Thanks for the update. I have been enjoying Douglas's blog, but of course was also following the news.  Was a very sad event for Thailand. I hope that things can be worked out so that this is not soon repeated by any of the various sides. --Dave, Portland, Oregon, 25 May

Terrific writing and spot on interpretation of what is really going on. The media have been there usual sensationalist selves and it is a shame so many people around the world will now see Thailand as possibly dangerous.  I for one know it is not and will be back in mid June for my twice annual trip to BKK, CNX and Isan.....my continued contact with friends and loved ones in those areas have indicated to me that support for the red shirts is not nearly as universal as watchers of the news might think.  Thank you for this blog...it made me feel as though I was there.....I look forward to returning to the land I love soon....Chok dii na krub Douglas and Mahalo! --Neil, Honolulu, 24 May

I can sense the anguish and bewilderment in Voranai's piece in the Bangkok Post. And yours too, Douglas, as you have expressed it in your blog.

My fear is this: that Thailand has had brutal fanatical terrorism in the South. has it been quelled completely? Now, you have (perhaps) simmering resentment in the North and East. Then you had the erstwhile Bangkok-based yellow shirts who were advocating a kind off dubious meritocracy at some stage. All the signs of discontent ahead.

On Abhisit's election, the reaction of a few of my Thai friends was that he 'was cute'. I wondered at that stage whether his western education and outlook would inhibit his reaching out to Thailand's rural masses. I wonder if that is still true.

However, I am impressed with his patient (maybe too-patient) attempts at negotiation, his reaching out first with the promise of elections, and the subsequent May 19th clearance. It was very clear that the soldiers were under very clear orders NOT to shoot unless seriously provoked, and an army that sometimes has the reputation of being trigger-happy obeyed.

This gives me hope. I think the the govt's hand is indeed seeking reconciliation, and whilst some elements destroyed Central World, one hopes the bulk of the protestors and their supporters in upcountry Thailand would reach out and take this hand and work their way to a prosperous future. --Ravi, Sydney, 24 May

There has indeed been brutal and fanatical terrorism in the Southern provinces of Thailand. It has not been "quelled" since the approach of previous governments has been to suppress it brutally rather than to listen to the needs and complaints of Thai citizens who have been systematically marginalized. The Royal Family has set a good example by actually spending time in the South to remind us all that Moslems can also be Thai.

As for Ahbisit's looks, he is indeed considered attractive. The photo in his campaign poster made him look very young. He had obviously used face powder and lip coloring, which is common among meterosexual Thais. Many voted for him because he was pretty, just as others voted for Thaksin because he was rich. Go figure.

Thanks for keeping the world informed.... Your reports and pictures are stunning! It is so sad....thousands of people injured...and thousands more now without a place to work. Tourism will be damaged for years...airlines, taxis, hotels, retailers, and restaurants....all damaged by economic terrorists. How crazy mad is the person that could order the detruction of property and arson? Why would people shoot rocket launchers at BTS stations? Why would the Red Shirt leaders stock pile weapons for a "peaceful" demonstration? How can the lust for power and money make men so evil? I noticed some of your pictures are from the outskirts of the protest area....Was the Platinum Mall damaged? --Bob, Miami 23 May

Like so many things in this world, what has happened in Bangkok defies common sense. It is especially unfortunate that so many people have been used by so few. The Grand Manipulator wanted to recover his billions, redeem his name, and make his ego whole again. As for the leaders, many were steeped in sixties communist dogma that they have been saving for a rainy day. (Red shirts and flags were no accident.) Most of the protestors were simple uneducated people who truly have been left behind by the growing middle class in Thailand. Absent Thaksin and his anarchist stooges, I would undoubtedly have been on their side, as would many others.

Despite the subject line of the email you were sent, the Red Shirt movement is not over at all. It may be only the beginning. Isolating protestors within a few barricaded streets was like "shooting fish in a barrel." Most of what the Reds do in the future will be underground and far more difficult to confront, not that the government here was very confrontational.

I have learned over fifteen years here that foreigners should never have many expectations from Thai society. Nevertheless, I have high hopes that the government will address the future squarely and confidently, and do what voters in a democracy expect from them. Ahbisit has not been a particularly dynamic leader although he has been sabotaged by idiots and watermelons within his own circle. I hope he sees that clearly now and do his best to be the leader Thai people want and deserve. Ahbisit needs to repair some of the great divisions in society and prosecute those who have been arrested without hesitation or forgiveness.

