Thailand
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Buddhism
Written from heart
Shook my head, what a mega embarrassment for Malaysian prime minister, Najib Razak. The general election is around the corner, Malaysians are eager for the official announcement by Najib, yet typical of politicians and government, you’ll never get a straight answer from the clowns. The government, political parties and politicians have been busy, giving out financial aid to Malaysians, making pledges that everyone knows would only cater to the elite few and talking rots from every corner of the country. As for Chinese New Year, the government brought in South Korea’s K-Pop entertainer, PSY , to perform for the crowd. After watching the video, I can’t help but wonder why Najib or his Melayu-licking cronies are eager to stay in power. They are obviously unpopular among Malaysians, with the exception when you’re throwing money at them.
This week, Jotman's Fox News Award* goes to CNN for its special investigation into something called “food stamp fraud.” Essentially, that's when impoverished Americans use their food stamps (these days a government-issued debit card) to pay for stuff that’s not food-related groceries. Some people use the cards to buy cigarettes, alcohol and — according to the CNN report -- condoms. (Can't have the government making it possible for poor Americans to practice birth control!). The grocery store sometimes gets a kick-back for misuse of the card.
Thailand
Koh Talu There are several types of expats in Thailand, the corporate employees in Bangkok and the already wealthy who come to live a life that’s even grander then they could afford from wherever they came. They exist in a world of TV reality, sequestered in gated compounds of luxury villas, served by live in maids, chauffeured around the city to well covered events in Mercedes. In a country with a staggering rate of poverty they vacation at exclusive resorts on privately owned islands, these are the expats the government loves. Then there are the pensioned retirees; hordes of aged men from Europe, England, Australia and America come to live their days out measuring their retirements glass by glass of cheap beer. They are often married to Thai women from poor backgrounds and set up in their home villages elevating the entire extended family to a level of modest upper middle class.
Living in Thailand: Too much fun off the tourist track