- May 4, 2021
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Sappaya-Sapasathan
0720 ICT (GMT +7)
October 26, 2004
0720 ICT (GMT +7)
October 26, 2004
![Sappaya-Sapasathan-Pano-III.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.postimg.cc%2F8k6Qhr0Y%2FSappaya-Sapasathan-Pano-III.jpg&hash=df8eb3c3f68c055fbb9398854cc997f0)
Meeting place of the National Assembly of Thailand and world's largest parliament building, Sappaya-Sapasathan
As the morning rush hour resumed in Bangkok, the Sappaya-Sapasathan prepared for another day with over three thousand public servants ready to serve the Republic. On the ninth floor, inside the "Office of the Leader of the Opposition Abhisit Vejjajiva," a man was asleep at his desk in formal attire when a woman in her mid-twenties entered. "Mark! Why are you sleeping? Didn’t you go home last night?! Your wife was worried sick, calling me to check if you were dead! You have a TV speech at noon about the new legislative decree. Wake up!" shouted Pancake, Abhisit’s secretary. Outside, some passing employees giggled at the usual chaos in their workplace.
Abhisit groaned as he surfaced from a complex, confusing dream. He half-opened his eyes, squinting against the room's light and the sun streaming through the windows. "Just let me rest a bit more…" he murmured, stretching his arms forward and causing a few documents to fall to the floor. Pancake’s irritation grew. "What are you saying, Mark? You’re a 39-year-old opposition leader! Can’t you be more responsible for your well-being and our country? We’re still in cultural and arts month. You also have to attend the musical festival at Chatuchak Park at six!" She stood with her hands on her hips, clearly exasperated.
Abhisit sighed loudly as he lifted his head from the table. “Yes, yes, I hear you, Pancake.” He yawned and glanced at the digital clock. “Seven already? I also need to meet with Mr. Anton this afternoon. What a packed schedule.” He paused, noticing Pancake’s intense glare. “What is it? I’ve gotten up.” He leaned forward, realizing some documents were missing. “Where are the copies of the parliamentary decree?” he murmured before looking back at Pancake, whose stare could have pierced through him. “Would you please explain what the problem is, Pancake?” he asked, feeling hopeless.
With a long sigh, Pancake shook her head. “Stand up and pick up the documents in front of the table. Then go home and take a shower. I’m not here to babysit you. You’re fourteen years older than me.” She grumbled before leaving the room in silence. “And I still have to do his work!” she muttered loudly as she walked away. Several public servants stopped her to check if she was okay, concerned about her workload. Pancake replied, “No, it’s okay. I still work six hours a day as usual or until Mark’s work is done. The Prime Minister just passed a landmark legislative decree. You know how it is. I don’t think he can rally enough support to overturn the decree in a referendum or through the community assemblies. Also, Jennie, open a ballot for me to kick Mark out of the office and make him get some rest at home."
After about twenty minutes, Abhisit received an email informing him that his colleagues had voted for him to leave the office, take a rest, and return at ten. He nodded reluctantly, feeling he had rested enough, but he couldn't ignore the scientific evidence that he needed proper rest after staying overnight at his office. Standing up, he gathered his phone, watch, and glasses before leaving the room. The office space was still largely empty since it wasn’t yet eight o'clock. With the new law reducing standard work hours from eight to seven and a half, most people now arrived at nine.
As Abhisit made his way out of the world's largest parliamentary building, he was greeted by cleaning staff and parliamentary police. They informed him that the media had figured out he probably didn’t leave the National Assembly last night, so he should expect a few questions from the press. Thanking them, Abhisit continued toward the main entrance, where he saw about nine journalists, most sitting in the press room. One journalist noticed him and quickly rushed over, asking, “Mr. Opposition Leader, what is your opinion about the passing of the new parliamentary decree that is described as effectively ending the existence of private property in Thailand?” He was stunned for a brief moment, the gravity of the question contrasting sharply with the serene morning at the parliament building.
“It’s concerning that property relations are being radically redefined in Thailand after centuries of proven success by free market practices. However, the National Assembly has made this decision to reflect the will of the people, and there is currently no grassroots movement signaling opposition to such a drastic change. I urge everyone to celebrate this victory for democracy in Thailand while remaining critical of any policies proposed at the national level. Thank you.” He finished and walked away, noting that the journalist did not follow him.
Abhisit groaned as he surfaced from a complex, confusing dream. He half-opened his eyes, squinting against the room's light and the sun streaming through the windows. "Just let me rest a bit more…" he murmured, stretching his arms forward and causing a few documents to fall to the floor. Pancake’s irritation grew. "What are you saying, Mark? You’re a 39-year-old opposition leader! Can’t you be more responsible for your well-being and our country? We’re still in cultural and arts month. You also have to attend the musical festival at Chatuchak Park at six!" She stood with her hands on her hips, clearly exasperated.
Abhisit sighed loudly as he lifted his head from the table. “Yes, yes, I hear you, Pancake.” He yawned and glanced at the digital clock. “Seven already? I also need to meet with Mr. Anton this afternoon. What a packed schedule.” He paused, noticing Pancake’s intense glare. “What is it? I’ve gotten up.” He leaned forward, realizing some documents were missing. “Where are the copies of the parliamentary decree?” he murmured before looking back at Pancake, whose stare could have pierced through him. “Would you please explain what the problem is, Pancake?” he asked, feeling hopeless.
With a long sigh, Pancake shook her head. “Stand up and pick up the documents in front of the table. Then go home and take a shower. I’m not here to babysit you. You’re fourteen years older than me.” She grumbled before leaving the room in silence. “And I still have to do his work!” she muttered loudly as she walked away. Several public servants stopped her to check if she was okay, concerned about her workload. Pancake replied, “No, it’s okay. I still work six hours a day as usual or until Mark’s work is done. The Prime Minister just passed a landmark legislative decree. You know how it is. I don’t think he can rally enough support to overturn the decree in a referendum or through the community assemblies. Also, Jennie, open a ballot for me to kick Mark out of the office and make him get some rest at home."
After about twenty minutes, Abhisit received an email informing him that his colleagues had voted for him to leave the office, take a rest, and return at ten. He nodded reluctantly, feeling he had rested enough, but he couldn't ignore the scientific evidence that he needed proper rest after staying overnight at his office. Standing up, he gathered his phone, watch, and glasses before leaving the room. The office space was still largely empty since it wasn’t yet eight o'clock. With the new law reducing standard work hours from eight to seven and a half, most people now arrived at nine.
As Abhisit made his way out of the world's largest parliamentary building, he was greeted by cleaning staff and parliamentary police. They informed him that the media had figured out he probably didn’t leave the National Assembly last night, so he should expect a few questions from the press. Thanking them, Abhisit continued toward the main entrance, where he saw about nine journalists, most sitting in the press room. One journalist noticed him and quickly rushed over, asking, “Mr. Opposition Leader, what is your opinion about the passing of the new parliamentary decree that is described as effectively ending the existence of private property in Thailand?” He was stunned for a brief moment, the gravity of the question contrasting sharply with the serene morning at the parliament building.
“It’s concerning that property relations are being radically redefined in Thailand after centuries of proven success by free market practices. However, the National Assembly has made this decision to reflect the will of the people, and there is currently no grassroots movement signaling opposition to such a drastic change. I urge everyone to celebrate this victory for democracy in Thailand while remaining critical of any policies proposed at the national level. Thank you.” He finished and walked away, noting that the journalist did not follow him.