RED VERSUS YELLOW IN THAILAND

On the political front, Thaksin Sinawatra (above left) remains the leader, albeit in absentia (now lives in Dubai, for he was deposed for corruption, but remains popular).  It's still Thaksin, PM #26, versus Abhisit Vejjajiva, PM #27 (above right, Oxford trained, Master in Economics, and all of 46), Red shirts and Pheu Thai Party for the former, yellow shirts and Democratic Party for the latter.

But the recent elections made Yingluck Shinawatra (above and right, Master in Political Science, Kentucky State University, 44) Thailand's 28th and first female Prime Minister.  It is said she is not a puppet of her brother, former PM Thaksin, she's more like a clone.  The latest word is that she will bring him home. With little doubt, Thaksin was said to be corrupt.   Yingluck certainly looks good and has no scandal stain. Not sure this is all that much different from America, but two-thirds of the current Yingluck cabinet are millionaires, no red-shirt leaders and three females.  Men favor her, while females and the Army, Abhisit.

King Bhumibol Adulyadez is Rama IX.  Rama IV was Mongkut, played by Yul Brynner in the King and I, while his son, Chulalongkorn, Rama V, carried on very well well, indeed.  Thus, I guess Bhumibol is the great great great grandson of Mongkut.  Now in this 66th year of reign, he is the longest ruling monarch still alive.  In comparison, Queen Elizabeth II is in her 60th year.  Sobhuza II of Swaziland ruled for almost 83 years, and passed away almost twenty years ago.  Unfortunately, King Bhumibol is seriously ill.  The following is a 2005 photo of him.

And this is one taken half a century earlier with Queens Sirikit and Elizabeth II, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on the left:

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Much of the world seems to be in drought.  This year, Bangkok has been drenched with 58% more rain than normal.  I thought the thunderstorms today were being caused by former Super Typhoon Nalgae, once up to 150 MPH, responsible for 76 deaths in the Philippines.  However, this storm barely is into Vietnam, but appears to be headed straight to Bangkok with even more moisture.  This monsoon season has already seen 224 deaths, the worst in half a century.

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