Day Seven. Monday, 16 September 2014

This is the day I learn two things:

§  One, that London traffic is as bad as that of Bangkok. A young friend who is to pick me up at 10:30 arrives at 13:30

§  Two, that the world may be one’s oyster elsewhere. But in London, the oyster (with a capital O) appears to be many Londoners’ world. I climb up a bus, I have to press the Oyster smart card and I’m on. I do the same at the tube station and the gate is open for me

Today, in response to my request, we visit Sherlock Holmes’s place at 221b, Baker Street.

Despite being a renowned detective, Holme’s sweet home is a small place and somewhat derelict. (It was built in 1815.) So only about 6-7 visitors are allowed at a time to climb up the stairs to see how he had lived and worked. Altogether an unreal world, which you can make it real by a bit of imagination plus a bit of crazy obsession that I think I have.

We then visit the BBC where we are received by U Maung Maung Than, Daw Tin Htar Swe and Win Naing Oo. It used to broadcast in more than 60 languages in the past, but now only 17 remain.

Each language program isn’t having its own private office and studio anymore either. All are crammed on the same floor. But remains big and impressive nevertheless.

I’m interviewed by the Burmese and Thai sections while my venerable companions are shown around the complex:

§  The Burmese section wants to know how much the states are enjoying their newly acquired powers and privileges bestowed by the 2008 constitution (My answer: as much as the General Administration Department which they come under can give them. The GAD itself comes under the Union Home Ministry which in turn is “owned” by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Services)

§  The Thai section wants to know how soon the drug problem can be solved (My answer: as soon as a negotiated peace comes to the country, because the military will retain the seines of the People’s Militia Forces it has set up as long as war continues. It’s an open secret that the PMFs are deeply involved in the drug production and trade. Thailand therefore should help both the government and the opposition to patch up their differences as soon as possible).

After BBC, It is a Thai PhD candidate who wants to know how personnel from the armed groups from Burma were able to go in and out of Thailand during the Cold War. I tell her as much as I can remember and ask her to send me her draft so I can recheck the facts. “Opinions are up to you,” I say. “I won’t meddle with them.”

By the time it is finished, it is already 18:00 and it is time to put our Oysters back to good use.