Deposed Thai PM Earns a Degree, Loses a Bundle to Moscow Thieves

Thailand's globe-trotting deposed leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, garnered an academic honor by visiting Moscow this week, but lost thousands of dollars and his passport when he stopped at a McDonald's in the Russian capital. Thaksin, who has been living in exile since a coup last year ousted him as prime minister, had entrusted his briefcase to an aide sitting at a nearby table as they had a meal on Monday, said his lawyer, Noppadol Pattama, in a phone interview with The Associated Press in Bangkok. When the party got up to leave, they found that Thaksin's briefcase, with his passport and about US $9,200 worth of money in US and Russian currency, had been snatched.

Thaksin was in Moscow to accept an honorary degree in science from the Plekhanov Russian Economic Academy. Noppadol said the Thai Embassy in Moscow had helped Thaksin, issuing him a new passport and other temporary travel documents. Thai government agencies are not usually so helpful to Thaksin. Several months after Thaksin was toppled, the Thai Foreign Ministry canceled his diplomatic passport, which former prime ministers are normally allowed to carry as a special privilege. He is slated to be a guest lecturer at Tokyo's Takushoku University, where he will give a talk on July 5, Japanese press reports said Thursday. He expected to talk about Asian business-economic models, based on his experience in the private sector, reported the Kyodo News Service. (AP)

I did go back expecting to salvage our relationship, only to find Lena had been telling lies to get me to give her money to cover gambling debts. She was losing thousands of dollars a month playing a game I've never heard of, and know of no similar game in the West. I have always feared that when the money ran out, the love would also, and this proved me right. She is having liver problems, but for the week we thought it was cancer, it became clear that she does not get any solace from our relationship....she spent the whole week visiting friends alone. Not surprising, but telling. Once we had gone to the expensive clinic and knew it wasn't cancer, I had to tell her she would have to use the government hospital for treatment, because I was out of money and couldn't continue to pay the clinic. That's when it became clear she was only after money. I spent the rest of the trip alone. It's unfortunate that I didn't pull the plug earlier but Lena is only part of the lifestyle I enjoy there. I do love the food and the people, and the weather and the Buddhist culture....if not for all those things I'd have stopped this a long time ago. That's what makes the friend across the street an interesting prospect, because it would allow me to continue my relationship with Thailand. She's a hard worker, and well-situated within the community, just very poor. But her needs are modest especially compared to Lena, she has a 6 year old son, and lives in a 6 home complex with her Mother and 4 sisters. Quite the extended family. They all gather for dinner nightly, makes about 20 when everyone (kids included) attends. They gave me good advice about the proper way to handle this (and other) situations with Lena, I deeply appreciate their care and concern for me. If I'd received half the care from Lena that I got from them, I'd still be trying to stay with her.
And it's not $7K month, it's $7K total. I phrased it as per month, meaning I'd like to get it done asap. Of course, unless I really want to pursue the neighbor, there's no hurry to give her another dime.
I've already shaved my head again, as I really like it. I had grown it back out when Lena complained. Now I don't care about that particular opinion. And my lady friend likes it too.
It's off to the classified ads next. I'm wide open to possibilities, as a career change is in order. It would be best if I can find something that is either temp or seasonal, I'd like to keep a few months for Thailand (potentially) and a few for taxes (I don't want to give up $10K/month, yeah that's what I make those 3.5 months)...hey there's an idea: let's all pay taxes four times a year instead of once! Then I could work year-round!

I'm in Taipei, on the way home. Negotiated the divorce settlement this morning. $7K will end this once and for all.

I don't regret the Thai adventure one bit, though. And spent some time these last few weeks chatting up the single lady across the street.....the one with the beautiful smile, and the same one who has repeatedly asked me if I have brothers or friends that are just like me to be her boyfriend....so I may be back there sometime in the future. She's certainly got more sense of responsibility than Lena, and a steady job too, as administrator of the village, part of the county government.

Ironically, my immersion in the language was beginning to pay off this trip. I can actually chat about some subjects in Thai now. I will miss my daughter-in-law and granddaughter....they went out of their way to try to make up for Lena's disappearances.

More soon on Thai/US adventures. For now, anyone know where I can get a job that pays about $7K US per month?