Saturday, September 23, 2006

All is Well

I was shocked and in disbelief at the events this week here in Thailand. I have lived here for almost 6 years and was coming here as a solier before then. I never would have thought that this would happen.

Maybe it's progress. But I somehow think it moves democracy here backwards. Now martial law is in effect though I am not experiencing any change in my life or how I have to live. It is really sad that things were allowed to go so far that it was felt that miliary intervention was required.

The prime minister was duly elected and many who said they are happy now that this occured voted for the person that was ousted. Corrucption and abuse of power, the public reasons given for the ousting militarily, are the norm here. From a director of a primary school to the head of the government.

I hope they made the right decision but they do need to take the word democracy from the form of government. If they don't trust the people to vote properly then maybe they need to educate people in politics and democracy. If things are wrong it should be brought up when it is known, not long after the fact.

I beleive it is the system needs to be changed not the person running it. But change is difficult and long help traditions die hard. Blaming the person will not change the system that allowed what he, according to the press, he was guilty of. What will happen next time somebody don't like the head of the government?

But life goes on. Outside of the circles the government doesn't affect daily life too much. But time will tell. I stilil live here and love it. It is still a great place for tourists to enjoy a relaxing vacation. And still the most dangerous place is on the roads as a driver or passenger.

My name is Darwin and this is my Theory.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Thai Cuisine Recipe - Tom Yam Goong

I love Thai cuisine. It is very spicey, complex yet simple. There is also a wide vaiety of dishes considered Thai. I love eating as well as cooking Thai food. I decided to share some Thai Cusines recipes with you. I hope you will read this and try making a few for yourself.

The first receipe I am going to share is also one of my favorites. The only problem you might have is finding all the correct ingredients in order to make it.

This dish is Prawn and Coconut Milk Soup - or - Tom Yam Goong in Thai.

Ingredients - What you need

  • 2 1/2 cups thin coconut milk
  • 4 slices galangal about .5 centimeters thick
  • 2 stalks lemon grass, bruised and cut into two 4 CM pience
  • 6-8 medium sized peeled raw prawns
  • 2-6 straw mushrooms cut in half
  • 2-7 small Thai chillies
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves with stalk removed
  • 1/2 cup thick coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon chilli paste
  • 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce

Preparations:

  1. turn burner on medium and place the thin coconut milk into wok. Add galangal and lemon grass. Bring to gentle boil, stir constantly.
  2. Add prawns and cook until tender.
  3. Add mushrooms then the think coconut cream, lime leaves, chillies and chilli paste. Cook another 4-5 minutes.
  4. Turn off heat then add lime juice and fish sauce. Do not cook the fish sauce and lime juice in the soup or the flavor will change.
  5. Serve hot

Eat hardily and enjoy til full. I hope you try it. The flavor is well worth the effort. Oh yeah it is usually eaten with white rice.

My name is Darwin and this is to your on stove success.