Talk about dubious distinctions! My district Klong Toey (along with six others) has been declared a disaster zone! My immediate area is OK, but Klong Toey also includes Bon Kai and there was (briefly) a satellite Red Stage in the market.
I went through the damaged area in a taxi on Friday and fire damage was extensive - blocks of store fronts blackened.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Dumbass Farangs who take sides with redshirts
Dear clueless bonehead Farang tourists who were giving interviews to press about your red shirt sympathies around April 10 ...
How do you like them now?
And where are they hiding that Sean guy?
How do you like them now?
And where are they hiding that Sean guy?
เผาเมืองอย่างสันติอหิงสา Bangkok Ablaze (subtitles)
Video of Thaksin's speeches with subtitles ... for full effect, watch on YouTube to see subtitles better and read comments!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
When to go home?
By now those of us who are "refugees" at the golf course are desperate to get home. Unfortunately, a few must wait as bombs were discovered rigged under the Four Seasons Hotel in the Ratchadamri area. They are being told three days ...
My area is apparently OK, so will either be tonight or tomorrow. Can't wait to be back in my own digs and out of hotel room!
My area is apparently OK, so will either be tonight or tomorrow. Can't wait to be back in my own digs and out of hotel room!
Farang looter update
The Farang who threatened to burn down Central World has identified himself and claims he was completely kidding, and that he was shocked when protesters did indeed burn down Central World.
Video is removed from YouTube, but I have it if anyone wants to watch ...
Video is removed from YouTube, but I have it if anyone wants to watch ...
Journalist's eyewitness account from inside the Pathum Wattana Temple
Red Shirt women and children who remained at the protest site through May 19 had faith that they would be safe inside an adjacent temple. A journalist's account of how that day unfolded ... accounts are still unclear, but 7-9 bodies were found in the temple when the smoke cleared this morning ...
Farang Threatens To Burn Central World Down And Steal Everything From It...
This is a three day old video (from back when there was a Central World). And this is not the only farang who protested with the Red Shirts! BAD LANGUAGE WARNING.
Lynn, what's that you always say about Thailand being a haven for freaks who can't assimilate?
Status update
Hoping to go home to Soi 4 on Saturday. Very desperate to get out of Nichada Thani bubble, which always hated.
Have food poisoning. Rather miserable. Can't sit at computer very long.
May post more tomorrow.
And yes, we do have school.
Have food poisoning. Rather miserable. Can't sit at computer very long.
May post more tomorrow.
And yes, we do have school.
Photos (some graphic)
Link to a great collection of photos. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT.
Here's my favorite. Yeah, you guys can stand in front of that peaceful protesters sign all you want ...
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
RIP Central World (and Paragon)
Dear CentralWorld,
I don't normally like malls, but you were always there for me when I had to run in fast to buy a b-day present or fix my sh*tty i-Pod that always croaks.
I'll always remember the time I was waiting at Burger King in your basement, eating the fries off my tray ... and they were someone else's fries.
You gave me everything I needed to climb Kilimanjaro.
When I last saw you, I was going to pay my phone bill (though found out later it was stupid landlord that didn't pay phone bill, actually). I got off the BTS (the one they just blew up) and there were Red Shirts for as far as the eye can see. We didn't take them seriously back then, so I was kind of surprised to find them there. Anyway, you were chained shut, so we never got to party again.
I bought a clacker and some arm bands from those smiling country dumbasses that were hanging out in front of you. It all seemed so harmless. I just wanted souvenirs. Sorry CentralWorld, if I'd known they were gonna burn you down, I would have shoved that clacker up someone's arse and clacked it until their teeth fell out.
It's really sad to see, CW. Since being sad for all the people who died, were hurt, lost their jobs, lost their livelihood, are still in harm's way is far too devastating to even entertain, I think I will just focus on you. I took you for granted. Now I will never see you again, even if they rebuild you, cause I'm leaving.
RIP CW.
