Total death toll is now over 44,000. 62,000. 68,000. 120,000. 135,000. Thailand 4500 confirmed dead. About half of them foreign tourists. Another 6500 are still missing. Even when we’re facing the atrocity ourselves, the country still has the mind to set up a fund to help our neighbor Indonesia. King Bhumibol made his yearly New Year television address: “Yet this incident demonstrates the compassion of everybody in the Kingdom, be they civilians or soldiers. They are in harmony and feel compassion for others. They are determined to live in peace. They don’t leave others in the face of disaster. They...
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Natural Fighter Almost a week after possibly the catastrophic tragedy the country, and while relief workers are doing their best on other beaches, one Thai lady and a few tourists show us that life goes on. They’re back on the beach to resume their daily lives. In a true Buddhist way, Mrs. Yupin, the lone masseuse on Phuket’s recovered Kata Beach, said: ”We are born once and die once. We are not worthy of living if we are lazy and do not pay our own way,” she said. ”Even if another huge wave comes while I am massaging, I won’t...
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A few ways to help. All Areas Affected You can donate directly online to the Red Cross International Response Fund. This fund will help all the countries that are affected. USAID also has a list of other international organizations working in the areas. Thailand For the Thai Community in the United States and American friends who wish to donate money for various relief operations in Thailand, the Royal Thai Consulates in LA and DC are accepting donations now. You can either: Make check payable to The Royal Thai Consulate General, Los Angeles, on the memo line please write “Donation Fund...
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Over 23,000 death toll so far for the entire region. Thai press confirms the death of the King’s grandson, Khun Poom Jensen, the autistic son of Princess Ubolrattana. Princess Ubolrattana married Peter Jensen, a San Diego business man, some 20 years ago, and was disowned by Thai royal family. About 10 years ago, she opened her San Diego home to a Thai magazine, and introduced her family to the people. Thais fell in love with her charming Thai-American children, 2 girls and a boy. Eventually the royal family embrace the Jensens and welcome the Princess back. In 1999, the Princess...
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The 9.0 earthquake in Indonesia sent tsunami into the southern islands of Thailand. A lot less damaged in Thailand than in Sri Lanka and southern India. My family is safe and sound. My dad and brother were both in Bangkok when this happened, and my mom is in a much safer place even, in the hills of Chiangdao in Chiangmai province. I don’t have the official report yet, but I’m pretty sure the hotel that my dad designed, and we stayed at in 1999, Thavorn Beach Village, were hit as well. The Malasian geologist also warns of possible eruption of...
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I haven’t watched so much television in a long time. I parked myself on the couch all day yesterday and watched movies on DVD, movies on Demand, and whatever movies were on television. I fell in love all over again with the charming and witty Hugh Grant in my 500th watching of “Love Actually”, and the first time watching “2 Week Notice”. That smile. That sense of humor. Those eyes. Then I caught myself swooning over Colin Firth in “Love Actually” even though I can’t really say what makes him so dreamy. Partly the accent. Partly his being a little...
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