I was very concerned to see a dear friend of mine post this status update on his facebook page from Bangkok yesterday,

listening to the gunfight at the Malaysia Hotel 100 meters away. One guy shot dead according to the word on the street. Explosions and gunfire outside my window all night. The war has spread to my front door. Motorcycle red shirts are amassed right outside my building, checking cars for hostile forces, controlling the supply routes. Now I understand why Iraq is the number one per capita consumer of valium.

a friend of his responds,

Take care dude. I must say I find the whole situation puzzling. The minority can’t seem to accept their guy’s not in power. I know it’s more complicated than that, but isn’t that what it comes down to?

my friend replies,

they are the majority. And it’s not about their man – (bang bang)- anymore. It is very complicated, but in essence, it is like a peasant revolt. Europe used to have these, but before automatic weapons. ( Bang bang pop)

Here are two articles that have recently helped me further my understanding of the situation.

It’s not just Red and Yellow from Newsweek

Q+A: What’s going on in Thailand’s chaotic capital? from Reuters

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this terrible situation and any info sources.

 

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