Love me.
And Paragon. I never liked you as much cause you are so snooty, and you're floors are marked wrong. But I will miss you too.
Channel 3 on fire ...
In case you missed it in the last article, here is wider coverage of the channel 3 situation. To make a long story short, the Reds stormed a building (they are targeting media outlets) and set fire to it, left 100 people inside, and shot the firetrucks that arrived to fight the fire ... a helicopter rescue is now being attempted.
How unbelievably cruel and awful. And these are the ones that make much about being peaceful protesters and needing assistance from the UN against the fascist, aggressive government ...
How unbelievably cruel and awful. And these are the ones that make much about being peaceful protesters and needing assistance from the UN against the fascist, aggressive government ...
Lynn and Andrew's Photos
Photo Title: CentralWorld's got a problem ... or as Andrew says, they just unveiled a new Pope at CentralWorld.
For those who have been following the drama of Lynn and Andrew who have been stuck since Thursday night at All Seasons Place by Conrad, here are some photos from the scene. They report they are fine by the way, and so is Sir Isaac Newton (the parrot who is watching the fire in the first shot).
Looks like the smoke is in the direction of CentralWorld.
Bangkok is burning
3:57 Bangkok is burning
That's a direct quote from the BKK Post ticker just now. The lead story at the moment is Mobs Burn Bangkok.
I am watching Bangkok burn down on Twitter and Youtube while babysitting a stranded second grader. Might send her out to sharpen my pencils so I can have a good cry ...
That's a direct quote from the BKK Post ticker just now. The lead story at the moment is Mobs Burn Bangkok.
I am watching Bangkok burn down on Twitter and Youtube while babysitting a stranded second grader. Might send her out to sharpen my pencils so I can have a good cry ...
Smoke over my house!
Reds Run Amok
Absolute nightmare day at work. Began with getting ready as photos of tanks moving in began to appear on internet. Continued through insane fighting and panicky texts from friends still downtown. Which brings us up to speed ... Red Shirt leaders have surrendered, and we now find that they were not actually in control of anything at all ...
A link to the latest from BKK Post
A link to the latest from BKK Post
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Ah, irony
Link to an enlightening article much retweeted last night. I love the tweet:
From @sinewave77:
Irony: Redshirts attack reporter because they're afraid she was portraying them as violent
From @sinewave77:
Irony: Redshirts attack reporter because they're afraid she was portraying them as violent
And here come the tanks ...
Reports all over Twitter today the APCs are headed towards Sathorn, Lumphini and Din Daeng. Photo above is not actually a flying tank, that one's on the Rama IV flyover from what I can tell (the view is from between two high rises).
Journalists on the ground are tweeting that the Ratchaprasong stage is emptying out and that women and children are sheltering in a nearby temple.
Stay tuned ...
Refugee Life
So Duri and me are now in a hotel room in Nonthaburi, and things are better. We can go outside, jog, and sit on the porch without having to listen to gunshots and explosions. The air smells like crap (we are in a somewhat rural area) instead of burning tires. Our most dramatic moment so far was when I came home from work and thought Duri was gone from the room, only to discover that hotel staff had accidentally shut him in the closet.
There are many of us up here from school and we are grateful, but we are all still wanting to go home, and hoping it won't be too long.
There are many of us up here from school and we are grateful, but we are all still wanting to go home, and hoping it won't be too long.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Am safe!
Hey all! Am safe (and frankly somewhat tipsy with joy) to have landed in Nonthaburi province near work. Own story rather boring, but swapping stories here and there with coworker evacuated in armoured personel carriers, witnessing live fire and riot situations, etc. We are all very happy to have our own little compound where the somewhat damaged can congregate, but if you are in serious danger, please do visit the BKK booth at any of the Thailand fairs ...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Protest Places Bangkok's 'Red' Children in the Line of Fire
Protest Places Bangkok's 'Red' Children in the Line of Fire
In an article for TIME, Red Shirt parents admit in interviews that if they die for democracy, they want their children with them. And Red Shirt leader Nattawut tells a journalist that he hasn't made a call from the Red Shirt stage for parents to remove their children, claiming that that "is the government's job."
