A few things to look forward to in 2008

A Greener World

The United Nations has declared 2008 International Year of Planet Earth. So, turn down the air-con, take the BTS, take a reusable cloth bag to 7-Eleven and stop eating so much meat (livestock is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions!). www.yearofplanetearth.org.

Sprint to Victory

When the clock strikes 08:08:08 on 08/08/2008, the flame of the Olympic Games will be lit at the Beijing National Stadium. Thousands of athletes competing in over 300 events will struggle to bring lots and lots of gold back to their home countries. Time to find out if Thailand’s performance at the 2007 SEA Games was genuine. http://en.beijing2008.cn.

Born on a Potato Year

The UN (them again) is announcing 2008 is also the International Year of the Round Brown Veggies that Farang Love So Much (OK, so do we, particularly at McDonald’s). We thought potatoes were a health hazard but maybe it’s how we consume them because the UN apparently wants the world to feed on chips and large fries for a full year—or were they thinking mash potatoes, potato dumplings and potato soup? www.potato2008.org.

All Aboard!

The BTS line hops past the Sapan Taksin Bridge station, over the Chao Praya River, and into the Thonburi side of town. Meanwhile, the On Nut Station on Sukhumvit Road is no longer a dead end as the Sukhumvit line extends to Soi 107. Lastly, Mo Chit pushes 12km further, to Saphan Mai. Get ready to enjoy the sunset over the Chao Praya River and be back home in Soi 107 for dinner!

New Leadership

The elections have just taken place but this is when the fun really begins. Will the economy be improved? Democracy upheld? The constitution modified? And how long will the new government last? 2008 will be another defining year when it comes to politics.

Picture perfect 

Pattaya will host an International Film Festival in July 2008. Their website is down and with Thailand’s long tradition of cancellations and screw-ups when it comes to film fests, we’re still a bit dubious. But Pattaya makes more sense than Bangkok as a venue for an international film festival if Cannes, Sundance, and Venice (all outside of their countries’ respective capitals) are anything to go by. Fingers crossed!

Class Acts

Maroon 5 come to paint the town a dark reddish brown with their rocking music on March 8. Let’s hope they don’t back out like they did last year. Then the Pattaya Music Festival showcases the best in Thai music. Jazz it up with Hua Hin Jazz Festival will surely live up to its lasting tradition of bringing us the best jazz artists to the region alongside locals like Prode Tanapat, the “Steve Vai of Thailand,” a truly awesome guitarist that will be a hit at the resort town this June. Finally, in December, be ready for the Bangkok Jazz Festival, just like we had last month.