Flashermac Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 THE NATION Winners and losers at the Apec Academy Awards Published on Oct 26, 2003 Welcome back to normal life, after a week of Apec fever. Bangkok seems to have returned to its old self since Wednesday when the last foreign leader, Russian President Vladimir Putin, departed the City of Angels. Chronic traffic jams have returned to roads temporarily closed to non-Apec travel. And with the coverup campaign over, the street vendors who were deemed too unsightly for Apec delegates are back in force. Even stray dogs have been put back on the streets. Least we forget the shinning moment that was Thailand's Apec summit, our reporters have coughed up a list of winners and losers in the event. Unlike the Academy Awards, however, we are not giving out Oscars. And the winners are.... Best Leading Male Performance The nominees included Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who arrived amidst a storm of international protest over his remarks about Jews made the week before. But the leader, who is stepping down after 22 years, lost the title to President George W Bush. The US leader gave a down-to-earth performance, greeting every dignitary at the entrance of the Ananta Samakom Throne hall on Oct 20 evening with a simple: "How are you doing?" Best Leading Female Performance There were three nominees: the leaders of Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines. President Megawati Sukarnoputri appeared a bit subdued, weighed down perhaps by a tough situation at home, while Prime Minister Helen Clark appeared quite studious. Then there was President Gloria Arroyo whose passionate taste for Thai durians raised her above her rivals and added her to the list of VIPs promoting the Kingdom as a destination for lovers of food and fruit. Best Director The title almost went to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but "deep-throat" sources revealed the man who did all the logistical legwork was Deputy Prime Minister Vishanu Kruangarm. Two months before the event, Vishanu led press tours every Friday to selected Apec venues such as Thai Airways International's catering centre, Government House and Royal Thai Navy headquarters to show they had done their homework. Worst Script Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad almost took the title with his pre-Apec "Jews rule the world" speech, but was beaten out at the last minute by Thaksin. It was tough to top our leader's performance. When asked what was the root cause of terrorism, at Apec's final press conference on Wednesday, he said: "That's a technical question." Best Score Although the magnificent Royal Barge Procession on the night of October 20 was spellbinding, the Apec theme songs performed at the gala dinner that night took this award. Even Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi, a diehard rocker, liked them so much he asked for a CD of the songs. Best Dressed Delegate Nominees included Peruvian First Lady Eliane Toledo, who proved that first ladies need not be dull. She let her red hair down and dressed in colourful skirts throughout the event. Also in the running was Lyudmila Putin, Russia's first lady, though she looked a bit uncomfortable in her fluffy, floorlength gown at the gala dinner at the Royal Thai Navy headquarters. The award, however, goes to Laura Bush who wore a fabulous pink dress when she visited the Grand Palace. Happiest Group Award No one cold be happier than government employees whose work was unrelated to Apec because they were given a whole week off. Many took long holidays in the provinces. Meanwhile, private sector workers had to suffer several days of nightmarish traffic, thanks to the frequent road closures for Apec. Most Sacrificed Groups Slum dwellers, street vendors, beggars and stray dogs were all "covered up" for the event. Widest Smile All votes go to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the summit's host. He beamed throughout the summit as he received compliments about what a fine show he'd put on. Though there are some who wonder whether the Bt1billion expenditure paid off, they should concede the event did wonders for promoting tom yam kung, foot massages and handmade silk shirts, which were worn by Apec leaders. Most Attractive Leader Nominees included Japanese Premier Junichiro Koizumi who came in second place, but the title goes to Russian President Vladimir Putin, a champion of Russian "sambo" martial arts. The athletic leader also found a unique way of wearing the new Apec shirt by dropping it over his jacket and necktie. Most Pressured Leader Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar takes the award. He will find it tough to match Bangkok's performance when he hosts the next year's Apec summit. Most Dedicated Group The country's Marine frogmen, who provided crucial security against terrorists, take the title. They even made underwater checks below the Chao Phaya River to ensure the safety of delegates. Biggest Anti-Climax Instead of burning effigies of the US leader, activist Giles Ungphakorn floated balloons in a peaceful demonstration. But some people thought the act might have been mistaken as a welcome for Bush instead of an attack on US foreign policy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattaya127 Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 Instead of burning effigies of the US leader, activist Giles Ungphakorn floated balloons in a peaceful demonstration. But some people thought the act might have been mistaken as a welcome for Bush instead of an attack on US foreign policy. ---------------------- In true asian smile fashion, it meant : " Welcome to our beautiful country, Mr Bush, whom we abhorr foreign policies" . No, really!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 LOL, nice article. I like The Nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adikgede Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 "President Megawati Sukarnoputri appeared a bit subdued, weighed down perhaps by a tough situation at home.." Hmm I think she is weighed down by more than ... really weighed down. In fact I can't see how her and Taufik get it on unless they employ some of the same third party copultaion techniques used by the largest of mammals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 Yesterday, had on either 'Fox News', or 'CNN', a bit showing various dignitaries getting out of rot yon at a function. All had wives with them. Then the Japanese dignitary gets out of vehicle alone, with no escorts. The whole reason for showing, was that they could comment that this Japanese guy was the smartest one there. Why? Because he was smart enought to not bring his wife/gf to Bangkok, with laughs all around the reporter's table. Talking about perpetuating the world belief that all Thai women are whores.......Not only stupid, but very insensitive. Made me embarassed I live here, and have to listen to this propaganda shit. HT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp1 Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 Then the Japanese dignitary gets out of vehicle alone, with no escorts. The whole reason for showing, was that they could comment that this Japanese guy was the smartest one there. You're talking about the Japanese PM Koizumi, aren't you? This guy is divorced. He can't bring his wife to any function. Btw he's still the favorite of all girls and women in Japan. I'm sure he has enough girlfriends over here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelgianBoy Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 Hi, Thanks for the nice read, sounded like fun...... Surprised to see a Belgian person nominated in that list, that was my fun Cheers ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted October 26, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 The Taiwanese representative was alone -- and almost treated as not entirely respectable. He could not display his flag on his car and was attending officially as from Taipei, China-Taiwan or some such thing. The PNG rep also was by himself. Why didn't they mention that? Racist peegs!!! And for some reason, everyone was in a black limousine except Taiwan and Vietnam. Some hidden meaning there, or did they just run out of black ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Jack Posted October 26, 2003 Report Share Posted October 26, 2003 Says jp1: You're talking about the Japanese PM Koizumi, aren't you? ...Btw he's still the favorite of all girls and women in Japan... ...Except his old banger of an ex-missus, presumably, whom he walked out on in 1982 when she was seven months pregnant with his third ankle-snapper. Sounds like a reasonable enough bloke to me. jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thalenoi Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 Says BelgianBoy: Hi, Surprised to see a Belgian person nominated in that list, that was my fun :)Cheers ! I did not know you were invited at APEC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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