And he insists the children are NOT human shields.
Really. It made me a bit sick.
In an article for TIME, Red Shirt parents admit in interviews that if they die for democracy, they want their children with them. And Red Shirt leader Nattawut tells a journalist that he hasn't made a call from the Red Shirt stage for parents to remove their children, claiming that that "is the government's job."
And he insists the children are NOT human shields.
Really. It made me a bit sick.
Last words from Soi 4
Just went down to Soi 4 to check things out. Was like taking a stroll in Kabul. Almost nonstop gunfire and screaming from Bon Kai (less then a mile south through Tobacco Monopoly). Gun shots, explosions and possibly fireworks were going off in a 180 degree arc from Khlong Toey to Petchaburi.
Guys will be happy to know that all the go-go bars appear to still be open, despite the curfew threatened earlier today.
Not terribly sad to be leaving this place ...
Guys will be happy to know that all the go-go bars appear to still be open, despite the curfew threatened earlier today.
Not terribly sad to be leaving this place ...
Getting outta Dodge
So tomorrow I've asked for a school van to pick up me and Duri to take us both up to Nonthaburi. While things are not affecting me directly right now, my Soi is now the edge of the new perimeter and the hot zones of Wireless Rd. and Bon Kai are a bit close for comfort. Also, traveling to school past Victory Monument (and God knows where else they will be fighting tomorrow and the next day) is not terribly appealing.
So for safety's sake, to have a chance to go outside in the fresh air and to better focus on my last few weeks of work, I'm moving temporarily to Nichada Thani until things settle down a bit. The situation shows no sign of getting better in the next few days, so am trying to prepare mentally for a long absence.
It's very hard to leave behind friends who live nearby, including a few who feel they are in real danger and cannot leave their buildings. Be safe everyone and keep on top of the situation! Keep the emergency information for your embassies/employers handy and have a Plan B you can execute before things get too dicey!
So for safety's sake, to have a chance to go outside in the fresh air and to better focus on my last few weeks of work, I'm moving temporarily to Nichada Thani until things settle down a bit. The situation shows no sign of getting better in the next few days, so am trying to prepare mentally for a long absence.
It's very hard to leave behind friends who live nearby, including a few who feel they are in real danger and cannot leave their buildings. Be safe everyone and keep on top of the situation! Keep the emergency information for your embassies/employers handy and have a Plan B you can execute before things get too dicey!
Bon Kai and the Battle Khlong Toey
A hot spot has developed about a mile from my house at the Khlong Toey market. Incidentally, for those who have heard my jogging story from Thursday night, this was exactly the neighborhood I ran through in order to get away from the panicky mob at Thai Belgian Bridge. All day I've been able to hear gunfire and see smoke rising from this area. When we drove by today on our way home from Hua Hin, a large crowd was watching from an overpass. I'll try and post some of the pictures I took later ...
In the meantime, footage of the scene from good old Al Jazeera to tide you over:
Apparently the Red Shirts have set up a stage there also. And here is a photo of the crowd with a woman holding a baby in the front row ... words fail me.
Abhisit: No turning back
A defiant Prime Minister Abhisit addressed the nation last night, claiming the loss of life was justified and that there was no turning back in the fight to liberate BKK from the Red Shirts.
What ever happened to tear gas? What ever happened to starving people out? I'm just not convinced the government tried everything they could have to bring a peaceful yet successful resolution.
Then again, perhaps some in the rabble really wanted this fight.
All of us have our fingers crossed that NGOs, journalists and others can get the work-a-day protestors evacuated from Red City. There are still sporadic reports of women and children in the crowd at the rally stage.
