SOUTHEAST ASIA'S MOST CORRUPT COUNTRIES OF 2007

The 2007 Edition of the Corruption Perception Index was released by Transparency International last Thursday (06 Dec). Based on our blog post here of the 2006 Edition; do you think your country’s corruption problems improved?

Here's the ranking of the most corrupt countries in Southeast Asia 0f 2007 from top (the least corrupt) to bottom (the most corrupt);

SE Asian Rank / Country / CPI Score

10. Singapore 9.3
-- The Lion City is again (and of course) the least corrupt of all the nations in our region. Although their score went down 0.1 point, their world ranking went up from 5th to 4th and shares the league with Denmark, Finland, New Zealand and Sweden. *Majulah Singapura!*

9. Malaysia 5.1
-- The nation of the rainforest showed us how to do it. Raise the government employee’s pay to avoid temptations. Malaysia ranked No.43 in the world together with South Korea.

8. Thailand 3.3
-- Our score went down 0.3 but our world ranking improved from 108th to 84th. I really don’t know where the statistics are coming from. It certainly didn’t come from our police. Our Police force is one of the strictest and rigorously checked in the region and I am very proud of them. The corruption must be coming from somewhere else.

7. Vietnam and East Timor 2.6
-- No changes in the scores and ranking for Vietnam and East Timor this year. But Laos dropped out!

5. The Philippines 2.5
--No change in score at 2.5 and their world ranking went down to 131st. The current president’s popularity is the lowest since Marcos. Why do they ask each and every elected leader to step down – instead of working together? Too much precious time is wasted. The Philippines shares the spot with Libya, Yemen and Iran.

4. Indonesia 2.3
--As usual, corruption surveys like these are never kind to Indonesia. The score went down 0.1 points and they ranked 143rd in the world. What does Southeast Asia’s biggest economy doing wrong?

3. Cambodia 2.0
-- I took a little pause when I was preparing this list feeling a little hopeless. But no – we shouldn’t give up on Cambodia. One of these days, they’re gonna change for the better so fast…we wouldn’t know what hit us.

2. Laos 1.9
-- What happened? Laos went down from 6th to 2nd in SE Asia. Their score went down with a whopping 0.7 points! Foreign assistance from Vietnam, Thailand and Japan is going to somebody's pocket. Ha!

1. Burma 1.4
-- Burma, whew! What can I say?...They are on the bottom list in the world with Iraq and Somalia (the 2 collapsed states). Is it really that bad in Burma?*sigh*

What’s your view? Since CPI scores are based mainly on citizen’s perceptions, do you think these ranking reflects your own opinion?

If it does, where does corruption occur in your country?

Share it.

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**Again, Brunei is not on the index again. Brunei is Brunei. They belong to another category. Long live the Sultan!

The Controversial Two-Tiered Price System

I have just finished reading blogs of foreigners living or visited Thailand – and I have to admit, I am sick and tired of the whining and complaining about the 2-tiered pricing system in my country. Harsh words like “scam”, “lowly”, “dishonest”, “exploitation” – was generously tossed in by members of “apparently” superior race. *superior my ass!*

Two-tiered pricing -- it is the system that charges two different prices for local people and foreign tourists. An entry to a public swimming pool would charge locals 50 Baht, for foreigners, 100 Baht. A boat trip across the mighty Chao Phraya River will cost a local 3 Baht, for foreigners – 10 Baht. Thais can get into the Grand Palace complex for free, but foreigners should pay 250 Baht. These prices are not at all verbal; it is posted in bold prints at the entrance.

Just like any other rules, it can be bended. If you’re a foreigner but not white, chances are, you pay the Thai price. Especially when you look like Thai (SE Asians) and speak acceptable Thai – you may get in for free depending on how friendly you are or how good you show “Thai-ness” (the smile, the gestures, the type of clothes you wear, etc.). Trust me, we can tell whose Thai or not just by the way they smile.

Books, magazine articles, newspapers postbags, online forums, blogs are inundated with discussions on the issue – but I never participated, until now…

Here’s what I have to say to you fucken “superior” whiners:

Do you have any idea how hard it is for a Thai (or SE Asian) to get a visa to get into your "superior" country? How much time our people spend under the scorching heat of the sun just to get a fucken application form for a tourist visa to your "honest" country. Have you got any idea?

And when we get an application form, do you know how much we spend to get it reviewed in your "non-scamming" embassies, pay thousands of Baht, Pesos, Rupiah and we are not even sure of the result?

And do you know how much we put up and take the demeaning looks, insults and degradations we get from the "non-exploitative" staffs at your embassy?


AND YET YOU…with all your holiday mood, smelly shirts and filthy shoes
can get into our country FOR FREE. -- the nerve to complain!


Who's the "scammer" now? And who "exploits" who? Ha!


