Songkran in Bangkok
It was a wet wild time. I ran around with my wet shirt tied around my head as a bandanna, with a bazooka water gun slung behind my back and a medium sized water gun held in my hands. I got slapped on with powder and zapped by random people, all in the name of fun. It was one big party on the streets and everyone was soaked with water and a joyful reverie.
The festive atmosphere was not marred by the political chaos going on, as Thailand suffered international humiliation with the cancellation of the ASEAM Summit due to red-shirt protesters swarming the beach resort where the Summit was supposed to be held. I experienced first-hand the distorting sensationalism of the international media as they hyped up the violence and protests. In actual fact, the protests were only limited to a few areas. The Thai government launched a PR campaign to reassure its citizens and foreign guests that security was being enforced with paramount importance. In a Youtube blooper of Thaksin giving a inciting speech to his followers, he made an embarrassing slip about paying the protesters 500 Baht each for taking part in the protests. It is fortunate that the police and armed forces gave their support to the government by enforcing security and dispersing the protesters. Damn the attempt at Lenin style revolution by a deposed dictator. I have to admit I am biased towards liking Ahbisit, for the fact that he studied in Harvard, and for his good looks and pleasant disposition. He faces the challenge of filling in his predecessor's shoes by managing the economy well and bridging the north-south / red-yellow divide. I pray the people will lend him their support for a prosperous and peaceful Thailand.
The festive atmosphere was not marred by the political chaos going on, as Thailand suffered international humiliation with the cancellation of the ASEAM Summit due to red-shirt protesters swarming the beach resort where the Summit was supposed to be held. I experienced first-hand the distorting sensationalism of the international media as they hyped up the violence and protests. In actual fact, the protests were only limited to a few areas. The Thai government launched a PR campaign to reassure its citizens and foreign guests that security was being enforced with paramount importance. In a Youtube blooper of Thaksin giving a inciting speech to his followers, he made an embarrassing slip about paying the protesters 500 Baht each for taking part in the protests. It is fortunate that the police and armed forces gave their support to the government by enforcing security and dispersing the protesters. Damn the attempt at Lenin style revolution by a deposed dictator. I have to admit I am biased towards liking Ahbisit, for the fact that he studied in Harvard, and for his good looks and pleasant disposition. He faces the challenge of filling in his predecessor's shoes by managing the economy well and bridging the north-south / red-yellow divide. I pray the people will lend him their support for a prosperous and peaceful Thailand.