4 1/2 years ago in Bangkok - 2008

                                           Barricades outside Thailand Government House

      How time flies !  4 1/2 years ago, we had a thriving business in Thailand distributing test equipment from Germany. Now, we are distributing test equipment from Korea into Thailand, and although the going has been a little slow, I see tremendous upside to the future.

       During one of my trips in 2008, my then Sales Manager Tawatchai, brought me to witness firsthand People Politics in action. The "Yellow Shirts" or the popular movement helmed by several maverick businesspeople and tycoons decided to camp their supporters in the very Government House where the Puea Thai Party was holding office - or had the majority of the MPs in the Government. The then Prime Minister was a Mr. Somchai, who happened to be the brother-in-law of the ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was deposed in a coup de'tat.   

     The fractious nature of Thai politics while very interesting to watch from afar, has been ongoing for the last 6 to 7 years ever since Thaksin's Government was deposed. The current Government is run by his sister Yingluck who helms both the Puea Thai party and is the current Prime Minister democratically elected.

      I managed to sneak in to the protestors camp to take a look inside and it was a carnival. Lots of protestors had plenty of food, drink, and were entertained daily by numerous speeches fiery as well as entertaining and the camp-in occured for 4 months before, the situation took a turn for the worse in November 2008. The Yellow Shirts seized the 2 airports and there was fighting on the streets as the coup took effect. The Government was forced to resign,the whole country was in a state of shock as practically millions of visitors were denied exit and entry to Thailand for 7 days.

       It was a dramatic time for Thailand. 

   

Our excellent chicken rice - One of Singapore's National Dishes

Meritus Mandarin's Chatterbox Chicken Rice is a 

' die die must try dish'

        That Singapore is a foodie's paradise is without a doubt, we have so many great food establishments from Western to Oriental that one can literally sample the best of the world's cuisise at world class restaurants with Michelin stars to humble hawker fare serving fantastic local dishes in a span of 5 days.

        Here is the world famous Hainanese Chicken Rice. Made famous by Mandarin Hotel's Chatterbox cafe. The chicken is boiled for several hours and the pieces of meat are moist and soft, giving the impression that it melts in your mouth. Condiments like the Chllli sauce, Black sauce and finely ground ginger accentuate the taste. The chicken rice is also specially prepared with the sesame oil mixed into the rice to give it the unique flavour.

       The price for a set meal at Mandarin's Chatterbox is a pricey S$ 27 ++ (US$ 25) making it a gourmet meal on par with many Western dishes in terms of price. 

      Give me my Chicken Rice any day !!  

Happy Easter

                                               To all my Christian friends, a Happy Easter

       Easter to many people in this world is another holiday after Good Friday, but to Christians around the world this is the most celebrated day, after the birth of Christ. Of course, in Rome, the newly elected Pope (Francis) will give the Easter blessings  through the service to the many millions who have turned up or watched it over the TV.

     Some 2013 less 33 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth was hung on the cross at the place called Golgotha, Calvary or the Skull (depending on which interpretation of the Bible). Though blameless of any crime, he was put to death by none other than the people he came to save, throught their ignorance and jealousy.

     After 3 days, he rose from the dead, and was witnessed by a multitude of people including Mary Magdelene and the 11 disciples  for a few days after that (Judas had fled by that time). 

     So, his rebirth and resurrection has given many Christians cause for hope and celebration, for they serve a risen Savior. So, to my Christian friends, Happy Easter !!  

Thoughts during a really balmy Sunday afternoon

                                 Under the shade of a really beautiful Flame of the the Forest

Today is 24th March, Sunday. Palm Sunday to be concise. Its a really humid afternoon, and the best thing to do is to write a post. It is not practical to snooze, as one would wake up in a pool of sweat, and feeling dehydrated too (sleeping burns calories too).

 In the book of Mark, Jesus has said, " So I tell you, whatever you have asked for in prayer,believe that you have received, and it will be yours".  (Chap 11, vs 24). This is a truly inspiring verse, and I take comfort that during these tough economic times, things will surely turn out well for me. 

Times are very tough for small and medium sized companies these 2 years, what with the global economy still very weak, increased wages for foreign workers (I have 1 foreign staff), rentals as well as  a very poor 6 months output from the sector my company is serving - manufacturing. 

Lets keep a steady head and pray for better times. For surely they will come.

   

Common Singlish Phrases and Modifiers

                    Like my school friends (all who turned 50 last year), born and bred in Singapore,
                             Singlish is the one of the unifying aspects of life which bond us together, 
                                              regardless of where we might be in the world


Doctor
---------
'Hey, Ah Beng ! Long time no see ! How's the job ?'

Patient (Ah Beng)
--------------------------
'Wah ! Cannot Tahan lah ! Boss always Tekan me.
I work hard, cannot Jiat Juah, damn Sian
He's blur like sotong, also Kan Cheong Spider
So make me Gabra
I damn stress, cannot sleep, so I go and have a drink
When I go home, Gostan my car , kena Langga
So now, got sleep problem, neck pain and Bengkok Bumper !

