Among the patients moved yesterday: a 28 year old mom with breast cancer and a baby with a breathing problem.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Red Shirts Storm Hospital
One of many sad pictures from Chulalongkorn, the nation's premiere teaching hospital. Many patients chose to be evacuated after Red Shirts stormed in with guns in search of government troops.
Link to NY Times article
ใครฆ่าประชาชน - แม้ว vs. มาร์ค (with subtitles)
Here's a real eye opener . . . a video of Thaksin's and Red Shirt Leader Jatuporn's ranting onstage with English subtitles! This seriously creeps me out. Yes, these same "peaceful patriots" who appeal to the UN for protection are simultaneously declaring their willingness to destroy airport, hospitals and even NGOs if crossed. In case you didn't get the irony, the filmmaker includes frequent cuts to the recent political mayhem.
The filmmaker (seemingly influenced by Michael Moore) splices in footage from past Thai political conflicts and the Holocaust, as well as scenes of violence from the most recent conflicts. Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought Jatuporn sounded exactly like Adolf Hitler.
The most haunting image for me was the 1973 Thai protest. Twenty-thousand protestors at Victory Monument . . . EXACTLY like photos from earlier this month!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Eerie Photos of Barricades Around Red City
Click here to watch a great slide show. Most of these are 1-2 kilometers from my house. As I was watching it, I was thinking, "I used to jog there!" and "I had my hash there!" Now some of those streets look like no-man's-land . .
A Funny
Funniest thing heard all day: a colleague of mine is moving to a school in Saudi next semester. She was emailing with her new principal, who wrote, "Please be careful. We can't wait to get you and your family to the relative safety of our beautiful compound in Riyadh."
Apocalypse Now?
Yesterday (as I stated before) felt like the end times in Nonthaburi! Imagine a raging storm (which snapped mature trees and ripped off portions of the roof at work), while ten minutes away, the Red Shirts and government clashed near Don Muang. I was watching it unfold on Twitter with the thunder crashing in the background when suddenly the lights went out ...
Here's a video from Al Jazeera on YouTube ...
Here's a video from Al Jazeera on YouTube ...
Port O Potty Drama
So if you've watched the video clip about the Red City (a few posts below), you can see trash is starting to pile up at the main protest site. While they were still living in Ratchadamri, my colleagues complained of walking past rows of reeking, overflowing port-0-potties that were baking in the sun. One might think that squalor would naturally follow a seven week protest, but in Bangkok, it hasn't necessarily been so. During past red and yellow shirt protests, the city provided port-o-potties and trash collection free of charge at the protest sites. They considered it a public health service.
The Red Shirts will soon be up to their eyeballs in trash and flies because on April 27 they hijacked four garbage trucks and used them to fortify their barricade at Lang Suan Rd. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it will no longer pick up trash at the rally site. Likewise, they won't be in to service the port-o-potties which by all reports are in sorry shape. April is the hottest month in Bangkok, and the overflowing port-o-potties were already stinking up large swaths of downtown BEFORE the services stopped.
I heard secondhand that the Reds never thanked the city people who came to clean the toilets. Instead, they had only complaints about how filthy the toilets were, and because they were always broken. Words just fail me.
Maybe if the standoff last long enough, the Red Shirts will be driven off by a giant swarm of flies.
On a more serious public health note, cases of Influenza A and H1N1 are spreading among the protestors.
The Red Shirts will soon be up to their eyeballs in trash and flies because on April 27 they hijacked four garbage trucks and used them to fortify their barricade at Lang Suan Rd. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it will no longer pick up trash at the rally site. Likewise, they won't be in to service the port-o-potties which by all reports are in sorry shape. April is the hottest month in Bangkok, and the overflowing port-o-potties were already stinking up large swaths of downtown BEFORE the services stopped.
I heard secondhand that the Reds never thanked the city people who came to clean the toilets. Instead, they had only complaints about how filthy the toilets were, and because they were always broken. Words just fail me.
Maybe if the standoff last long enough, the Red Shirts will be driven off by a giant swarm of flies.
On a more serious public health note, cases of Influenza A and H1N1 are spreading among the protestors.
