Reporter in Exile

Red in the Land for Soggy Isan Songkran

Toyota is Good for Songkran!

Returning to Bangkok tomorrow, but for now still enjoying my first visit to Khon Kaen, the metropolitan, economic and educational capital of the sprawling northeast provinces that comprise "Isan." It's also a red shirt stronghold and a lot of locals are showing their colors this Songkran.

Although I'm in another city at the moment (With 140,000 people Khon Kaen ~about Pasadena-sized), Isan is the kind of place that gives the impression of "The Real X" that people like to express when getting upcountry anywhere. Certainly Bangkok -- an International City -- is another world and as representative of "The Real Thailand" (whatever that means) as Marrakesh was of Morocco.

Easy adjectives to sling -- livelier, more colorful, more tacky, more loud, less uptight (saying a lot, this being Thailand) and more personality. "Read More" for the rest of this post.

The View from Afar

Beginnings. The Lede. Introductions. Establishing a tone and picking a wind to the narrative threads.

I've started this blog many times. My past year has been densely populated with places, people and instructive experiences. Continents and kings.

Starving to begin. So instead of setting a discursive, loquacious place setting, let's eat. All shall dribble from the corners of my mouth in time.

Some basic facts: I'm an expat living in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally from Los Angeles, where I was a staff reporter at several newspapers. I'm an economic and cultural refugee. I've dropped anchor in Bangkok, Thailand after a stint in Morocco. Too damn French there.

This blog might provide a window into life as an expat. It could bore you with rants and musings. There could possibly be chatter about all manner of profanities that appeal to this geek, from algorithms to Zoroastrianism. Pre-emptive apologies should I discuss the games I play.

Expect to see a lot of Thai politics - compelling stuff. Especially with everything going on at the moment. I'll provide a primer for those who are intrigued by such things.

Speak of the moment, I'm soaking follicle-pinching cold from my employer's aircon in the heart of Bangkok, not far from Patpong's infamy and Lumpini Park's Cretaceous-era monitor lizards. Psychologically preparing myself to step out into the world. A world where Our Friend Mr. Sun sits mercilessly about 10 feet off the beam. (Actually let's say three meters, because I'm so painfully erudite and international now.)

Heading to the Foreign Correspondent's Club where the "National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship" aka the red-shirts are holding an impromptu conference to preview their much-delayed and overly hyped plan for street demonstrations to commence March 14.  Anything could still happen.  Remember Thailand is like a pigeon, always couping.