Thai Tension

I received a phone call from a friend intending to travel to Thailand.

"Is it safe?" She was scared of the riots, the political uncertainty, and the border confrontation with Cambodia.

"Safe? It's safer than New York." This didn't mean much to the woman. She was a professor at Duke. The last time that school made headlines was for the Lacrosse team supposedly raping a stripper. "I'll explain it this way. The only reason people died in the demonstration was because the police used crappy Chinese teargas bombs. The Prime Minister has no one on his side. He'll have to resign in favor of another flunkie of the deposed PM Thaksin. The border skirmishes won't effect farangs, unless you're traveling to Angkor Wat. The greatest danger is Thai drivers who sometimes confuse recklessness with bravery."

"Thanks for the information." She sounded a little less worried, but then I added, "Not that it matters but Thai gamblers are headed to Burma, instead of Cambodia. They don't trust the Khmer croupiers in the present climate."

"I don't intend on gambling." She was heading to Thailand to speak with Buddhist monks about their treatment of emotional disturbed people.

"Good, because those casinos are no good." I don't gamble at all, unless it's driving drunk. "Have a good time."

Meanwhile I'm staying in New York for a few more months.

I don't know if I can stand more.