No fun to be treated
second class
Love is a strange thing.
It can last decades - and it can disappear in seconds. That's what
happened to me. I, who, during many visits, have been in love with
Bangkok and Thailand. Despite its outdoor pollution it was always nice
to be indoor. Here you could have a good time, enjoy life - and your
smoke. This love disappeared as quick as lightning.
It happened when I
visited Bangkok a short time ago. And suddenly had to face the fact that
the authorities had introduced a SMOKING BAN - and thus had taken a
significant step in the direction of being a prohibition state.
Of course I already know
that there are countries where that kind of prohibition has been
enforced. Therefore these countries have been cut out of my world map.
But I had never, never, never expected that sort of thing to happen in
Thailand. And therefore I had made no research before going there.
Thus I was taken with my trousers down my heels. The very moment I
arrived at the hotel.
The totally crazy and
crackbrained in this connection is that Bangkok is one of the most
polluted cities on this Planet. The big 6-lane traffic roads, running
all over Bangkok, have now had "an extra floor" added - with 6 more
lanes running at first floor level - which makes up 12 lanes altogether.
And consequently the DOUBLE POLLUTION. (Add to this the
noise-pollution).
Apparently the
authorities have tried to solve this pollution problem by introducing a
smoking ban in hotel lobbies, restaurants, shopping centres and so on -
while it seems that they have taken no steps to solve the REAL pollution
problem. A problem which is all-embracing, massive and killing.
And it runs twenty-four
hours a day.
And when you make
complaints to the Thai-people they just say that you can go outdoor if
you want to smoke (which is DANGEROUS because of the pollution).
And they say this with a big, big smile. And suddenly you stand
there, with a strange feeling, not knowing if they are smiling "to" you
- or "at" you...
In most cases you have to
smoke standing, out there, on the pavement, in the car smog and a
damping heat of 37 degrees Celsius. But you can be lucky to find places
where they 'generously' have placed a few, hard plastic chairs and an
ashtray.
For my part this
outdoor-smoking was very problematic. Because, due to the heavy car
smog, I was forced to carry a face mask (for the first time in my life).
And it is somehow uncomfortable to smoke when carrying a face mask.
I, who have been a smoker
for nearly 60 years, still have fresh lungs, and have never had any lung
problems. But here, and immediately, I could feel how the polluted air
was burning my lungs. Not only in the bronchial tubes but deep down to
the bottom. Sharp, unpleasant, burning. I would die pretty soon if
I had to live for a longer period in such an environment. (And if
I died, "smoking" would of course get the blame).
Finished with the good
times
For me some of the
highlights of holiday-life are when I sit in an air-conditioned hotel
lobby, in a restaurant or shopping centre, having a good meal, a cup of
coffee and a cigarette - and enjoying looking at the World passing by.
This kind of pleasure has finished now. In Thailand.
The urge to buy also
vanishes
This limitation of my
personal freedom and enjoyment of life also had another consequence.
Because, normally, when I have been walking around in a hot city,
and then sit down indoor and cool off - then I normally get an impulse
to go shopping. But, strange enough, this desire also disappeared.
The result was that I spent 4 weeks in Bangkok - without buying anything
at all. My urge to buy had simply gone.
Also, in many other ways
you get some uncomfortable emotions in a prohibition state. You can't
avoid feeling somewhat like being a second class visitor. One, who is
being tolerated, but one who does not have the same freedom and
privileges as those who do not smoke. The non-smokers still
enjoy the privilege to be able to enjoy their beer, wine and whisky. And
to eat big cholesterol steaks and fat desserts. Indoor, and in a cool
environment.
But maybe these things also will be prohibited one day. So they can go
outside too...
You get the last
experience of being an outcast and an unwanted person in Bangkok
International Airport when you are leaving. Here they 'generously'
have put up two small cages, where you are allowed to smoke. Each cage
measures app. 3 x 5 meters in size. And, in sharp contrast to the rest
of this monumental airport, clean and nicely furnished, these cages are
grey, depressing and dirty. They are equipped with 8 hard plastic
chairs and 4 ashtrays.
This limited space of a
mini-cage is often crowded with 20-25 persons - gathered in a smoke so
heavy that you have to cut your way through it. The extra
"refinement" of such a cage is namely: there is no ventilation. Because,
until the last minute, you are silently told, that smokers are unwanted.
Till the last minute of your stay you are treated with contempt - as a
sort of the scum of the earth - who doesn't deserve better.
So, this was my last
visit to Thailand. Unless circumstances some day should improve in
a more humane direction - with space for enjoyment of life and personal
freedom for all.
But until then I will
choose other destinations.
This report comes
courtesy of a Danish artist living in Luxembourg.
He has been a smoker for 60 years and is still going strong
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