It's been more than a week since the US Embassy clumsily announced that Bangkok was in danger of a terror attack. I'm still dumbfounded at the complete lack of respect that has been shown to the general public. It's basically a guessing game with the media hamfistedly uncovering new snippets of information from one day to the next. Are we …
Jan 15, 2012
Bangkok terror 101
It has been a peculiar weekend in Bangkok. On Friday afternoon, the US Embassy issued a rather vague warning that there was the possibility of a terrorist attack being carried out in the Thai capital. The announcement came out of the blue and the Thai authorities were quick to downplay the warning, insisting that there was no threat and that …
Jan 13, 2012
US Embassy in Bangkok issues cryptic terrorism warning
This message alerts U.S. citizens in Thailand that foreign terrorists may be currently looking to conduct attacks against tourist areas in Bangkok in the near future. U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution when visiting public areas where large groups of Western tourists gather in Bangkok. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a heightened awareness when out in public; be …
Nov 14, 2011
How to help those affected by the Thailand floods
It's the eternal question of disaster response: How can aid agencies satisfy people's willingness to contribute with the relief effort? It seems to happen with every disaster in every country. People living in and out of the affected country want to do their bit to support those whose lives have been turned upside down. It's happening now in Thailand. People …
Nov 1, 2011
To Ayutthaya and back
Any Saturday that begins at 6 am is going to be a long one and this one, October 22, was to be no different. I was at the Plan Thailand office by 7 am and the day's work began immediately as we hauled 900 relief kits for flood-affected children and their families onto a large truck. We were heading to …