Economist Article
A succinct read from The Economist on the situation as of April 26 (before yesterday's big blow-up). Looks like we're back to waiting, waiting, waiting today . . .
Prisoners in our own homes
Here's a great opinion piece from The Nation by an expat who lives in Ratchadamri, which happens to be inside the Red City. Several of my colleagues live in the same area. As far as I know, they have all moved out and are living back in ISB housing or with friends except for one person. An excerpt:
During this time, I have been forced to listen to the violence of red rhetoric, 24/7, up to decibel readings of 125, the brainwashing and the preaching of murder and mayhem, and their constant lies, which are an insult to human intelligence. I have witnessed anarchy on the streets and have been subject to extortion. I have had my apartment broken into. I have observed a massive build-up of weapons. I have felt threatened, ostracised and have lived in great fear. I have had no other choice but to walk home through a cesspit. I have eaten on adjacent tables to the red-shirt leaders who were feeding in 4/5-star hotels whilst the hoi polloi were roasting on the streets outside. I have constantly witnessed the police failing to do their job, whilst trying to pretend not to be red-partial
This jives well with the recollections of my coworkers who have since fled.
During this time, I have been forced to listen to the violence of red rhetoric, 24/7, up to decibel readings of 125, the brainwashing and the preaching of murder and mayhem, and their constant lies, which are an insult to human intelligence. I have witnessed anarchy on the streets and have been subject to extortion. I have had my apartment broken into. I have observed a massive build-up of weapons. I have felt threatened, ostracised and have lived in great fear. I have had no other choice but to walk home through a cesspit. I have eaten on adjacent tables to the red-shirt leaders who were feeding in 4/5-star hotels whilst the hoi polloi were roasting on the streets outside. I have constantly witnessed the police failing to do their job, whilst trying to pretend not to be red-partial
This jives well with the recollections of my coworkers who have since fled.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thais Apologize to Visitors
A link to a great blog entry from an expat about her Thai friends' reactions to the protests. Most Thai people just want their Bangkok back.
My fav line: " They want the country to be seen as an Asian tiger, not an Asian cuckoo."
My fav line: " They want the country to be seen as an Asian tiger, not an Asian cuckoo."
Let The Barricades Arise
A video from YouTube of the Red Shirts reinforcing the barricade nearest my house ... it's all very Les Miz.
Roads Open
Despite information to the contrary reported in The Nation, the government doesn't appear to be sealing off Ratchaprasong, and Sukhumvit and Asok roads are open to traffic. There were several trucks of military stationed under the BTS at the intersection. Some were watching the street carefully, but most were milling around drinking coffee.
BTW, Bangkok must have the most smiley police of anywhere in the world. They really need to work on the intimidation thing.
BTW, Bangkok must have the most smiley police of anywhere in the world. They really need to work on the intimidation thing.
Interactive Map
Be sure to use the interactive map in the widget bar to track the action! I've been updating it today. Since I don't know how to center it, and since today's action is in the suburbs, try zooming out, then back in on what you want to see . . .
Bangkok Protests Make the Front Page of CNN.com
A dubious honor to be sure! Click to enlarge the screen shot:
Street Closures
Looks like my street is on the list of those soon to be closed! Excerpt below from The Nation:
The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation has instructed the Metropolitan Police to close traffic around the Rajprasong from Wednesday evening in what believed to be preparations for crackdowns.A source from the Metropolitan Police said the order for closing the traffic was given at 4:15 pm. Police have closing the traffic at the Asoke-Montree Sukhumvit Road. Police will also close traffic at the Phayathai, Saladaeng, Pongphraram, Narathiwat and Henri Dunant interesections.
The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation has instructed the Metropolitan Police to close traffic around the Rajprasong from Wednesday evening in what believed to be preparations for crackdowns.A source from the Metropolitan Police said the order for closing the traffic was given at 4:15 pm. Police have closing the traffic at the Asoke-Montree Sukhumvit Road. Police will also close traffic at the Phayathai, Saladaeng, Pongphraram, Narathiwat and Henri Dunant interesections.
