Thai politics and the election campaign came to Phana today in the form of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva. We learned this because we have one of Pensri's relatives staying with us in England at the moment. Her name is Prem, but not THAT Prem, of course. Prem telephoned her mother in Phana this morning. Her mother is rather deaf so she actually spoke to her brother and he said that their mother had not only met the Prime Minister at Wat Phra Lao this morning, but she had kissed him! This seems a very unusual step to take, perhaps especially for a 79-year-old woman, but politics is a strange game and anyone can play.
It seems that Khun Abhisit went to pay his respects at Wat Pra Lao and stayed to join others in offering lunch to the monks and eating with people of Phana in the sala garn parien. About a thousand people turned up to meet him apparently, although his visit was only announced by word of mouth more or less at the last minute for security reasons. But there was not a red shirt in sight, we were told.
Our friend Add offered Khun Abhisit a copy of Pensri's 'History of Phana', but he said he had already read it. Add should have known this because he was present when Pensri gave a copy for him to our local MP Suthat Ngernmuen last year, as you can read about HERE. But Add said that the PM had clearly "done his homework" as far as Phana and its history were concerned.
Exciting and so wonderfully Thai! Glad he had read the book. Hope to bring Monty to Phana one day!
Posted by: Nicki | 29 May 2011 at 01:07 AM
Hi, Ncki. I'm sure Phana will be even more keen to see you and Monty. Pensri and I will be, certainly.
Posted by: Lawrence | 29 May 2011 at 04:03 AM