Thailand April 2010

Pro-government supporters are seen selling ribbons as they rally at a local park

Thai soldiers stand guard in front of a poster of their King

Make shift showers in the anti-government protesters' encampment

Anti-government protesters shout at their fellow protesters, asking them to stand down

Thailand is not the same anymore.

Unfortunately, the one place that I used to know as the friendly land of smiles has seem to lose out to the chaos and mess and political turmoil that has been ongoing for the past 3 years. Maybe more.

The whole thing seems like a bad musical, with no ending.

And we the press members are here to watch the story unfold and reveal its many many layers of 'what ifs', 'whens' and 'hows'.

I'll be here for at least another week, making it my third, as I continue to hunt for moments in what seems like a never ending story.

I promise to write more when I muster the energy. Hopefully soon.

Blast from the past and into the present.

2010, Red Shirts invade central BKK.

2006, Thaksin gets ousted.

Who would have thought that i'd get a chance to meet the lovely Pun again after 4 years and since she's all the way in Paris now?

But guess who showed up?

We couldn't help but take a past and present photo of ourselves as crazy protesters...

It's a little over the top but hey... This is "Amazing Thailand" afterall.

(:

Skype and the Nate

Pardon the bad camera quality but that's what you get from an eeePC with low megapixel camera.

Last night, I dragged Terence into the picture (literally) for a skype session with nate. He's here covering the Thai political story for the Straits Times and will be leaving for home pretty soon.

For the past couple of days when I speak to Nate on skype, he tells me he's busy or is watching TV and can't talk to me...

Last night, while Terence was on, he asked : "MYYYY daddy, when are you coming home? Can you come home now?"

So teasingly I ask: "What about me?"

Nate: "I only want my daddy."

I guess that's what you call male bonding. He didn't have to try.

Everyone that heard the conversation was trying to comfort me but actually I thought it was funny. That relationship I have with Nate, is called Tough Love... not so much Touch Luck.

(: He's hilarious. I love it!

Bangkok, Thailand April 2010

Here's my version of a scene from "Saving Private Ryan"..

This is a common sight now in Bangkok. It's really surreal being in the office or our hotel room and right beneath you, there are blasts going off.

The city is in a big mess and it just doesn't feel like the old Thailand anymore where the phrase "Land of Smiles" fit really well.

I've been here for a couple of weeks now and it doesn't look like we're going anywhere until these people decide what they want to do with their lives.

Such a pity, what a waste.

Love to all at home, and see you soon... whenever that is.

Thanks also for your messages. Things are ok here and we're keeping ourselves out of harms way as much as we can. The AP team here is wonderful and we're keeping our spirits up.

I love you 16

Me: I love you Nate.

Nate: I love you too.

Me: I love you more.

Nate: I love you most.

Nate: I love you 16.

Nate has just learnt that the numbers 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 are HUGE. So that's how he relates to quantity now.

Miss this face

This is one face I miss seeing. However, It's nice to be out shooting again in a different bureau/country. In the mean time, here's one from the "ShakeItPhoto" application on my iPhone... Very nice. Very Fun. I don't know how long more i'll be here but i'll try to catch up on my blog posts as much as I can when i'm back. (:

Nate down

Nate's down with HMFD. Two red spots at the back of his throat.

He's still a happy camper and enjoying his art.

Back to work for me and i'm looking forward to tomorrow when Dita comes to town!

WoooHOooo !!!! Hello Weekend!

Apple Stuffed Chicked Breast

Today I decided to try out the Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast for dinner.

Instead of simmering the browned chicken in white wine, I had to use beer because I only realised later that I had run out of vino blanco.

It was still yummy and the sauce was fragrant.

Dinner is served again.

Only a 134 calories a serving.

Will post recipe when I get a chance.

Milk baked cod fish with lemon pepper...

It's delicious, fragrant and easy to prepare.

Best part of it is that it's under 200kcals. YUMMMIER!

The lemon pepper gives your taste buds a good tangy sensation and even persons like me, who puke at the slightest hint at the taste of fresh milk, can enjoy this dish.

Dinner is served. Yum.