Sivaporn poses with Thailand's New Constitution of 2550 (2007) which has just been signed and enacted by His Majesty King Bhumipol.

General elections have been set for December 23, 2007, arousing some general protests from the local foreign community who fear that they will not be able to drink alcoholic beverages on Christmas Eve since every election day is an "alcohol free" day.

Hopefully, with the elections and a new government, Sivaporn will be released from his dual job as Senator and Minister of Parliament and go back to work full time with the various foundations around February 2008.

Khun Sathit and Khun Thanom prepare steaks, ribs and roast pork for Dr. Sumet's "in absentia" Birthday Party Barbeque. Khun Sathit also arranged the delicious salads and corn cobs, while Nong Pat prepared the mouth watering mushroom soup starter and apple pie dessert with Hagen Das vanilla ice cream topped with freshly whipped cream.

Khun Sasinee Phattayakul and her friends at Khun Thongchai Lamsam's daughter's wedding at the Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

Rama IX Art Museum Foundation -Board Meeting

Sivaporn, M.R. Chakrarot Chitrabongs, Privy Councilor Rear Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj (Chairman), and M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula (Vice-Chairman) seriously hold the Annual Board of Directors Meeting over dinner at the Shintaro Japanese Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel.

We all go down to our electorial district to vote on the nationwide referendum to "Accept"or "Reject" the Draft Constitution of 2550 (2007 AD). Over 14 million Thai vote "Yes" and over 10 million vote "No". Most people are surprised at this outcome: that although the referendum passed acceptance and there will be general elections for a democractic goverment on December 23, 2007, there was a great number of "No"s. Many people think this is an indication that there are still a lot of people enamoured with Thaksin and the Thai Rak Thai Party and that Thaksin holds a great number of the mass in sway. My analysis is that the "No" votes comprised of 5 groups: 1. Thaksin and TRT supporters 2. Those that still want Buddhism enstated as the state religion in the Draft Constitution. 3. Those who have a beef with one or more points in the Draft Constitution and those who generally would vote "NO" on any issue because they feel they have made a statement rather than going along with the crowd (as it was generally expected that the referendum would pass acceptance). 4. Those who hate anything military and objected because they though the Draft was done by the military. 5. Those who feel that military rule is fine for Thailand under the present condition and are afraid of the outcome of any general elections, knowing who the political players are and the dismal choices available, therefore they don't want any New Constitution or elections.
Group 3 represents the greatest percentage of "No"s. For Bangkok, where Group 1 is small. the large 40% "No", in my opinion comes mainly from Group 3. Whereas for Buriram, where the "No"vote was to win, in my opinion Group 3 turned around and voted "Yes" so as not to go with the grain and led to the surprising "Yes" winning Buriram. So don't be awed of Group 1.'s influence from the results of the referendum. Another observation: Ballot design and layout should have had the "Yes" box on the right side and the "No" on the left, since most people have an increased tendency to check the right box no matter what the subject is all about.

With the Toyota Fortuner in the garage for the 60,000 km statutory check-up, the Mazda RX-8 parks in my usual parking space in front of Parliament for today's parliamentary session.

Dr. Sumet enjoys a brief moment of relaxation at La Grande Perle restaurant serenaded by two fillipino singers (one from The Terrace Oriental Hotel and the other from Kirimaya Khao Yai), before proceeding on another gruelling day: up at 4 AM, fly to Hat Yai, two speeches morning and afternoon, fly back Bangkok for Black Tie Charity Concert in the evening.

Khun Bussakorn's father, Chalerm Sri-ngam passed away yesterday, aged 90. We went to the religious ceremonies at Wat Pra Srimahathat.

Mom gets a garland from the waitress at the Mayflower Chinese Restaurant where we took her to have a Dim Sum lunch for Mother's Day. At the table nearby, Newin Chidchob and his family were celebrating H.M. the Queen's 75 th Birthday by wearing red T shirts emblazoned "We Vote No", a clear indication of how he will vote on the referendum to accept/reject the new Draft Constitution.

Khun Suthas and family donates two elephants to Her Majesty the Queen for Her Majesty to release them on the Occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary this December 5, 2007. The ceremony coincides with the Celebrations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 75th Birthday on August 12, 2007 which is "Mother's Day" since Queen Sirikit is called "Mother of the Nation".
Middle photo shows Khun Suthas and some of the wild boar which he had previously donated to the Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary, Lopburi, where the ceremonies were held.
Bottom photo: As we drive into the Sublangka Wildlife Sanctuary, Khun Thanom rides the pickup.

We enjoy some noodles at "Ros Dee Det" at Siam Square, a place we haven't been to in 20 years but it still tastes as good as before. Then we watch the special showing of the classic movie "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleft, and the ugly Eli Wallach at the Lido Theatre, Siam Square. The full audience laughs like crazy watching this great movie, when all the nuances, detailed photography and matching soundtrack are experienced on the big screen.

Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, (Chairman of Hydro and Agri Informatics Institute), Dr. Yongyuth Yuthawong, (Minister of Science and Technology), and Khun Meechai Viravaidhya of PDA announce the King's Cup and Princess Sirindhorn's Cup for local communities's water resources projects.

Chaow and Kerhn's wedding at the Author's Lounge, Oriental Hotel.