Burmalympics for 2012, please?

Bangkok Post - Thailand; Jun 2, 2001

BY 2012, THAILAND AND BURMA SHOULD HAVE PATCHED UP THEIR BORDER

Rather than jump the gun and give Thailand's vote to China for the 2008 Olympics as W Rujawongsanti not so subtly suggests (Post Sports, "Inside Story," May 30), please consider another option.

Since a vote should be cast only according to the sporting, political and economic interests of Thailand, regardless of the host's human rights record (after all every country in the world has such problems), I suggest voting for Paris in 2008 and backing a Rangoon bid in 2012. differences; the Wa should have sold enough amphetamines to Thai teenagers to fund at least a few new stadiums; and with non-interference from Asean, the military regime should still have enough control to round up plenty of its citizens to be ticket takers, ushers, tour guides (without pay, of course.) And if Burma's infrastructure is still suffering a bit from years of Western investment freeze, even better for Thailand.

Spectators can stay at hotels in Thailand, eat Thai food and enjoy Thai nightlife after catching the events in Rangoon or across the border in Wa-land. Play it right and it will be like having the Olympics in Thailand without paying the bill (not counting all the lunch money spent on yaba pills). Announce it now: Rangoon (and Thailand) 2012! Get Gen. Chavalit on the case.

Christopher Wise

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