Don Muang Standoff
CNN - Reporting from the scene of the ongoing stand off, 5:20 PM BKK time
Hello again! So after about two weeks of posturing on both sides, the Red Shirts marched north today and have been engaged by government forces near Don Muang Airport (which is fortunately no longer our main airport). Eight were injured and one police officer was killed by friendly fire (at the time of this post).
Just as we heard the news at school (the fighting was only about 10 minutes from us), a huge storm hit. Thunder, lightning, wind, crap blowing everywhere -- I was sitting in my car and it was raining so hard I couldn't see the school thirty feet away. The power was out too. Before I left, a friend of mine said, "If I were a Jehovah's Witness, I would think the apocalypse is coming today!" (Frankly do not know much about Jehovah's Witnesses, but does their version of the endtimes include power outages and Red Shirts?)
Anyhow, got home fine (though traffic very bad headed north through Bangkok), and got a text message to say school was closing early for the day . . . not because of Red Shirt thing, but because there had been so much damage due to the storm! Ah, irony.
Hello again! So after about two weeks of posturing on both sides, the Red Shirts marched north today and have been engaged by government forces near Don Muang Airport (which is fortunately no longer our main airport). Eight were injured and one police officer was killed by friendly fire (at the time of this post).
Just as we heard the news at school (the fighting was only about 10 minutes from us), a huge storm hit. Thunder, lightning, wind, crap blowing everywhere -- I was sitting in my car and it was raining so hard I couldn't see the school thirty feet away. The power was out too. Before I left, a friend of mine said, "If I were a Jehovah's Witness, I would think the apocalypse is coming today!" (Frankly do not know much about Jehovah's Witnesses, but does their version of the endtimes include power outages and Red Shirts?)
Anyhow, got home fine (though traffic very bad headed north through Bangkok), and got a text message to say school was closing early for the day . . . not because of Red Shirt thing, but because there had been so much damage due to the storm! Ah, irony.
Friday, April 16, 2010
The View From A Distance
So we've been in Krabi (the beach) since Monday, and it's a bit surreal trying to keep on top of the events unfolding in Bangkok. Tric and I usually check the paper each morning -- unfortunately the one the hotel puts out is already 2 days old! We have cable, so we have been watching AllNewsAsia, which often has stories on Bangkok (including an excellent 30 min. program last week).
Seem like everyone in Thailand is kind of holding their breath and waiting . . . will the constitutional court dissolve the Democratic party currently in power? Will the military try to force the protestors out of Siam Square (where they are all gathered now?)
The latest from today's paper -- in order to clear the Red Shirts from Siam Square, the military would have to occupy every floor of every mall, luxury hotel and office building on Rama I Rd., so it's looking almost tactically impossible to remove the protestors by force! The protestors appear to be in a very good position.
Seem like everyone in Thailand is kind of holding their breath and waiting . . . will the constitutional court dissolve the Democratic party currently in power? Will the military try to force the protestors out of Siam Square (where they are all gathered now?)
The latest from today's paper -- in order to clear the Red Shirts from Siam Square, the military would have to occupy every floor of every mall, luxury hotel and office building on Rama I Rd., so it's looking almost tactically impossible to remove the protestors by force! The protestors appear to be in a very good position.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Black Saturday
Sigh . . . so while Tric and I were at the hash on Saturday, there was a big riot near Khao Sanh road and 21 people were killed! It was especially a blow to find out because someone had told us (wrongly) that the red shirt leaders had all been arrested and the protestors were dispersing. I realized something must be up when I started getting lots of text messages asking if I was OK.
Since BKK was pretty shut down on Sunday, Tric and I took a walk through the slum near my house. We stopped to talk to some (very poor) men who told us how sad the riot and all the deaths were for the country. Later we met some red shirt protestors on the street (who were very friendly to us and eager to pose for pictures)
In my neighborhood at Nana (where there a lot of Isanese migrants working), almost every Thai in sight had red armbands, shirts and bandanas on in support of the Red Shirts Sunday night! Lek, my bar girl friend at Big Dogs, said she had been to the rally (at Siam Square) for the past three nights.
Right now, Tric and are in Krabi (which is actually a yellow short supporting city) and looking forward to Songkran. The celebration was of course canceled at Khao Sanh Rd.
