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 . . .