Take that!


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TOP MYTHS ABOUT BISEXUAL MEN

Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike often misunderstand (or simply refuse to understand) the nature of bisexuality. The thought of a person that is attracted to both men and women can be confusing and frequently leads to misconceptions and stereotypes. Below are the top 5 myths about bi men.

Myth #1: Bisexuality Is Just a Phase

For years the gay community has challenged heterosexuals who publicly state that homosexuality is only a phase (--going where?). Bisexuals face the same generalization from BOTH the gay and straight community.

Many bisexuals are completely in touch with their emotions and desires for members of both sexes and often feel limited by the thought of attraction to only a man or woman. Emotional connection is most often the priority when bisexuals pursue a potential partner. Bisexuality is just as much of a natural preference as homosexuality and heterosexuality.

Myth #2: Bi Men Have to Choose To Be Either Gay or Straight

Bisexuals are attracted to both men and women on both an emotional and physical level.

Some "lean straight" (meaning they prefer a member of the opposite sex, but same sex partners are always an option) and others "lean gay" (which means they prefer members of the same sex, but would consider a relationship with a member of the opposite sex). Nonetheless, they are not simply gay or straight and definitely do not have to choose.

Myth #3: Bisexual Men are Sexually Confused

A common misconception in both the gay and heterosexual communities is that bisexuals are sexually confused and cannot make up their minds which sex they like. However, that's the whole point-- bisexuals are attracted to both sexes and are in many cases more clear about their sexuality than most others.

Forcing or pressuring us to choose to be either gay or straight, and we are still attracted to both sexes – what do you want us to do? Isn’t that called “denial”?

Myth #4: Bisexual Men Will Never Marry

Alongside the thought that bisexual men and women are sexually confused is the myth that they will never be able to settle on a partner of any sex.

In many cases we put a lot of emphasis on emotional connections with either sex. This in mind, the opportunity for us to find a life partner is just as viable as it is for a heterosexual or homosexual. However, since same-sex marriage isn't legal in most places of the world, only a heterosexual marriage in most places will be recognized by law.

Myth #5: Bi Men are Sexually Promiscuous

Oh, I have seen this statement on one of my links. It made me piss all over myself laughing!

Promiscuity (or frequent sex with multiple partners) depends on the individual whether they are straight, gay or bi. I would challenge any gay man who frequents sleazy parks at night cruising for casual sex and a straight man who frequents bordellos paying women to give them sexual favors. Not all gay men and straight men do it, right? Get the point? No need to stereotype the bis.

We are no more promiscuous than any others. However, liking both sexes increases our chances of getting laid or be presented with more potential relationship (by shear numbers alone). And that’s the bottom line why we are being hated –- JEALOUSY -– that we can get away with almost anyone we want and ACTUALLY enjoy it. LOL.

Take that!

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--Extracted from Ramone Johnson

SOUTHEAST ASIA'S Most Corrupt Countries!

This is NOT one of those "hey-we-are-better-than-you" post. Let me just be clear with it first. This is not to annoy, provoke or ridule as well, no no no.

This is to...uhmm...to... just to "inform". There -- to inform. Although I know this is old news; I havent found any list on the net that put together the 11 nations of Southeast Asia on this issue.

The Corruption Perceptions Index is a brainchild of the Berlin-based organization Transparency International. They are not one of those mediocre "survey" companies that're up for some quick buck or fame releasing ill-conducted indexes -- no they're not. Rest assured, this org is an internationally recognized pulse meter. There. Take that!

Anyways, here's the ranking of the 11 SE Asian countries in terms of the most corrupt government from top (the least corrupt) to bottom (the most hellooo!-are-you-ok? governments);

10. Singapore 9.4
--Of course, who else? They placed beautifully in the world ranking at 5th! What can we say? Small nations are easier to manage. Kudos to the Singaporean government. In my next life, I wanna be Singaporean (or Malaysian) :-)

9. Malaysia 5.0
--Three thumbs up to the government's announcement to raise their public servant's pay to a whopping 30%! (I think more than that, I'm not sure) That's how they do it. Make the government employees happy to eradicate corruption. Very simple, really. Wait... are taxi extortions classified as corruption? If it is, Malaysia's rank would significantly fall way, way below Haiti! :-)

8. Thailand 3.6
--The score is not too impressive but better than 100 other countries (163 total worldwide) on the list. The low score was mostly because of Khun Thanksin, who else?

5. Laos, Vietnam and East Timor 2.6
-- Three countries share the 5th spot with their alarming 2.6 score. I can drive without a license in Laos and when caught... I pay the police 50,000 Kip (200 Baht, RM20, US$ 5) and I'm on my way. But hey! I offered them -- they didn't ask for it, ok?