Hope everyone is well! Will try to keep you informed. We are all just kind of waiting to see what happens next . . .
Since BKK was pretty shut down on Sunday, Tric and I took a walk through the slum near my house. We stopped to talk to some (very poor) men who told us how sad the riot and all the deaths were for the country. Later we met some red shirt protestors on the street (who were very friendly to us and eager to pose for pictures)
In my neighborhood at Nana (where there a lot of Isanese migrants working), almost every Thai in sight had red armbands, shirts and bandanas on in support of the Red Shirts Sunday night! Lek, my bar girl friend at Big Dogs, said she had been to the rally (at Siam Square) for the past three nights.
Right now, Tric and are in Krabi (which is actually a yellow short supporting city) and looking forward to Songkran. The celebration was of course canceled at Khao Sanh Rd.
Hope everyone is well! Will try to keep you informed. We are all just kind of waiting to see what happens next . . .
Friday, April 9, 2010
Great timing
Leaving now for the airport to pick up Tric, my friend who is visiting from LA.
Great timing, eh?
I bet she's always wanted to see 15000 people in red shirts, all in the same place.
Great timing, eh?
I bet she's always wanted to see 15000 people in red shirts, all in the same place.
Rumors Dispelled
Just back from a stroll and wanted to say (before my parents read these posts and get freaked) that there are no helicopters and no tanks (at least not downtown) and that life appears to be getting on as usual.
Not sure. Some of the helicopter pics could be from up north in Nonthaburi/Pathum Thani.
There were about 100 red shirts left in front of the mall (of 8000 that marched north today), and they are still blocking traffic and making noise, but it's much more subdued than I recall earlier this week!
The malls are not open yet, though.
In other news - People TV is live again!
Not sure. Some of the helicopter pics could be from up north in Nonthaburi/Pathum Thani.
There were about 100 red shirts left in front of the mall (of 8000 that marched north today), and they are still blocking traffic and making noise, but it's much more subdued than I recall earlier this week!
The malls are not open yet, though.
In other news - People TV is live again!
Ah. Not quite.
They managed to get through the initial line of soldiers guarding the Thaicom building and have occupied the premeses, but they aren't inside yet.
The building is well fortified and full of soldiers.
Thirteen Red Shirts were injured. Scroll down to the bottom of the BP story for slide show.
The building is well fortified and full of soldiers.
Thirteen Red Shirts were injured. Scroll down to the bottom of the BP story for slide show.
Thaicom Crumbles?
Unconfirmed reports that People TV is back on air. Need to go out and see if the neighbors are watching it . . .
Great photo spread from the Thaicom siege here.
Great photo spread from the Thaicom siege here.
Nonthaburi under siege
For those of you who remember how much I loved (hint - sarcasm) living in Nonthaburi, please note that the Reds are now threatening to take over Nonthaburi Provincial Hall if their demands are not met!
I'd normally say they are welcome to it, but I've got lots of friends up there =(
I'd normally say they are welcome to it, but I've got lots of friends up there =(
Rumors Flying ...
Well if you can believe what you read on Twitter, It Has Begun: tanks in Siam Square, military helicopters patrolling the city, mayhem at Thaicom . . .
I kinda doubt it, though. You know how these things go.
However, CNN posted at about 4:30 BKK time to report that police did try to repel protestors at Thaicom with water cannons and tear gas, and there are unconfirmed reports of injuries.
And here's a photo of all the weapons one of the checkpoints has rounded up today. It's from Twitter, though, so it could be like ten years old from some other country for all we know!
Oh, my. Twitter is going crackers. 21 new tweets in the minute it took me to type that . . .
May go for one more stroll around the neighborhood and make sure there are no tanks headed down Sukhumvit. Maybe I can see one of those cool helicopters!
I kinda doubt it, though. You know how these things go.
However, CNN posted at about 4:30 BKK time to report that police did try to repel protestors at Thaicom with water cannons and tear gas, and there are unconfirmed reports of injuries.
And here's a photo of all the weapons one of the checkpoints has rounded up today. It's from Twitter, though, so it could be like ten years old from some other country for all we know!
