BANGKOK – The government has asked former Thai prime minister Anand Panyarachun to solve yet another of the country’s problems, this time appointing the elder statesman to tackle a massive infestation of rats on Lad Phrao Soi 72/1.
Anand has become the go-to-man for governments in times of trouble. Besides dealing with the rat infestation on Lad Phra Soi 72/1, the widely respected 78-year-old Anand is also reforming all of Thai society.
Having fielded numerous complaints about the rats from local residents and after the repeated failures of district authorities to solve the problem, BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra and current PM Abhsisit Vejjajiva said they would rely on Anand to use his barami (“charisma or innate authority”) to come up with a solution.
At a press conference, Anand, flanked by Abhisit, accepted the offer and said he would immediately form a committee of eminent Thais to meet and discuss the issue. If the committee failed to reach a satisfactory plan of action, Anand said he would consider personally negotiating with the rats. The former PM is also widely respected in the rat community.
Anand asked Lad Phrao 72/1 residents to be patient and added that he would not be able handle the situation immediately: “I know the rats well and have no personal conflict with them or their leaders but I have no idea yet if we’ll see eye to eye on this.”
