absolutelyBangkok archive · Politics
Originally published Dec. 21, 2008
Poseidon was the Greeks’ god of the sea and, as “Earth-Shaker,” of earthquakes.
Poseidon is also a Bangkok icon of the other kind. But first: For observers interested in Thai politics there wouldn’t be much sense of direction without the takes of Bangkok Pundit, a “complete political junkie” who’d “rather listen to ASTV 24/7″ than writing about non-politics, as he once told me.
In a latest post on the Abhisit I cabinet line-up, quietly deploring the quality we once again get, there’s a juicy reference posted by a commentator: “The more interesting choice is Pornthiwa Nakasai at Commerce. Supposed owner, or daughter of the owner, of Poseidon. Maybe we’ll have another bubble economy.” Now what does that tell us.
A quick Google search reveals some bits and pieces about Pornthiwa of the Phum Jai Thai party, the reformed Matchima Thipataya. She has a background in the entertainment business, says The Nation, discreetly. The Post claims Mrs. Pornthiwa’s background includes running the Poseidon massage parlor in Bangkok.
An “entertainment” background to head the Ministry of Commerce with no direct experience of her portfolio may give a direction where Thailand is heading into under Abhisit I. There’s hope? Khun Pornthiwa may positively surprise us as an anti-Purachai promoting a less strict understanding of the former’s strict social order.
Luckily Poseidon is not only producing soapy bubbles and such. It’s a most professionally run industry leader serving as a sample for others of how to successfully run an “entertainment complex.” But what about commerce you may ask slightly puzzled.
The Commerce Ministry as a sop to one of “those” coalition partners. Don’t we all sense that Pornthiwa’s presence in the Abhisit motley cabinet may cause a Poseidonian earth rattle or two.
Chuwit anyone?
+++ Didn’t our contributor, noirish artist Chris Coles, just dwell upon this very Poseidon.
Inspired/spotted by a reader
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