AWOL 2015 Issue 356 4th December | Page 15

Advertise here for as little as 40 baht per week to hull and back Mags Meanderings: From Som Tam To Mushy Peas life choices December 5th is a most auspicious day for Thailand, this year marking the 88th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadeh. We join together in wishing His Majesty peace and happiness on his special day. If you are on holiday in Hua Hin at the moment why not go along to His Majesties birthday celebration in the town, and join with the Thai people in paying your respects? You will be welcomed at what is a very interesting and moving event. Other, less auspicious anniversaries fall on December 4th. The opening of the first ever Burger King in Miami in 1954, and the very down to earth Vatican approval of the rhythm method of contraception in 1930. Despite being as reliable as a chocolate tea pot, this ‘method’ remains the only form of contraception to be officially endorsed by the Catholic church. Although much later the pill did become recognised as a useful medication for women who suffer heavy or irregular periods, providing of course they don’t take advantage of this religious loop hole. You would think that in the 21st century society in general would have become more accepting of womens’ rights to control pregnancy, yet just last week three people were killed by an armed man who stormed an abortion clinic in Colorado Springs. This kind of violent protest is far from rare, and the Colorado Springs clinic had already been moved to a high security building in an attempt to avoid attacks. At time of writing the motives of the gunman still aren’t clear, but surely violence of any sort isn’t appropriate when used as a protes Y