What ever happened to tear gas? What ever happened to starving people out? I'm just not convinced the government tried everything they could have to bring a peaceful yet successful resolution.
Then again, perhaps some in the rabble really wanted this fight.
All of us have our fingers crossed that NGOs, journalists and others can get the work-a-day protestors evacuated from Red City. There are still sporadic reports of women and children in the crowd at the rally stage.
New interactive map
Someone finally beat me at the map game ... I've replaced my little homemade map with the excellent and better updated "Bangkok Dangerous" map by Richard Barrow ...
My house is no longer on there, which is no longer terribly relevant as I am leaving at 6 am tomorrow to stay up in Nonthaburi. It's closer to work and so far much, much safer!
My house is no longer on there, which is no longer terribly relevant as I am leaving at 6 am tomorrow to stay up in Nonthaburi. It's closer to work and so far much, much safer!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Report from Saturn
Erin (a friend who is in Hua Hin with me who lives in the Saturn area) just got a call from her husband Tim. He was at a conference in California this week and just landed in BKK last night. A school van was supposed to pick him up, but the van refused to take him downtown. Tim took a taxi which had to go through two checkpoints. At one of them, a military guy jumped into the cab to ensure he could get through! He said everything was fine, they got home through backstreets. His only concern: there was a pile of tires burning in the middle of Saturn as they turned into his soi!
Tim's motto has always been "We're fine as long as there's no smoke." Doh. On a good note, he says the path is clear to their local grocery store.
Tim's motto has always been "We're fine as long as there's no smoke." Doh. On a good note, he says the path is clear to their local grocery store.
New Mandala: Nick Nostitz witnesses shootings at Din Daeng
For those who have seen photos for the five wounded men trapped behind tires at Din Daeng, here is an eyewitness account from Nick Nostitz.
And here is amateur video of the incident. BLOOD WARNING.
And here is amateur video of the incident. BLOOD WARNING.
Kevin Revolinski's blog
Another eyewitness blog from an actual eyewitness ... Kevin Revolinski's apartment is right be Sala Daeng intersection and witnessed the beginnings of the conflagration as Seh Daeng was shot nearby.
Looks like he hasn't update since Thursday night (although that entry is quite good). Hopefully he's left and gone elsewhere ...
Looks like he hasn't update since Thursday night (although that entry is quite good). Hopefully he's left and gone elsewhere ...
Man shot for taunting soldier with laser pen
A NYT reporter's eyewitness account of soldiers shooting a protestor after he taunted them with a laser pen.
For those who don't live in BKK, I am taunted daily with laser pens (mostly from tauts who want me to buy said laser pen). While it does get on one's nerves, the punishment in this case seems out of all possible proportion ...
For those who don't live in BKK, I am taunted daily with laser pens (mostly from tauts who want me to buy said laser pen). While it does get on one's nerves, the punishment in this case seems out of all possible proportion ...
Army Declares Shoot to Kill
It's a new morning in Hua Hin ... time to check the news in Bangkok! Among the first things I found was this article from The Age Australia. I can't say it was comforting! An excerpt that cuts straight to the chase:
THE Thai army has declared parts of Bangkok ''live-fire zones'', saying that anybody - be they protester, resident, tourist or journalist - who enters certain roads in the capital will be shot on sight.
Yup. Can't wait to get back to good old BKK. None of those is too near me, fortunately.
I also liked the part where the Red Shirts still inside Red City (some 7000 to 8000 people by this morning's estimates) are stockpiling motor oil and mung beans to make the streets slippery when the soldiers come marching in ...
THE Thai army has declared parts of Bangkok ''live-fire zones'', saying that anybody - be they protester, resident, tourist or journalist - who enters certain roads in the capital will be shot on sight.
Yup. Can't wait to get back to good old BKK. None of those is too near me, fortunately.
I also liked the part where the Red Shirts still inside Red City (some 7000 to 8000 people by this morning's estimates) are stockpiling motor oil and mung beans to make the streets slippery when the soldiers come marching in ...
