Protests in Bangkok
Many of you may have heard about the ongoing political turmoil in Thailand. The "red shirts" (supporters of the former prime minister currently living in exile and opponents of the current government) have been in the city for several weeks. They are demanding that the parliament be dissolved and new elections held. Their most attention-getting activity was donating blood and then pouring it out on the gates of the government house and the prime minister's residence.
They have also taken over a key intersection in the heart of Bangkok's shopping district and have camped out there for nearly a week. So far the army and the police have refused to use force against them (although a few hours ago they did fire tear gas in an unsuccessful attempt to keep the protesters out of a satellite TV center).
As foreigners and relative newcomers here it is difficult to understand the root causes of this conflict - but it is a serious divide within Thai society that has some ominous implications for the future. The protests are taking a serious toll on businesses and on the stress-level of Bangkok residents who have to put up with the traffic jams and threat of violence.
Anyway, after reading about the carnival-like atmosphere of the red shirt rallies I decided to get a closer look this morning when I went into the city to meet a student. I got off the train at a nearby station and, since the situation looked pretty safe, decided to venture in. It was like a big party. They were playing music with people singing and dancing on the stage. Everyone in the entire area was shaking their foot or heart-shaped clappers in time with the music. All-in-all it was a bizarre scene. One of the busiest streets in Bangkok was empty except for the crowd around the stage in the intersection. Food vendors were doing a brisk business up and down the sidewalks and many of the tired protesters were sitting or sleeping in the shade of a huge mall (that has been closed for a week because of the protest).
The red shirts are continuing to do "roving protests" in violation of the government's emergency decrees.
It was really strange to see the streets empty except for food vendors.
These enterprising people were giving foot massages to the tired protesters.
We invite you to join us in praying for peace in Thailand. The Thai New Year's holiday is coming up next week and similar protests over this holiday last year did turn violent.
After I left the protest I went to meet my student and read in the Bangkok Post that "Foreigners are warned to stay away from the protest sites." Candice thinks that sounds like good advice, so I probably won't be doing any more first-hand reporting!
-Tom