A scene in a Bangkok flooded street. (Photos by Bob San)

By BOB SAN
AAP staff writer

During the two months I was in Bangkok, I witnessed very different scenarios at different neighborhoods. A CNN report called it A Tale of Two Cities, but I’d call it a Tale of Different Districts. Here are some of my observations for Bangkok only.

The flood of the century in Thailand has killed over 600, ravaged the lives of millions. The government of new Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has come under heavy criticism for its handling of the crisis. The critics said she lacked experience in dealing with the flooding and said her administration mishandled the disaster.

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Bangkok, Thailand ((Nov. 16, 2011) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held a Joint Press Conference this week at the Government House in Bangkok where Clinton was visiting.

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WASHINGTON (Nov. 16, 2011) — The White House announced Wednesday that the United States announced more than $10 million in additional assistance and civic aid to support Thailand in responding to the most severe flooding in the country’s recent history.

The Thai Government, military and people have undertaken tremendous efforts to address the flooding, and the United States is committed to supporting its ally’s speedy and full recovery.

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Brussels (April 23, 2011) – United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has stated that he is troubled by reports of renewed fighting over the past two days between Cambodian and Thai troops along the two countries’ border, which has reportedly claimed the lives of many people on both sides.

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Jakarta, Indonesia (February 22, 2011) – The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers, under the Chairmanship of H.E. Dr Marty Natalegawa, Foreign Minister of Indonesia, on Wednesday endorsed Cambodia and Thailand’s efforts to reach an amicable modality to avoid further armed clashes along their common border.

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NEW YORK CITY (February 8, 2011) – The United Nations cultural agency said Tuesday it plans to send a mission to assess the damage caused to the Preah Vihear Temple, a World Heritage site, by the recent armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia. Tensions first escalated between the South-East Asian neighbours in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the temple, which dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

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Washington, D.C. (July 15, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary announced last week that President Barack Obama has nominated two individuals to Department of State posts. The President states that he intends to nominate Kristie A. Kenney as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand; and Jo Ellen Powell as Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.

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The U.S. Embassy in Thailand reports that more than 300 U.S. and Thai Sailors and Marines, along with U.S. Coast Guardsmen, participated in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2010 that ran from May 14 to May 21.

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AAP staff report

The U.S. State Department issued a Travel Warning for Thailand, May 15, 2010, and advises American Citizens to defer all travel to Bangkok and defer non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand. The situation will be constantly reviewed and updated as conditions change.

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Three volunteers that will be honored at a May 28 banquet: Satit “Joe” Leela-thawornchai, graduate student returning to Thailand in May; Oranuch Prutipibuthan “Juud”, a Ph.D. student graduating in May, and lead teacher for the Thai language class; and Utana “Ae” Worawut (Ae), a Ph.D. student who returned to Thailand on April 29. (Contributed photos)

AAP staff report

Elk River, Minn. (April 18, 2010) – More than 200 members of the Minnesota Thai community gathered at Wat Thai Minnesota in Elk River two weeks ago to celebrate Songkran tradition 2010 – Thai New Year Day.

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