merry lao christmas no. 1

expecting.

(a baby). oh crap!

merry marxmas

we didn't pay attention while getting our visas last summer, and now we have to make a last minute border run to laos to renew. this means communism for christmas.

constance finds this turn of holi-political events conspiratorial. personally, im thrilled:

never forget me i am nirodh

con posted this video back when she was in india in may. it is — in our opinions — an unlikely embodiment of everything brilliant and ridiculous about india.

con and i miss india a lot.. especially after the mumbai sadness. it's strange. this video sort of provides a glimpse why:

what starts here changes the world

thailand = trendsetters

tennis

Sam Holmes, aka the "Liberian Leptoceratops," helped his college team earn Texas On-Campus Club of the Year, and will play in nationals in Arizona. Congratulations, Brother!

the sky

smiled the other night in thailand.

our new friend da blogged about it.

christmas

this video, via constance, is very very well done:

two on the pad's trail o' destruction

link and link

meanwhile.. happy birthday to h.m. the king today. the closest i've ever had to living under a king is mr. rogers. this is more interesting.

here are a couple of the tributes we stand for and watch before all thai movies:

PAD quits

declares victory*. will leave government house and the airport. airport won't reopen for a week or two.

*if victory means devastating the thai tourism industry and international reputation. after breaking about a billion laws, wonder if any of the leaders or armed guards will face charges. but they got their guy, and at least they quit when they said they would.

glad it never got more violent than it did. credit to somchai and friends for showing some restraint (although i think most people wouldve understood if they did what was needed to clear out the airports).

somchai out (updated)

we hardly knew him...

still impressed that he outlasted our hospital stay. all sorts of analysis here.



the obvious question: will the PAD leave the airport? the sad answer: no. instead they've been emboldened. here's my favorite blogger:

"I just blogged before "PAD wanted Somchai gone has PM. Now, that he has gone, will they leave the airports? It is a rhetorical question as the answer is clear, no".

It was so predictable as The Nation reports:

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Somsak Kosaisuk on Tuesday vowed to continue rallying at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports and demanded the departure of the entire Cabinet.

Following the verdict on party disbandment, Somsak said the PAD would not allow the Cabinet to work in the caretaker capacity until the formation of the next government.

He said every minister must depart along with Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Of 36 Cabinet members, 22 are not affected by the party disbandment and can carry on in the caretaker administration.

BP: First, it was Samak must go, he goes and the PAD protests continue. Then, it is Somchai must go. He is gone now. Now, it is the entire Cabinet must go. If the entire Cabinet was to go then they would come up with some new condition etc. "