An interesting time to be in Bangkok
Author: Mike Holt - Added Apr 14, 2009
I've just returned from a 5 week trip to Thailand, in support of Simon's efforts there to build our base of clients and collaborators in Bangkok.
We've been planning and working towards establishing a presence there for 2 years now, as part of our goal to eventually offer services throughout Asia. Present events, both global and in Thailand don't help much and certainly require adjusting our timetable. Having said that, I'm frequently annoyed at the breathless media reports of what is going on in Thailand. While there is political trouble, and this sometimes turns into violent confrontation, these are usually very localised and 99% of the city and country get on with their daily routine. The press shows up at an event, point a camera at an angry man, or a reacting policeman, then offer headlines such as "Bangkok in chaos" or something similarly outlandish. My other point is that the Thais are an amazingly hospitable people who are genuinely sweet to foreigners, and especially to paying tourists. While their domestic political passions may run strongly, they still have no malice at all towards foreigners. I know this for a fact, as last Saturday, I was inadvertently caught up in the Red Shirts post-protest rally. I was out walking about town in Pattaya, when the boulevard filled with trucks and buses crammed with cheering protesters, returning from their successful Asean Summit bust-up.They debussed ahead of me, and I was caught up amongst them... picking my way through the gathering crowds. Most ignored me, some smiled and a few waved their flags at me. There was not a single look or gesture of hostility, and I simply passed through them and kept walking. I was irrelevent to their issues. Chris Carter, MP, may feel it prudent to tremble within his hotel room and wait for the Ambassador's all-clear signal, but I suggest that he get out on the street, walk around, take some photos and see for himself that its an emerging democracy going through its proper birthing in the glare of international news cameras, unlike our own... and with considerable more civility.
While it is tough to establish an office abroad when you're an SME and especially when going through the same recessionary pressures as many other firms right now, I think its important to hold fast to our goals. Future clients, government agencies and possible funding parties, not to mention our own people, will see that we're committed and steadfast. This will leave us well positioned for when conditions improve.
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