Dear Editor,
Who would have thought I would find myself living in the only major city in the world without an international airport?
What has happened in Bangkok over the last six months spans from the sublime to the ridiculous and the latest power play by the Peoples Alliance for Democracy has not only inconvenienced a large number of the very tourists the Thai economy relies on, but is also ensuring that 2009 is a very dark year for those of us who live and work here.
All that aside, I do feel that the article published today on News24 detailing the experiences of a Ms Diamond is, to say the least, unfair. To equate what has happened at the airport to the tragedy that befell Mumbai is, as far as I am concerned, far from the truth and nothing more than irresponsible, sensationalist rhetoric.
No tourists have been harmed nor will they be and although they deserve no credit what so ever, the PAD did go to the trouble of feeding and reassuring those trapped at the airport of their safety.
Further to that, no one has been detained, held hostage or abused by the protesters and have been free to move out of the airport compound. In regard to Ms Diamond's complaints regarding the South African Embassy here in Bangkok, it is not a large embassy and like the rest of the embassies in Bangkok, most notable the Australian one, and it is stretched far beyond capacity.
The Thai government has done what it can to mitigate this disaster and the Ministry of Tourism is seeking approval for $28m compensation package to aid in repatriation efforts. The government have opened a military airport for repatriation and all that can, both public and private sector, have assisted where possible to the best of their ability.
It is indeed embarrassing what has happened here and it is hard to look on the bright side in Ms Diamond's position but I ask everyone watching these event unfold to consider a similar hypothetical situation in South Africa before passing judgement and dishing out criticism.
Imagine if a local political party decided to take over Oliver Tambo? Can you imagine the carnage, the looting, the violence and the lack of assistance and action from out own government? With that chilling thought in mind, Bangkok ain't so dangerous after all, is it?
Jim Stent
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