Spurning the cash handout, the pool bug man

The government is handing out B2,000 baht cheques as a one-off gift to low-income taxpayers to kickstart the economy. In theory boyfriend Maiyuu should be eligible, as he does not work.

One potential snag, however, is that he lives with a foreigner with a good income. Do the authorities check such things?

When I mentioned the cash handout to Maiyuu yesterday, he appeared to know nothing about it. 'I have no income at all,' he said matter-of-factly.

He quickly lost interest. 'I would probably have to go back to my home province to get it,' he said.

I consoled him.

'Long queues form wherever the cheques are handed out,' I said. 'You have to stand for hours in the heat.'

Like many of the Thais who have turned up to get their cheques, Maiyuu believes, perhaps perversely, that the measure will not work.

'Thais are still shopping, though they go mainly to supermarkets. Hardly any go to markets these days, which suggests the economy is not as bad as the government claims,' he says.

Maiyuu is a healthy skeptic where the government is concerned, especially this Democrat-led coalition outfit.

One day I will ask him to draw up a list of his thoughts about its performance.

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I am feeling less remote from this place, after I seized the opportunity to talk to a few Thais yesterday.

Earlier, I wrote about how I felt increasingly alienated at my new condo, as I seldom get to talk to Thais any more.

Later the same day, several opportunities presented themselves. I can't remember all of the conversations now, as my memory of events rarely spans beyond 24 hours. However, I can recall these moments:

1. I spoke to the boyfriend about the rules for conscription into the army, for a blog post which also appeared yesterday. I wanted to make sure I had my facts straight.

2. I spoke to the boyfriend about the state of the economy, and the government's attempts to get it back on its feet.

3. I said hello to a condo security guard, and someone from the office.

In another morale-boosting step, I performed a small public duty at the condo's rooftop swimming pool, picking up sweetie packets discarded by young Thai swimmers the day before.

I was standing at one end of the pool. At the other, a Thai man in his 20s told a young charge how to kick while holding a boogie board (or whatever those spongy handheld things are called).

I scooped a handful of flower petals, mosquitoes and other bugs out of the water to clear the way for the big man (actually, a boy of about 10) as he came through.

New idea: Next time I feel alienated I shall ask the condo office if I can act as pool attendant.

My duties shall include scooping bugs out of the pool, and ticking off Thai youngsters who litter. It shall not include life-saving duties, as my stamina at freestyle swimming is so poor that I would probably sink before I reached anyone.