28 Nov 2008

Day 9 in Bangkok - Are you a Singaporean?

"Are you a Singaporean?"
That's like the new way to start a conversation amongst stranded fellow Singaporeans here in Bangkok.
I've done it several times the last two days and likewise, we've been approached by Singaporeans with the same question.
It starts with you staring at someone or a group of people who look typically Singaporean. Don't ask me what that is. It's just a thing. You caste them glances every now and then. Then you gingerly inch yourself nearer to them and when they open their mouths and speak Singlish, you've hit jackpot.

You ask, "Are you a Singaporean?"
and when they nod or say yes, typically, the next question is, "So what do you intend to do?"

Yes, good question. What do we intend to do?
See, the most frustrating thing about being unable to fly out of Bangkok as scheduled is you know nothing except through the Singaporean grapevine and that depends largely on how many "Are you Singaporean?" questions you have asked? My kids call it the 'bonding experience'!
The little we know or hear, is from them or from people in Singapore keen to help us. Anything from the Singapore Embassy here in Bangkok? I'm still waiting for their C-130. From accounts of people who have turned up at the Singapore Embassy, they are getting ready to whip out their computers to type complaint letters. Specifically about a gum chewing officer who seems to have insinuated to them that being stranded is not really their concern.
Well, I myself have not gone to see them so I cannot say if things are really so bochap there.
I'm Singaporean am I not? I come from a very efficient country, do I not? I rest perfectly assured that if they have eventually have plans to evacuate us, they will call us (because I have faithfully registered online with MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Thailand with all our details). Am I wrong?
Hello? Am I wrong? Hello? Hello? Anybody there?

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