Oh, my. Twitter is going crackers. 21 new tweets in the minute it took me to type that . . .
May go for one more stroll around the neighborhood and make sure there are no tanks headed down Sukhumvit. Maybe I can see one of those cool helicopters!
Irony
Anyone else think it's hilarious that ISB had all the downtown people stay home . . . and now the Red Shirts are headed straight through Nonthaburi?
They let everyone who was there go home at 2:05. Just in case . . .
Oops. Make that 1:20.
They let everyone who was there go home at 2:05. Just in case . . .
Oops. Make that 1:20.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
And they're off!
Rather than heading to 10 separate sites as promised, the Red Shirts are converging on the Thaicom building in the northern suburbs of Bangkok (check the Google Map, now embedded on the sidebar and keep going north, north, north . . .) Fifteen-thousand protestors have surrounded the compound and are vowing to stay until People's TV is back on the air.
The good news: they're making their stand far away from downtown.
The bad news: it's looking a bit tense . . . there are 6000 soldiers inside to protect the station and the government has given "dire warnings" about the consequences of any attempt to enter. Protestors, however, say they will stay until People TV is back on the air.
Some photos --
Here they come up Vibhavadi Rangsit (toll road)
And here they are going around the Victory Monument traffic circle . . .
The good news: they're making their stand far away from downtown.
The bad news: it's looking a bit tense . . . there are 6000 soldiers inside to protect the station and the government has given "dire warnings" about the consequences of any attempt to enter. Protestors, however, say they will stay until People TV is back on the air.
Some photos --
Here they come up Vibhavadi Rangsit (toll road)
And here they are going around the Victory Monument traffic circle . . .
Police Checkpoint Near Nana
Here are some photos from the police/military checkpoint on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 4 (I've added the spot to the Google map). I stood and watched them awhile and they seemed pretty laid back. Red shirts came by on motorcycles and they stopped them only for a few seconds and let them through. They weren't stopping regular traffic (which is now moving along fine).
Video Clip From Sukhumvit Friday
There was a lot of red in the traffic this morning headed down Sukhumvit. This isn't the promised march, by the way; these guys are heading toward the rally point at Rama I, not away from it. When they move together, they will be so thick the street will become impassable.
Apparently Red Shirts are getting the word out that anyone with a private car should bring it to the rally today. **Shudder**
Waiting . . .
Photo at Asok Junction - Friday 10 am
I've done two walks around the neighborhood to see what's going on (no Mom, I didn't go to the protest site =) Last night and today, there appear to be a ton of red shirts in pick-ups and motor bikes heading toward the Ratchaprasong (Siam Square) rally site. They all look jubilant and are shaking their noisemakers and dancing to the disco trucks. Supporters on the street (many of the taxi drivers and street food vendors) cheer when they pass.
I've been texting with friends who live at Ratchadamri (right on top of the protest site - I've added to the google map =) who report that the volume and intensity of the rally is definitely heating up, though they are on the wrong side of the building to see the action first hand.
Still waiting to see when and where the Red Shirts will march today. They have claimed they will move en masse to 10 undisclosed locations. Quotes from the leaders indicate that "we will tear up all the laws" and "we don't want to call it the final day, but if we can score a knockout, we definitely will . . ."
For the first time, foreigners and tourists have been explicitly warned to avoid the rally sites.
Where It's At
Here's a Google Map of where the Red Shirts are, as compared to my house and ISB. The Map isn't center correctly -- hit minus until you see a house, two red areas and a school:
View My Neighborhood - Red Shirt Locations in a larger map
View My Neighborhood - Red Shirt Locations in a larger map
Farang Speaks at Red Shirt Rally
Both the links below have already been blocked. Here is a link to rebroadcast footage of a farang speaking at the red shirt rally today!
I'd pay a lot to know what he's saying . . .
I'd pay a lot to know what he's saying . . .
School's Out For Songkran!
Just got email that ISB will be closed tomorrow! Teachers who are not in the protest area are asked to come in, but those who are downtown (lower Suk, Ruamrudee, Ratchadamri areas) are expected to stay home!