Thailand's Red Shirts refuse to back down
Footage from the fighting in Bangkok over the past two days. Sooo strange to see so many familiar places ...
Dear Bangkok, WTF?!
In Hua Hin right now watching BKK burn and explode on TV ... we are all seriously gutted. Heather, my roommate who lives in Red City has just learned that Ratchaprasong is a live fire zone! So much for going home ...
Friday, May 14, 2010
It's Come To This ....
The photo above is of a sandbag bunker I came upon while jogging on Thursday night, just as the fighting started. Gunshots could be clearly heard in the direction of Red City -- I headed home to find out (on Twitter first of course) that Seh Daeng, one of the leaders had been shot
I had called Lynn to maybe stay with her in Thonburi if things got bad, but she ended up stopping by our other friend Andrew's house in Ploenchit/Wireless and is now stuck there ... doh! So they are just holed up in the apartment, waiting for things to calm down ... wonder how long the wait will be?
As for me, I'm writing from Hua Hin where we came right after school yesterday ... so strange to be on a beautiful white sand beach watching Bangkok implode on my laptop. There are three of us here who are from downtown, including one who lives right in the Red City, and frankly, we are all anxious to get back. Weird how hard it is to force yourself to leave home in an emergency ... I understand better now while people stayed for Hurricane Katrina and similar tragedies.
A few amazing (and rather graphic photos) ... WARNING: BLOOD
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Things Heating Up ...
Just returned from a jog (not in protest site but must admit not at all far ... curiosity might just kill this cat one day). Also seemed quite safe as TONS of people out rubbernecking, trying to spot the promised tanks.
First stop: overpass near Wave Place at Ploenchit BTS. It has a nice view up and down Wireless Road and also overlooks the Chidlom Barricade (which appears to have tripled in size and number of bamboo spears sticking out). Press and tourists milling around on overpass, shouting things into cell phones like, "so where are the damn tanks?" Thai TV crew had put down camera and appeared to be sleeping.
Started jogging down Wireless and i-Pod began in characteristic bastard fashion to malfunction. Shut off i-Pod and immediately heard noise that I assumed was fireworks. In back of mind, wondered if it could be gunfire, but figured if it was anything it was probably protestors shooting rockets at a helicopter. Though no helicopters around, really.
Passed barricade to Sarasin Rd, which was open. Looked like the entrance to a haunted house, all red and black with Abhisit effigy and a few buffalos made out of trash bags. And lots of signs in Thai which I of course can't read. Meh.
So here's the really freaky part ... got down to the corner of Rama IV and Silom (in front of Suan Lum Night Bazaar). There were tons of rubberneckers standing on the road island and another crowd in front of the Bazaar, including some press. As I turned down Rama IV, I ran (almost immediately) into a group of soldiers hiding behind a line of port-o-potties, gripping their guns. Then in front of them I noticed about six soldiers huddled behind a sandbag wall, aiming their guns down Silom. They looked very ... focused. Like some monster was about to come out of the dark down there. Though I would swear one of them was wearing an i-Pod.
I turned around and immediately one of the port-o-potty guys pointed the other way, as if to say, go back. Though he didn't bother a bunch of Thai teenagers that were heading off in the same direction.
As I went back through the intersection, a truck came by. A bunch of protestors (I think? Not in actual red shirts) were screaming at the rubberneckers and causing a bit of a panic. They were waving their arms like, get away! Well, you don't have to tell this white girl twice. I took off (through the traffic I must admit, I was just the tiniest bit panicky) and ran home the back way through tobacco monopoly.
On my way home, I passed a large police convoy with flashing lights, caught in traffic. They appeared to be headed for Asok, but traffic was terrible, so they cut through the government buildings near Queen Sirikit. I ran beside them down an alley. Some little kids were out watching on the porch and were going absolutely crackers, like they had their very own parade.
