Set up in January 2006, website, “www. vongthip.com” is a forum for friends of Thailand to freely air and exchange their personal views on as well as analysis of economic, political and social situations in Thailand and the world.

Mission Statement: Dedicated to freedom of speech and of the press, with deep respect for truthfulness, integrity, decency, fellowship, and above all, true love for the country called Thailand.

The website will initially contain writings and notes from various sources and a monthly newsletter from a woman called Vongthip, who at the ripe old age of 64 years old, has found it difficult to retire in peace from her life-long career as a banker.

Since the “Tom Yum Koong Crisis” in July 1997, Vongthip has been writing monthly newsletters for her friends and business associates. Initially it was to clear her own mind and to focus on the most vital issues for survival and recovery. She began to share her thoughts with friends and colleagues, and, has been encouraged since then to continue to summarize important issues at home and abroad while providing her tongue-in-cheek points of view.

Now into the 9th year, vital issues have become more urgent, complex and challenging. They are difficult to understand, let alone to discuss and explain in a few words. Economic, political and social situations at national, regional and global levels, have become so entwined and so confusing that most people simply give up trying to understand. However, as we have come to realize, the positive and negative impacts of globalization and free market economy on our daily lives can no longer be ignored.

Now that we know that the so-called win-win situation is in reality, a case of winner takes all! It behooves us therefore that we diligently air our thoughts and share our knowledge so that together we can brace ourselves against being eaten alive by the “Big Fish”. We owe it not only to ourselves, but also to our children and our grandchildren to protect our beautiful culture and unique way of life that are so much admired by the world.

Let’s hope therefore that this website would slowly and surely become a forum for those with the same mindset to happily and sensibly share their knowledge, thoughts and even dreams!