At it again...

I've posted several times over the last few years about the political strife that happens periodically in Thailand.

2006 - (Whilst I was living there) military coup to oust Thaksin Shinawatra (TS)

2008 - Blockade of main airport by PAD (Anti Thaksin)

2010 - Occupation of Bangkok by Red Shirts (Pro Thaksin) many killed in its defeat

2013-14 Disruption by PDRC (same as PAD) of Bangkok and boycott of Elections

Unfortunately today, it as taken a sinister turn, whilst there have been several deaths through clashes. Today there was a full on clash between the PDRC who are blocking ballot boxes at Lak Si and the UDD (Red Shirts) who want the right to vote the latest addition of the Shinawatra family in to power.

It seems to me that any organisation who doesn't want to vote is entitled to that right, however you can't stop other people from voting. The main reason why the PDRC don't wont a vote is that they represent the so called Elite of Bangkok are sick of the people they call the un educated voting for the Shinawatra clan and bringing them to power. Their attitude towards the other parts of Thailand is one of old fashioned feudalism. The Master and Serfs.....

We'll it seems that the serfs aren't to happy about the elite ruling them from Bangkok and having their vote taken away from them and are beginning to stare.

The scenes today were shocking, I know the area very well. It's very close to were my in-laws live and we hope they keep safe.

Tomorrow is Election Day, in Bangkok and a few areas in the south where the PDRC have allies are going to be flash points. The rest of Thailand will be out to vote and won't be stopped. A good analogy would be London and the south east of England thinking that are better than us (wait a minute, they do) and trying to take the bulk of investment (which they do) and then dictating whether or not we could vote. The PDRC also want an un elected house of their own to be a second chamber, (which we also have)...

Anyway, as per normal in Thailand, it is seen as a weakness to respect anyone else's opinion, this is from high government down to the normal Jo in the street and until other people views are respected or even tolerated then this cycle will continue.

A PDRC gunman opens fire at Lak Si

A PDRC guard using a paper bag to hide his M4....

A group of PDRC guards pose for a pic, and above the one in the centre firing a vintage M1A1...