Doctor
---------
Chill man, here, take  something to calm your nerves, MC 2 days OK ?    

If you have no clue what Ah Beng is saying, you are in good company. Singlish is spoken by native Singaporeans or those who have lived here for a good part of their lives. It is the patois which is tossed around as casual pigdin English spoken by the 'locals'. Many of us slip into this whenever we come together in a casual or informal setting such as Chinese New Year's, office parties, drinks with golfing khakis (mates) and friends, and of course, the Army Reservist training. The 2 and a half years wearing Green Army fatigues throws all 18 year old boys into the army field doing all kinds of different vocations with all kinds of educational levels and language skills mixed up, so you will have an 'A' level graduand mixing with boys who have only Primary or Secondary education. Added to that, instructions are sent in Malay during marching drills and you have an education of Singlish 101 for the 2 and a half years. 

Top 12 words and Phrases in Singlish
------------------------------------------------------

Wah Lau !   (My old ...!)    Exclaimation meaning Golly Gee ! in a negative connotation
Tahan     :   Take it or cope with   (Malay)
Cannot Tahan : Cannot cope (with the situation or person)  (Malay English)
Tekan     :   Bully or applies verbal pressure in a condecending manner (Malay 'to hit')
Jiat Juah :  (Eat snake literally)   To relax and chill at work  (Hokkien)
Sian         : State of ennui or lack of motivation  (Hokkien but slang)
Blur like Sotong :  Confused or slow to catch on, like sotong (squid) ; no direct translation
Kan Cheong Spider : (Anxious, Jumpy) Spider - another modifier  (Hokkien)
Gostan   : merging of 2 words, Go astern or move backwords, becomes Gostan (English)
Kena Langga  : Get into an accident (Malay)
Bengkok : Bent (Malay).
Gabra    :   Going in all directions

Modifiers and Phrase Compressors
--------------------------------------------------

Ok 'Lah', Lor  -  The intonation upper, lower length of expanding the lah also has meaning 
                           showing the satisfaction (lah), nonplussed or indifference (Lor), 
                           displeasure (soft lah) or even distate (strong lah)  is a direct answer to the 
                           common greeting "Whats up ?" or " How are you ? "

No 'Lah', 'Leh' -  Strong lah shows firm 'No'. Weak lah shows an undecided no, 'Leh' is                                 
                            an affront to counter the questioner's doubt, when the person answering  
                             herself is not convinced that it is 'No'.

'No need lah' -  Firm no nonsense 'No', to show who's boss.

'Never mind ba' - A touchy never mind, bordering on disappointment

There are literally dozens of phrases and words to simplify the English language, Singlish is a practical albeit pariochial form which is concise, with grammar and very unfying when used  in a casual setting with friends.


" Tonight got Man U versus Barcelona, come I give you half ball ! "    

  ????? 

Seize the Day.     




   

Ma Boon Krung, Bangkok.

                                             Super Long 'Tuk Tuk' outside the MBK Center
                                                                       
  

                During a recent trip to Bangkok some 2 weeks ago, I stayed at the Ma Boon Krung (MBK) area, and was pleasantly surprised that it was a shopper's paradise for people looking out for inexpensive bargains for Jeans,Cargo Pants, T-shirts (print Ts, embroided and iron - on but good fakes), perfumes (also fakes), Thai souvenirs (woodcraft, ivory and crystals), costume jewellry and trinkets. There is another famous market called Chatuchak Market which is normally opened on weekends which is a great draw for tourists from the world over. I have never ventured there, preferring to go to the Chatuchak Park, in the middle of the business district of Rachadaphisek and Lat Phrao for my morning runs. The place is full of tourists and locals alike and there is a Ma Boon Krung station which makes the area very accessible. 

                                                   MBK fight night every Wednesday

                

               Every Wednesday there would be a Muay Thai boxing exhibition match, so for holiday makers, tourists and locals, this is the place  for inexpensive Thai food, shopping and even Thai style massages. Do give Ma Boon Krung a visit the next time you are in Bangkok. 

            
                  Amazing Street vendor performing on the 'drums' made of only 
                                            plastic and metal drums
                               

Singlish, grammatically wrong but direct in meaning

        For many years Singaporeans have been criticised for using syntactically, grammatically incorrect English, collectively called Singlish and we have been injecting Hokkien (Chinese dialect group from Fujian province), Malay, Indian and even mish-mash of English words without the proper grammer, to make our point.

       Yes, the leaders of our country are  expected to speak  Queen's English, but we are not Royals are we ? We are ordinary people relating to ordinary people around us, and in a fast -paced society whereby the fastest as well as most direct form of communication has its uses, hence Singlish.

      Look at the video above, even the Americans are mimicking this form of language. Its  
the global village adapting to the challenges of everyday life. Long live Singlish !