Hmm. What to do with all the free time?
Hmm. What to do with all the free time?
No Crackdown, No Curfew
The government denies again that they will use force to quell the rebellion at the mall.
The no curfew news is good news for Tric (whom I need to pick up at the airport tomorrow night, five minutes after midnight =)
The no curfew news is good news for Tric (whom I need to pick up at the airport tomorrow night, five minutes after midnight =)
Largest Red Shirt rally ever set for Friday
The UDD is calling all Red Shirts to join the "largest Rally ever" at Ratchaprasong/Siam Square, beginning at 9 am Friday. "We will celebrate Songkran [Thai New Year, April 13-15] and victory," said one UDD leader. The Red Shirts claim they will "intensify protest activities" in a last ditch attempt to force the government to it's knees.
In statements here and here, the government has said that it will not use force to disperse the protestors in front of the mall, despite declaring a State of Emergency last night.
In statements here and here, the government has said that it will not use force to disperse the protestors in front of the mall, despite declaring a State of Emergency last night.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Effective Wednesday night, Thailand's Information and Technology Ministry has successfully blocked signals of the satellite-based People Channel (PTV) which carries messages from the UDD leadership to supporters throughout the country. The ministry claims the action is justified under the State of Emergency decree because PTV is broadcasting malicious falsehoods about the government and it's handling of the red shirt mess.
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights when I was jogging, I stopped to watch PTV with a group that had gathered in front of what must have been the only satellite set in the neighborhood. The man speaking Tuesday reminded me so much of photos I've seen of Chairman Mao! He was evne wearing the same hat - just this tiny ant on a stage in front of the thousands of red shirts camped out in front of the mall. Everything was in Thai, but I caught the words "eighteen," "sabai dee (feel good)" and "Abhisit (prime minister)."
One of the officials quoted expressed the optmistic hope that without central direction, the red shirts will "wander aimlessly" and "do something else."
By the way, at least for now, you can watch PTV on the internet. It's interesting for a couple seconds! Here's some links:
PowerDMC
Ustream
Tweeted 3 hours ago: At 12.05 Jaturon (UDD leader)took the stage and told Reds that the blackout of PTV means the end of Govt. Hmm ...
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights when I was jogging, I stopped to watch PTV with a group that had gathered in front of what must have been the only satellite set in the neighborhood. The man speaking Tuesday reminded me so much of photos I've seen of Chairman Mao! He was evne wearing the same hat - just this tiny ant on a stage in front of the thousands of red shirts camped out in front of the mall. Everything was in Thai, but I caught the words "eighteen," "sabai dee (feel good)" and "Abhisit (prime minister)."
One of the officials quoted expressed the optmistic hope that without central direction, the red shirts will "wander aimlessly" and "do something else."
By the way, at least for now, you can watch PTV on the internet. It's interesting for a couple seconds! Here's some links:
PowerDMC
Ustream
Tweeted 3 hours ago: At 12.05 Jaturon (UDD leader)took the stage and told Reds that the blackout of PTV means the end of Govt. Hmm ...
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Nothing doing
Just got back from my run, where I saw absolutely zilch protest action. If anything, it's super quiet out there! Traffic is light and the park is empty (though could be the weather - not even noon and it's already 96 degrees).
I saw only two people in red shirts, neither of whom appeared to be protestors (unless they seriously missed the memo).
I saw only two people in red shirts, neither of whom appeared to be protestors (unless they seriously missed the memo).
Mall Rats
Since last Saturday (April 1) the protestors have been gathering at the Ratchaprasong intersection near Siam Square. For the past week, they have completely shut down Bangkok's block of luxury malls (Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Central World, etc.), as well as closing down Rama I, one of Bangkok's main thoroughfares. Here's a good description of the scene from a Thai columnist who went walking and talking among the protestors last Tuesday (before the current State of Emergency).
Among the revelations:
* Yes! Thousands of protestors do sleep on the pavement in front of the mall. They tell him it's no big deal - they are farmers, so they are "used to sleeping in the jungle."
* The food stalls are serving up fantastic fare! However . . .
