More Backlash in the British Press over Ian Proud's Blog at The Nation's website

Our man in Bangkok upsets Thais and expats in 'patronising' weblog

The Scotsman

ANDREW DRUMMOND IN BANGKOK

THE Scottish deputy head of Britain's mission in Bangkok has given up his internet blog after three days of insults on the internet, mainly from angry Britons in Thailand.

Ian Proud, also the head of the political department of the British Embassy, had started a weblog in Bangkok's English language newspaper, the Nation, edited by a personal friend

But last night, after a day in which rude comments had continually to be deleted by the web host, Mr Proud called it a day and his existing blogs, which had been described variously as 'patronising', 'naive', 'a load of bull' and 'disingenuous piffle', were removed from the newspaper's website.

What started off as a public relations exercise for an embassy, whose members have already been criticised as "unhelpful" and "arrogant" in an independent report by the National Audit Bureau, turned out to be a public relations disaster.

Mr Proud had also been accused of visiting Cowboy One, one of Bangkok's red-light areas, a fact which he admitted, but only to show visiting friends.


Mr Proud clearly was taken aback by the reaction to his blog. He said initially: "I couldn't write about my work. So it was harmless, cute little stories about Thailand. But the response has been quite remarkable."


In his first blog, heading with a picture of him playing football against Thai government officials, he told of how he arrived in Thailand four years ago and was treated to a welcoming dinner party by the then ambassador, Barney Smith. He talked about the highs and lows.


In his second blog, he praises the singing skills of one of the generals in last year's military coup, General Winai Phattiyakul, the secretary-general of the Council for National Security, favourably against Tony Blair.


In his third entry, he lectures to foreigners that the Thai smile is genuine and not fake. And in his fourth, he appeals to the public to donate to a dog looked after by an animal charity.

Then came the barrage of replies, almost all negative. The British Embassy has perhaps more than its fair share of enemies in Bangkok, mainly from Britons who have failed to obtain visas for their Thai wives or girlfriends.


But even by respectable businessmen they have been described as "remote".


Until reconstruction began at the embassy, many lived within the grounds with their own maids, tennis court and social club.


Last year, the National Audit Office published a scathing report on the behaviour of British Embassy officials after the tsunami of 2004.


They were criticised for being unhelpful, insensitive and selfish. One survivor described their behaviour as like "a vicar's tea party in a crisis".

Another reported: "They never offered to help. They just carried on drinking while waiting for their minibus. When it arrived they didn't offer anyone else a lift to a safe area; they just left.


"Their conduct was disgraceful and made me ashamed to be British. I've never seen such a selfish and self-interested display."


A third said: "The British Embassy in Bangkok made promises of assistance that were never delivered... Words cannot describe how disappointing and useless staff in Bangkok, and later in Phuket, were."


And a fourth: "They didn't have a clue. They had no emotional connection, no attempt to say 'Are you OK?' Actually, you are crying your eyes out; you are covered head to toe in mud and dirt." Mr Proud staunchly defended the actions of himself and his colleagues during the tsunami, but if appears few are willing to listen.


I really love the internet.

How did this idiot Ian Proud make it into the foreign service?

He has been in country four years and he is totally clueless. And he is the head of the political office? I bet I am not the only one who is flabbergasted by this idiot. How could he be a political officer and not know about blogging?

I love the British. At the first opportunity to make it known to the entire world the incompetency of the British Embassy, they go for it. I admire that. They know that their complaints have been unheeded for years.

This the first time I have heard about their disgraceful behavior during the Tsunami.

I am glad people who have had all these pent up emotions about the British Embassy have finally got the opportunity to express themselves.

I hope the British expat community doesn't let up. This will probably be their only opportunity to make their complaints heard far and wide. before everything goes back to the status quo.

I am sure that the British have tried to make things known in the local media, but obviously Mr. Proud had his best friend Nation editior Tulsie covering for him in the Thai press.

The Nation's Star British Blogger for the Week Patronizes Thailand's Red Light Districts

Blog Gone Wild for British Diplomat

Wednesday April 11, 2007 6:01 PM

By JOCELYN GECKER Associated Press Writer

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - A British envoy in Thailand has learned that writing a blog can open the door to some very undiplomatic exchanges - on delicate subjects such as his trips to Bangkok's famed red-light districts.

The trouble started after Ian Proud, who heads the British Embassy's political division, accepted an offer to become an honorary blogger this week on the Web site of The Nation, an English-language newspaper in Thailand.

The idea was proposed to him by the newspaper's editor, Tulsathit Tuptim, a personal friend who envisioned the blog as a forum in which Proud could discuss his ``Thai experiences with British perspective and humor'' before ending his four-year tenure in Bangkok next month, according to the blog's introductory message.

What ensued could better be described as a case of a blog gone wild. Proud's picture appeared with the blog, prompting several Web surfers to post comments saying they had seen him around town, particularly at Bangkok's red-light districts.

As of midday Wednesday, the blog had attracted more than 3,000 viewers and about 100 postings since its start two days earlier.

``I recall going to the embassy once and that same night I was down on Cowboy and who did I bump into? Yes, it was Ian,'' wrote Edwardio Shanks, referring to notorious Soi Cowboy - Cowboy Street - which is packed with go-go bars and Western men on the prowl.

Simon Peltier wrote, ``I saw him walking arm-in-arm with a girl that could only be described as '2 dollar whore.' I bet that girl got a visa no problem.'' Other postings claimed to be authored by the diplomat, but weren't, Proud said in a telephone interview Wednesday, noting one in particular that said: ``Yes, I did go with prostitutes during my tenure here with the Briyish Embassy, but that does not make me a bad person.''

``My syntax is a lot better than that for a start,'' Proud said, not denying familiarity with the red-light districts but insisting he did not patronize them on ``a regular basis.''


``I'm not going to complain that I've never been there. But at the same time, the suggestion that I'm some sort of upholder of the sex trade in Bangkok ...'' he trailed off. ``It's pathetic, frankly.''

Postings were not exclusively about Proud's wanderings through Bangkok's nightlife. Some readers complained about the consular office's visa section and hurled criticism at British diplomats in general, while others wished Proud well in his future endeavors or urged him to stop blogging to save his pride.

Proud had introduced himself on his blog as someone new to the blogging scene who hoped to share thoughts on his love for the country that had become home for the last four years.

``When my posting to the embassy ends next month, I don't think I can bear to leave; this country is my home now,'' he wrote in his introductory note, suggesting he had perhaps found his true calling and would stay in Thailand to become a ``professional web-blogger.''


I don't know which is more disgraceful for Mr. Proudd, affiliating with the whores of Soi Cowboy or fraternizing with the whores who work at The Nation.

Once there was a time when the British produced the most outstanding foreign service officers in the world--many of whom were stationed in Bangkok during times of crisis.

Now, Whitehall produces the likes of Ian Proudd. Lovely.