Museum Musings

Friday 1st February

Today I moved from my lodgins on Khao San to Ram Buttri. This is only 3 minutes away, but it is a much quiter place. I'm paying slightly more for a slightly better room, but it is still less than 13 euro a night.

After moving I went off to the National Museum. I think I enjoyed this more than the Grand Palace or any of the Wats. The museum was like all others, loads of artefacts etc, and some good information on the history of Thailand. It didn't allow any photos though, which is annoying but understandable.

The history of Thailand is very unusual. There are some interesting early conflicts with all their neighbours and some great tales of battles. If half of what they say about Prince Narsuan is true, he is the original Rambo (he used to literally lead from the front, taking out enemy elephants single handed).

Then came contact with Europe. Somehow they managed to avoid colonisation from Europe and had good trading links with them. As they got on, they modernised at a pace almost matching Europe. By the time of Rama V (I think he is The King and I one), which was at the same time as Victoria in England, he had toured Europe and brought back all sorts of ideas with him. They had telegraphs and trams almost at the same time as we did. They were quite advanced at the time. No idea what happened to set it back, but there is a big gap in the history from 1932-1946 (literally I saw no mention of it in the museum) so I guess this era set them back. The current king came to the throne then and he too was instrumental in modernising the place.

Its easy to see why the Thai love their royal family so much. He, unlike at lot of leaders, actually took the trouble of learning everything he needed to know about running a country. There probably isn't as qualified a leader in the world. He has multiple degrees in politics, law etc, and he seems to be an expert in a load of things. And he does get involved when he thinks its necessary. For example, he set up some of the school curriculum to ensure they were all well educated.

Anyway after the history exhibits I had to rush a bit around the rest of the artefacts, this wasn't a problem, there are only so many Buddhas you want to see. But there were also some good Hindu exhibits, a lot of Vushnus and Sivas, but not enough Ganesha. The museum was closing at 4 and therefore I only had 2 1/2 hours in it, 3 would have been better.

That evening my drinks were with some local Thai computer programmers on their weekly Friday night drinks. I know, it sounds like I miss this ritual so much I had to crash one but they just happened to be sitting next to me. I was planning an early night with a trip early in the morning but it didn't quite work out that way (again).

The guys worked for a telecoms company and were all interested in what languages we used in Ireland etc. They were right up to date using VB.Net and Windows XP. We had a wide ranging discussion about the differences between our countries in religion, politics and social conditions (you know - all the topics you really shouldn't talk about in the pub). The guys were not a fan of the new government, puppets for the old one, and we had a good laugh about who has the most corrupt Prime Minister. They win by a mile (Thaskin Shiniwatra took billions from the country, Bertie ain't is his league).

One of the guys (can't spell or pronouce his name for the life of me) I was talking to seemed to be involved in some sort of opposition political party. His goal is to increse social welfare. They do have some, deaf and blind people get special education, and the army veterans get full medical cover like in the States, but he said it was all thanks to the King. What he wants to do is extend it to sick pay and maternity leave etc. So I told hime how long people get in Ireland and they were very surprised. I told him to meet a few Swedes and talk to them, he'll be even mor surprised.

The most interesting thing was how well these guys are paid, 2-3000 dollars per month. When we compared beer and other prices we decided that their salary was probably better than mine! And that is why at the end of the night they would not let me pay my share of the bill. Probably only about 4 euro but they insisted on paying. Definitely raises my opinion of Thai people.