* There are no public bathrooms and people are relieving themselves wherever they can (and, one most assume, not washing their hands before they cook that yummy street food)
* There are many children at the protest (very worrisome considering recent developments).
Regarding, the last point, the commentator feels it "won't look good" if the government uses force with children present. I'm thinking, what competent parent would bring their four-year-old to such an event? Are they that confident there won't be violence? And if children are present, why are they freaking picking fights with the police?
Anyway, an interesting read! I had toyed with taking a stroll through the protest area today, but might give it a miss until I see the government's next move . . .
Among the revelations:
* Yes! Thousands of protestors do sleep on the pavement in front of the mall. They tell him it's no big deal - they are farmers, so they are "used to sleeping in the jungle."
* The food stalls are serving up fantastic fare! However . . .
* There are no public bathrooms and people are relieving themselves wherever they can (and, one most assume, not washing their hands before they cook that yummy street food)
* There are many children at the protest (very worrisome considering recent developments).
Regarding, the last point, the commentator feels it "won't look good" if the government uses force with children present. I'm thinking, what competent parent would bring their four-year-old to such an event? Are they that confident there won't be violence? And if children are present, why are they freaking picking fights with the police?
Anyway, an interesting read! I had toyed with taking a stroll through the protest area today, but might give it a miss until I see the government's next move . . .
Bangkok: At least it's not Bishkek
One more thing before I jog ...
Also in the news yesterday, protestors in Bishkek (another city clost to my heart) overthrew the government of Kyrgyzstan in their own massive protest. Follow this link to an excellent article and scary video footage.
To lend perspective, Bishkek is WAY more serious than the Bangkok thing. The Red Shirt protestors (mostly poor farmers from the rural northwest who are paid for their efforts) spend most of their time sleeping, listening to speeches, and dancing to Thai country music on mobile "disco trucks." Other than occasional scuffles with the police (who so far have run away every time), it has a definite holiday/county fair kind of vibe.
I'm guessing the guys in Bishkek weren't paid.
Also in the news yesterday, protestors in Bishkek (another city clost to my heart) overthrew the government of Kyrgyzstan in their own massive protest. Follow this link to an excellent article and scary video footage.
To lend perspective, Bishkek is WAY more serious than the Bangkok thing. The Red Shirt protestors (mostly poor farmers from the rural northwest who are paid for their efforts) spend most of their time sleeping, listening to speeches, and dancing to Thai country music on mobile "disco trucks." Other than occasional scuffles with the police (who so far have run away every time), it has a definite holiday/county fair kind of vibe.
I'm guessing the guys in Bishkek weren't paid.
Don't believe everything you see on CNN
Those following the news at home be warned . . .
Though I can't predict what will happen with this latest round of protests, my impression from living in Bangkok and Jakarta is that the western media always picks the scariest, bloodiest, freakiest, most outrageous footage and goes crazy with it, and that it's grossly inaccurate to the daily reality. For example, last year at Songkran, the Red Shirts and the police had a clash at Victory Monument that involved flaming bus smashing into a barricade. This affected regular people very little, but when I saw it on CNN, they made Bangkok look like a scene out of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. I was both shocked and hugely pissed-off, because while fiery footage grabs viewers, it also hurts Thailand's tourism, which is massive chunk of the economy. Would it kill the media to show a more balanced view? (/rant)
OK. Am really going jogging now!
Though I can't predict what will happen with this latest round of protests, my impression from living in Bangkok and Jakarta is that the western media always picks the scariest, bloodiest, freakiest, most outrageous footage and goes crazy with it, and that it's grossly inaccurate to the daily reality. For example, last year at Songkran, the Red Shirts and the police had a clash at Victory Monument that involved flaming bus smashing into a barricade. This affected regular people very little, but when I saw it on CNN, they made Bangkok look like a scene out of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. I was both shocked and hugely pissed-off, because while fiery footage grabs viewers, it also hurts Thailand's tourism, which is massive chunk of the economy. Would it kill the media to show a more balanced view? (/rant)
OK. Am really going jogging now!
State of Emergency
Hey friends! I started this blog so you get updates on Bangkok and the Red Shirt hoopla. I will try to link to some more authoritative sources to explain all the background and politics in later posts, but for now you're stuck with my aimless rambling (and occasional ranting) . . .