Came home through Tobacco Monopoly and checked Twitter. Sure enough, in the hour I was out, there had been ...
- Gun shots
- Fireworks (so not sure which one I actually heard)
- Explosions
- Seh Daeng (General Kittaya, Royal Army General turned Red Shirt leader) had been shot in the head
Meanwhile, TV programming went as usual, although they did break in to say that Gen. Seh Daeng was dead (which was apparently not so).
Ah, Thailand.
EDITED: Whaddayaknow, Seh Daeng was shot in a class with police about 600 m up from the port-o-potty soldiers. I've added to my map if you want to see.
First stop: overpass near Wave Place at Ploenchit BTS. It has a nice view up and down Wireless Road and also overlooks the Chidlom Barricade (which appears to have tripled in size and number of bamboo spears sticking out). Press and tourists milling around on overpass, shouting things into cell phones like, "so where are the damn tanks?" Thai TV crew had put down camera and appeared to be sleeping.
Started jogging down Wireless and i-Pod began in characteristic bastard fashion to malfunction. Shut off i-Pod and immediately heard noise that I assumed was fireworks. In back of mind, wondered if it could be gunfire, but figured if it was anything it was probably protestors shooting rockets at a helicopter. Though no helicopters around, really.
Passed barricade to Sarasin Rd, which was open. Looked like the entrance to a haunted house, all red and black with Abhisit effigy and a few buffalos made out of trash bags. And lots of signs in Thai which I of course can't read. Meh.
So here's the really freaky part ... got down to the corner of Rama IV and Silom (in front of Suan Lum Night Bazaar). There were tons of rubberneckers standing on the road island and another crowd in front of the Bazaar, including some press. As I turned down Rama IV, I ran (almost immediately) into a group of soldiers hiding behind a line of port-o-potties, gripping their guns. Then in front of them I noticed about six soldiers huddled behind a sandbag wall, aiming their guns down Silom. They looked very ... focused. Like some monster was about to come out of the dark down there. Though I would swear one of them was wearing an i-Pod.
I turned around and immediately one of the port-o-potty guys pointed the other way, as if to say, go back. Though he didn't bother a bunch of Thai teenagers that were heading off in the same direction.
As I went back through the intersection, a truck came by. A bunch of protestors (I think? Not in actual red shirts) were screaming at the rubberneckers and causing a bit of a panic. They were waving their arms like, get away! Well, you don't have to tell this white girl twice. I took off (through the traffic I must admit, I was just the tiniest bit panicky) and ran home the back way through tobacco monopoly.
On my way home, I passed a large police convoy with flashing lights, caught in traffic. They appeared to be headed for Asok, but traffic was terrible, so they cut through the government buildings near Queen Sirikit. I ran beside them down an alley. Some little kids were out watching on the porch and were going absolutely crackers, like they had their very own parade.
Came home through Tobacco Monopoly and checked Twitter. Sure enough, in the hour I was out, there had been ...
- Gun shots
- Fireworks (so not sure which one I actually heard)
- Explosions
- Seh Daeng (General Kittaya, Royal Army General turned Red Shirt leader) had been shot in the head
Meanwhile, TV programming went as usual, although they did break in to say that Gen. Seh Daeng was dead (which was apparently not so).
Ah, Thailand.
EDITED: Whaddayaknow, Seh Daeng was shot in a class with police about 600 m up from the port-o-potty soldiers. I've added to my map if you want to see.
Real Time Updating Traffic Map
Just rode home in a taxi ... it took me an hour and a half. Looks like everyone is scrambling to get away from the office. Here's a screen shot of the Bangkok traffic map right now:
This map self updates every few minutes. You can find it here.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Lights Still On
The government has called off its plan to cut off electricity and water to Ratchaprasong because they received too many complaining phone calls from citizens.
To quote @GUENTHERALEX on Twitter, "This is like watching two coma patients arm wrestle."
To quote @GUENTHERALEX on Twitter, "This is like watching two coma patients arm wrestle."