This afternoon I intend to write Ahbisit a letter to recognize the enormous difficulties and obstacles he has survived over the last weeks. I will encourage him to do several simple things begin to make things right for the farmers who came here to bring about change. His government has "fined" former PM Thaksin almost two billion dollars from his frozen assets. I would like to see Ahbisit's government spend every single baht of that in Northeastern provinces to improve infrastructure and education, and to implement price supports for agricultural commodities when they are needed. Thaksin always promised to do more for these people than give them a bag of rice and a few Viagra for their votes. Using Thaksin's money to make simple gestures of kindness would leave him little to complain about. The Red Shirts brought tens of thousands of old tires here for barricades. Ahbisit would be a hero to recycle all of those tires to pave dirt roads in the countryside.

Platinum Mall is practically across the street from where I live. You can see it in a few of the first street photos in the album on this website. I cannot imagine how the last few weeks have been for the residents of the condos above the mall. I am sure the noise was far worse for them than it was for me. Fortunately, Platinum Mall was not damaged at all. I will wander over there this afternoon hoping that Swenson's Ice Cream has reopened.  -- Douglas, 23 May

I have read with distress the accounts of the Red Shirt destruction in your wonderful city. I was fortunate to be there in March when they were peacefully demonstrating.  Since then it has gotten ugly. I am very happy to hear there is a truce of sorts and I hope that travelers will not cancel plans to visit you. I had a great experience there and please say hello to Charlie, our guide. We enjoyed his company much. Thanks for the update. --Dennis 22 May

thank goddess for that. i have been worried about you, and your friends. I'd come now, but you know how i am with the heat of summer. --Mark, 22 May

Thank you Douglas for this fascinating and enlightening inside narration and ineresting political perspective. As always, reading you is a treat. -- Pierre T., Luang Prabang, 22 May

That was a good and brave job. I really enjoyed reading your points of view and that of someone who was right in the very heart of it all. This is some strange place, these days!! -- Skip, Thailand, 22 May

It has been a long time however I have immensely ejoyed reading you excellent blog. It cannot have been easy for you being so close to the action. I was in phuket last week and nobody would have noticed anything wrong, although one or two locals I did mention the BKK probs did not seem to be so concerned. Keep on Doug - Great reading and thanks to the charming Miss Fu. -- Tony D., Singapore, 20 May

Hard to imagine the Peaceful Kingdom I have known and enjoyed being brought to a standstill by this violent demagoguery. People are so easily led around by the nose - I've never understood that, but we have our own (so far non-violent) parallels in the US with the Tea Party. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for all the info on the situation there and I hope you and your staff and my friends at the Tarntawan stay safe and sound. I'll be back! Tim G., 20 May

Your blog is the best thing I have read about this disgusting episode. It doesn't hurt that I agree with your political attitude. Your 16 May posting about Jim Jones absolutely fascinating. I have forwarded it to several people. Oh, these poor deluded people! I, too, admire Voranai and have had many back and forths with him over the last two years.

What do you think about Veera? Of all the Red Shirt leaders, he alone seems reasonable. --Kenneth, Boston

I do not think there is any gray area for UDD leaders. Veera could have quit. All of them, including Veera, are apparently disclaiming any responsibility for what their people did. To an extent, their lack of control was probably true. If so, all of them had options to end it before two days ago. They could have accepted the Road Map and gone home as heroes. However, they got greedy and started adding more and more baggage onto the agreement. They literally snatched failure from the jaws of success. Honestly, I do not feel a bit sorry for anything that lies ahead for them. They have committed treason and sedition. It may even be proven that they participated in the alleged plot to topple the monarchy. It may be true that (former Prime Minister) Chavalit was involved or he would have run. -- Douglas

Great job reporting. Made me feel like I was there. --Zach, New York, NY

Good to hear you are doing ok amidst the unrest. i found your blog to be incisive and second your hopes people won't fall out of love withThailand. --Jeff W., San Francisco

Good article except you have not reported the facts precisely ... you say "he (Abhisit) was legally chosen in an election." In fact, Thaksin's elected allies were ejected in a controversial court ruling, paving the way for Abhisit's administration to be appointed in a 2008 army-backed parliamentary vote. Legal? Who knows what's legal in Thailand.The rules change to suit whatever corruption ridden Government is in power at the time.

It's certainly not over.

Some 300 angry and emotional Reds who had taken part in the protests were welcomed home as heroes in Chiang Mai on Friday, greeted by a cheering and flag-waving crowd at the railway station.

'I am waiting for instructions from my leaders. I am not giving up. For now I will go home and back to my paddy field. With every one Red Shirt killed we believe a million supporters will emerge,' said 38-year-old Nut Jangakat.' -- Alan, Sydney NSW

You are almost right. Following the coup the People Power Party (remnants of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai, which was forced to dissolve by the Supreme Court for illegal activities) won the election. The Election Commission and the courts dissolved People Power for illegal donations, vote-buying, and other shenanigans. Its leaders were banned from holding office for five years. That's the way the law works here. The remaining parliament followed constitutional rules and elected the current government. That's the way the constitution works here. Ahbisit's own party has been charged with breaking an election may be forced down the same road. If they are found to have broken the law they will be dissolved and their leaders will be banned from politics. I do not think Democrats planned this.