I woke up for work as usual this morning (at 5 am). While I was drinking my morning Diet Coke, my mum called from Cleveland to ask if I was OK. She actually knew before I did about the State of Emergency in Bangkok. I assured her this had been going on for a month (thinking she just meant the Red Shirt protests).
I checked the Bangkok Post website and found a picture of protestors taking guns from the police and waving them in triumph (yes, that's our prime minister on the left, looking shocked). This under a huge headline: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN BANGKOK. (I can't exactly plead ignorance, can I?)
Apparently while I was in my work bubble yesterday, 80 Red Shirts (who have been protesting since March 12 at government buildings, embassies and most recently malls) stormed Parliament House and chased the MPs, including Prime Minister Abhisit out the back door. The lawmakers escaped by climbing over the compound wall into a nearby building, where they were rescued by a helicopter and flown to a secure Army base. This blatant attempt to overthrow the government prompted the Prime Minister Abhisit to declare a State of Emergency in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Effectively, the State of Emergency decree expands the power of the military to:
*Ban gatherings of 5 or more persons (watch out tonight at Happy Hour!)
*Detain suspects for up to a month without due process
*Restrict press freedom (even more than usual)
*Declare curfews in certain areas
And (most worryingly)
*Expands powers of the PM to use soldiers to quell unrest
I hadn't checked my cell phone in about 15 hours, as I'd been busy after work on an assignment for my writing class. Lo and behold: there were 7 messages! Four were from ISB, saying school was canceled for the day. I found this a bit ominous, as we've never had a protest day in the two years I've been here, even when the yellow-shirts (rival shirt group) took over the airport in December 2008.
There was also a text message from my mom (already 12 hours old) asking if everything was all right. Doh! No wonder she's calling me at 5 AM. So I am starting this blog for her, and also for my friend Tric (who is scheduled to arrive from L.A. in, oh, just under 36 hours . . .) and might want to see how things are shaping up . . .
OK, since don't have to work, am going to have a jog around the park while it's still relatively cool.
I woke up for work as usual this morning (at 5 am). While I was drinking my morning Diet Coke, my mum called from Cleveland to ask if I was OK. She actually knew before I did about the State of Emergency in Bangkok. I assured her this had been going on for a month (thinking she just meant the Red Shirt protests).
I checked the Bangkok Post website and found a picture of protestors taking guns from the police and waving them in triumph (yes, that's our prime minister on the left, looking shocked). This under a huge headline: STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED IN BANGKOK. (I can't exactly plead ignorance, can I?)
Apparently while I was in my work bubble yesterday, 80 Red Shirts (who have been protesting since March 12 at government buildings, embassies and most recently malls) stormed Parliament House and chased the MPs, including Prime Minister Abhisit out the back door. The lawmakers escaped by climbing over the compound wall into a nearby building, where they were rescued by a helicopter and flown to a secure Army base. This blatant attempt to overthrow the government prompted the Prime Minister Abhisit to declare a State of Emergency in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
Effectively, the State of Emergency decree expands the power of the military to:
*Ban gatherings of 5 or more persons (watch out tonight at Happy Hour!)
*Detain suspects for up to a month without due process
*Restrict press freedom (even more than usual)
*Declare curfews in certain areas
And (most worryingly)
*Expands powers of the PM to use soldiers to quell unrest
I hadn't checked my cell phone in about 15 hours, as I'd been busy after work on an assignment for my writing class. Lo and behold: there were 7 messages! Four were from ISB, saying school was canceled for the day. I found this a bit ominous, as we've never had a protest day in the two years I've been here, even when the yellow-shirts (rival shirt group) took over the airport in December 2008.
There was also a text message from my mom (already 12 hours old) asking if everything was all right. Doh! No wonder she's calling me at 5 AM. So I am starting this blog for her, and also for my friend Tric (who is scheduled to arrive from L.A. in, oh, just under 36 hours . . .) and might want to see how things are shaping up . . .
OK, since don't have to work, am going to have a jog around the park while it's still relatively cool.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