The night the lights went out in Bangkok ...
The brilliant plan to spam the Red Shirts out of Ratchaprasong with annoying text messages has failed, so tonight at midnight, the government is shutting off all lights, water and mobile signals in the Red City.
Why do I have a sinking feeling they are going to shut off MY light and water by mistake? Accuracy isn't a Thai strong point ...
BTW, protest leaders say the water doesn't matter because they can tap into the US Embassy's water system. Cheeky.
Why do I have a sinking feeling they are going to shut off MY light and water by mistake? Accuracy isn't a Thai strong point ...
BTW, protest leaders say the water doesn't matter because they can tap into the US Embassy's water system. Cheeky.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Breaking News
As I type, Jatuporn is on the Red Shirt stage giving his answer to PM Abhisit's proposed reconciliation plan. The #redshirt stream on Twitter for the past half hour keeps alternating between:
Red Shirts accept the plan! What a great day for Thailand!
AND
Red Shirts say screw the plan. What now?
I must be living here too long, because I can completely imagine a conversation (with a Thai) in which they could say exactly the same thing and mean both. And perhaps neither.
Circular elocution in high context culture. Gotta love it.
UPDATE (6:41 PM) Ugh. Now that Sean dude from Australia is onstage summarizing. Hope someone's putting it on Youtube!
UPATED (7:16 PM): Protestors agree to PM's "roadmap," but don't agree to actually do anything, such as, most importantly, leave.
Red Shirts accept the plan! What a great day for Thailand!
AND
Red Shirts say screw the plan. What now?
I must be living here too long, because I can completely imagine a conversation (with a Thai) in which they could say exactly the same thing and mean both. And perhaps neither.
Circular elocution in high context culture. Gotta love it.
UPDATE (6:41 PM) Ugh. Now that Sean dude from Australia is onstage summarizing. Hope someone's putting it on Youtube!
UPATED (7:16 PM): Protestors agree to PM's "roadmap," but don't agree to actually do anything, such as, most importantly, leave.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Australian Witness In April 10 part 1/2
This Australian "military man" has been seen so often on the Red Shirt stage lately ranting against the government that BKK Post just did a piece on him. Apparently, he's an jobless veteran who's surviving on handouts from friends. My favorite line from the BKK Post article is from an Australian embassy source: "You need to take what he says with a grain of salt. He's a big noter who gilds the lily big time."
A walking tour of red city ...
Link to a blog entry by an expat living in Ratchadamri, which is now occupied territory! Crazy that the Red Shirts now have their own canteens, clinics, etc. all established.
Will they start a school for all the little kids that are there with parents? Will they head home when Thai schools start next week? Or are these among the many kids in Thailand who are so poor they can't even get a "free" government education?
I spoke with a Thai person last week who feels the government is waiting for school to start (and hopefully some of the children and their mothers to leave) before cracking down on Ratchaprasong. We shall see ...
Will they start a school for all the little kids that are there with parents? Will they head home when Thai schools start next week? Or are these among the many kids in Thailand who are so poor they can't even get a "free" government education?
I spoke with a Thai person last week who feels the government is waiting for school to start (and hopefully some of the children and their mothers to leave) before cracking down on Ratchaprasong. We shall see ...
American takes the Red Shirt stage ...
My neighbors, bless them, just returned from the Red City where they witnessed an American on stage! (Oh, dear). The poor fellow was speaking in English -- a sure sign that he has no authority to say anything useful whatsoever about the situation. (Sorry, I'm going to be really opinionated and take the stand that if you aren't well versed in Thai, you really don't have a right to be mouthing off about this particular subject). Anyhow, his message, which was translated into Thai, was about how he wishes the UN would step in, and also about how many American weapons have been used to kill Thai people during the conflict.
The neighbors also said that there were tons of children running around the protest site, and that the mood seemed relaxed. They likened it to attending a stadium rock concert.
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