‘Rama Rajya’ in Thai domain

One of the decisions taken here to enhance India-Thailand ties is to set up a twin-city relationship between Port Blair and Phuket, given their proximity across the Andaman Sea. Another twin-city arrangement could be made between Kolkata and Bangkok, as both the cities seek to ban rallies. Civil rights activists here are up in arms against the Bangkok Governor’s decision to ban use of the Sanam Luang grounds next week to mark the 30th anniversary of the October 14 student uprising. Democracy advocates, trade unionists, farmers, students and artists have planned a huge demonstration to mark the bloody student protest in 1973 that local newspapers describe as ‘‘a landmark event of Thai democracy’’. The reasons for the ban? For one, the Governor thinks it will interfere with the city’s preparations for the APEC summit being held in Sanam Luang on October 19-20. And second, the demonstration will damage the freshly planted grass. A leading artist Wasan Sittikhet described the Governor as a bully and asked, ‘‘How can you compare the death of grass to the death of so many people fighting for democracy?’’

Holiday for a week, courtesy summit

Those who complain that India has too many government holidays should look at Thailand. The Thai government has declared a week-long public holiday (October 17-22) during the APEC summit to ease traffic congestion in this city known for its notorious traffic jams. But the holiday will not adversely affect the economy. In fact, it is expected to boost tourism with over 10,000 bookings made in the resorts of Phuket and Phangnga by local Thais keen to get away from the capital. Hotels, airlines and tour agencies are expected to make a killing, and so no one is complaining about one whole week away from work.