--I have no comment with Vietnam, I haven't seen anything yet. And what's with East Timor? Mr. Horta has a lot of cleaning up to do.

4. The Philippines 2.5
--Having scored lower than Communist Laos & Vietnam is something very alarming, really. But when I was there a month ago, I didn't see anything suspicious. My British buddy who lives in Mindanao Island (apparently the most corrupt of all places in the country) and he doesn't share the same opinion with TI. He even had the experience of being lectured by a policeman and lambasted by a government employee when he tried to offer a bribe. They just refused to be bribed. Those people are worth praising, don't you think?

3. Indonesia 2.4
--Corruption surveys like these are never kind to Indonesia. They really wanted to maintain the reputation, don't they?

2. Cambodia 2.1
--If they are one of the most corrupt, why are they still poor? --I mean the government employees. I go to the Thai-Cambodian border from time to time to play casino. Those same Cambodian Immigration officers who asks for an additional 200 Baht "processing" fee are the same people for like what?-- 5 years ago!? If they get 200 Baht per transient and have more than 2,000 people goes in and out of Cambodia everyday... where do the money go? They still look the same to me!

1. Burma 1.9
--The Military Junta who rules Burma (Myanmar) won't let it go without a fight. The International Community has been bullying them for years but they are still sitting comfortably. Siting the ASEAN's agreement of non-interference, I'm gonna limit my comment on their way of government, I'm not gonna say anything except .... HEY! YOU IDIOTS! FREE AUNG SAN SUU KYI! NOW! -- There. Thank you.


If in case you're wondering Brunei is not on the list, well, as expected; not enough information on them. Brunei is Brunei. They belong to another category. They wouldn't care much, they got lotsa mullah anyway.

Normally, people won't take anything if you do NOT offer anything.

Having said that, I wonder who's really making our governments corrupt?

Us or them?

It's BOTH but mostly US! We keep electing them, dammit!

There. Take that!


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If you want the full list, click here.

Related post: 2007 Edition

"For Better or for Worse, in Straightness and in...Otherwise…When One of You is Bi."

In a perfect world, the “closet” wouldn't even exist because everyone's sexual orientation would be casually out in the open, upfront and universally accepted. The reality, of course, is still miles away from this ideal.

Although media visibility has introduced us to the concept of “gaydar” and a collective idea of what traits trigger it, you really CAN’T tell if someone is straight, gay, or bi just by looking at them, (rainbow badges and “I’m Here, I’m Queer” t-shirts aside). This has made it easy for people to lie outright about their sexuality, or just quietly pass as the default “straight” — as long as nobody suggests otherwise.

The advantage seems obvious— invisibility provides a comfort zone within which one can hide from prejudice in ways visible minorities cannot. Invisibility, however, is also paradoxically to blame for the continued existence of unchallenged homophobia. The thousands of non-straight people who live their lives under the radar add to the impression that alternative sexual orientations belong to a minority small enough to be easily dismissed as deviant.

Because, unlike skin colour or gender, sexual orientation is neither physically apparent nor present immediately at birth, even people who will look upon racists with disgust can still justify other forms of bigotry by convincing themselves that sexuality is a choice, or that it was an acquired perversion due to something that happened to the person.

Throughout history and even today, those who fear persecution or are subject to persistent questioning of their sexual orientation, have resorted to more elaborate charades in the attempt to prove to others that they are straight. Sham relationships and marriages and having children with a person they aren’t really attracted to, these actions help build the elaborate façade they feel is needed to mask their same-sex attraction. For gay people who would choose a real relationship rather than live a charade, disclosure is then required—at the very least, they’ve got to be “out” to each other. Whichever way they go, a relationship means a forced decision — pretend or disclose?

For a bisexual person to enter a relationship with a straight person, however, neither pretending nor disclosure is necessary, leaving the question unasked and therefore unanswered. Whether or not you choose to disclose your bisexuality openly is a very personal matter, and cannot fairly be subject to the judgment of those who aren’t aware of your specific circumstances. However, when it comes to the subject of disclosure to someone with whom you’ve entered (or hope to build) a serious relationship, being upfront about your bisexuality is crucial, for the short- and long-term benefit of both of you.

Hear that? That’s the sound of all those alarm bells going off, joyfully ringing out “THREESOMES!” in the minds of many readers out there. Keep those pants on (for just a sec longer, though—sex should be about fun and fantasies) —here’s how to walk so you can run to your heart’s content later on…you’ll trip if you start with your pants down to your ankles.


It can be a difficult and confusing road for both partners in a relationship where one has taken the big step and revealed their bisexual inclinations to the other. Working together and communicating openly is crucial at every stage of this process, and don’t rush ahead until both sides know they’ve been heard. If one of you is struggling or reluctant, this will hopefully provide a framework for navigating the subject in the most helpful way.


to be continued...