The few little fish from the once-mighty river represented the entire morning's catch of a local woman from Tha Bo in Nong Khai province. At what should have been a prime spot for fishing, where the Huay Mong River meets the Mekong River, she pulled out less than a kilogramme of fish.
Sweden is a country accustomed to long, dark days of winter. There are some days in the half-year season where Swedes in northern regions see no daylight at all. At its balmiest, July, temperatures in the country climb to an average of 18 degrees Celsius (that's sweater weather in Bangkok).
On an isthmus on the west coast of Denmark there is a little fishing port named Hvide Sande (White Sands). A fitting name; sand and hardy grasses cover the whole isthmus some 30 kilometres long and often only a kilometre wide. The few trees and bushes bend permanently eastwards, whipped by the constant western wind. Not much agriculture. Some sheep, that's all.
At first glance, most villagers were happy with a pilot project of a water grid system proposed back in 1999 for Nong Phue sub-district of Khon Kaen province, even if there was not much consultation or opportunity for them to give their input. After listening to the promotional campaign from Irrigation Department officials, they believed they would be much better off.
SOUL Searching
Barely a few months after this column forecast that one day Jews would have to apologise to the Palestinians, a dissident Jewish peace activist has suggested that an Israeli President or Prime Minister do just that, and even drafted an "historic speech" that could be delivered on the occasion.
COMMENTARY
In Chapter 19:16-24 of Matthew's Bible, a rich young ruler asked Jesus: "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." Then the young man asked, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not commit murder; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honour your father and mother; and you shall love your neighbour as yourself." The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
EDITORIAL
Stem cell therapy is a small but rapidly increasing component of Thailand's booming medical tourism sector, and there have been a number of well-publicised success stories to come out of it. For instance, the Hollywood producer who was treated with adult stem cells for congestive heart failure in Bangkok earlier this year. Before, said the producer, he had trouble walking six feet without oxygen. Soon after treatment he was walking six miles with no problem.
IN SIGHT
The works of Chinese-born painter Professor Xie Tianhong are praised and respected in his native country and throughout the world, kept at art institutes and museums, presidential palaces and the private collections of celebrities, dignitaries and world leaders. He is happily living in comfort and honour in Thailand, his adopted second home.
POSTBAG
Many are describing Thailand's system of government as not being "democratic". What do they wish to put in its place? Do they suggest the UK system, of an elected dictatorship?