It is certain that the Red Shirts, or whatever they call themselves next, will continue their fight. It's hard to say how successful they will be with their former communist leaders in prison and the financial pipeline from Thaksin slowed if not closed. Had it not been for Thaksin using these people I might have been on their side. The Ahbisit government has pledged to stay the course with its national reconciliation plan, which includes dealing with some of the social problems of the Northeast. Thaksin never attempted to do that. He just made promises and bought votes. Aside from cash, the bribe of choice in Isan was Viagra during the last election. -- douglas

I come from Paris fucking France: from what fucking country are you? This said, I agree with your fucking assessment of CNN and of that fucking Vuitton toting, undrinkable wine sipping policeman. For the rest, time will tell.... --Jean-Francois, Bangkok

Ok I have been following the situation with interest since Thailand is my second home.Not sure it is over though.Very sad for Thailand,but I hope I will still keep my plans to come there in August. --David, Australia

Great work, Douglas! This truely is a story from the insider. I thought I was the only person annoyed by the bias reports by Dan Rivers and whatever that lady name is. The world need to read from your blog to understand what's really going on in Bangkok. Hope you are safe and well. --Paul, Los Angeles

Very balanced presentation. in my experience over the past 20 years, nothing in Thailand is ever simple.
--Mary, Chicago

Thank you for providing the up-to-the-hour updates on the situation in Bangkok. I am glad to see that the chaos and destruction of the city, not to mention of the many local people's lives and livelihood,  appear to have come to an end. I have been reading about the situation on MSNBC as well as watching the update on CNN. I am sure the news from those sources did not give me the up close and personal perspectives you provided.
--Herman, New York

It is all such a waste. BBC isn't much better than CNN. Their anchor just asked the Finance Minister if he had any evidence of Thaksin's phone ins to the protesters!

Who do these people think they will win over by all this destruction of property? Why are they burning down their own town halls out in the provinces?

Will we see another guerrilla war like the one in the South overtake the rest of the country? -- Glenn, Washington, DC

Fascinating stuff. Reminds me in many ways of Mexico City and the Zocalo/Paseo Reforma occupation after the last Mexican Presidential election.  I witnessed some of that, and it too had elements of street theatre and festival, mixed in with protests, rallies, and blockades.  And the rich there were also highly annoyed they couldn't drive their BMW's downtown. I have no way to judge your arguments about the corrupt motivations of various factional leaders, but I think anger and outrage over poverty and hunger is justified, and it's a shame when a just cause get hijacked by corrupt forces.  Keep up the good reporting.  We'll keep checking it out.  Look for Richard and me to show up again next January. --Fritz, San Francisco, 09 May

Yes, a great article which gives much to think about---- agree its all so sad and its in a country that I love a great deal.  I have visited every year for over ten years and have never grown tired of Thailand; I have seen a lot of the country, travelled widely, and there is still so much to see from the chaos of Bangkok streets and traffic to the serenity of the temples and the countryside. True, there are annoyances , scams and tourist traps around, but in the main I have experienced wonderful welcoming warmth, never felt threatened, experienced service in modest hotels/ restaurants  that far exceeds some service in our so called four star hotels Add to that considerable happiness in many mundane jobs... truly the land of smiles ...... wonderful people with an amazing culture.  Years ago, I was due to stay in Bali just after the bomb... I chickened out, and have always regretted it.  THAILAND.....I WILL be back again this year in November!!  Hopefully your culture will overcome all this. --Hugh, Scotland, 27 April

 The blog is excellent -- it's all so very sad and infuriating.  -- Guy, Chiang Mai, 13 April

 Great article and gives a perspective to the world outside...  --Sujit, India, 12 April

Saturday was a black day for Thailand indeed!  Having recently been in Bangkok, and witnessed the red shirts roaming through the streets in a relatively peaceful way, I was saddened to see this violent turn of events.

The fact that a basically peaceful, and always gracious culture could be turned to these actions only further condems the instigators as evil, self-serving villians.  What could possibly be lower than to take advantage of the poor and uneducated to further one's own selfish goals?  Think of the good that Thaksin's billions could do to improve these people's life circumstances instead of inciting them to a pointless and deadly riot.

I still look forward to my next visit to Thailand, and would encourage anyone planning to go that despite this unrest, they will find a warm and gracious people, genuinely interested in welcoming visitors and sharing their amazing culture.  I hope that these wonderful cultural qualities will quickly overcome this coerced violence!
--Jeff, San Francisco, 12 April

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