Friday, September 18, 2009

Red Peace Yellow Violent


Bangkok was holding its breath today as 20000 red shirt UDD supporters marched through the Saman Luang area of Bangkok.


Despite torrential rain the Red Shirts met to remind Thailand it was three years ago this weekend the Military ousted their popular figure head Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup. The protest went off un scathed and the red shirts earned alot of respect from the powers that be.

On the other hand the Yellow shirted PAD protesters have been stirring up a massive stink at the disputed Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian border. Thailand is pissed that Cambodia stole a march on them and got the UN to say the temple is in Cambodia. The Thai's do have a point, as far as I can tell the temple is in Thailand, but the grounds are in Cambodia.
Anyway, this year there have been clashes between the two armies resulting in several deaths. Now PAD want to claim the temple back by force, unfortunately a load of riot police and local villagers didn't agree with them. The yellow shirted band of thugs or guards as they are known forced their way into the area, shooting a couple of the villagers and generally throwing their weight around.

From the beginning of the unrest in Thailand, PAD have bullied and arrayed their way to their own means, hopefully normal Thai people will see them for what they are.

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