Siam State of Mind

I found this photo off the internet.  Eventhough the aftermath of arson and violence has passed for sometime and Bangkok begins to rebuild, there still is a need for us to remember.  However, we must not dwell on the uprising and the terror, but we should remind ourselves of our selflessness.  Our need to give back to our community.  Many of us grabbed our cleaning supplies to help clear our public streets.  This picture below I believe sums up the true idea that is Thai hospitality.  Being true to the words that its the thought that counts. 

The handwritten sign says:  (Free! Rice + Scrambled Egg)  I love the way that this person took the time to make food, and put it out on the street where people are cleaning the streets can just pick it up and go.  They even took the time to decorate the bag with some national pride.

Thai Generosity and Love for Bangkok

Bangkok Governor thanks everyone / by เท่ง หงส์แดง

Bangkok Begins to Heal

Days after the anti-government arsonists tried to burn down Bangkok, residents of our city came together in the thousands and began what we called, “Bangkok Clean Up Day”  Our community, with their own cleaning supplies, gloves, masks, and free will, joined together and began rebuilding what the Red shirts so desperately wanted to destroy.  Thai People helping the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority city sweepers clean the roads, remove graffiti from the walls, and clearing garbage.  We are very fortunate to have people that care enough about where they live, that they are willing to put their safety aside for the greater image of Thailand.  Those who were not able to help, generously gave free food and drinks throughout the day.

We are also fortunate to have dedicated photographers to took pictures of the events as they unfolded to help us remember what it felt like to do good.  Enjoy these heartwarming photos.  While we will always remember, we must begin to heal.

I do not take credit for any of the photos posted here.

Please click on this click to see more photos:  http://www.pantip.com/cafe/chalermthai/topic/A9287047/A9287047.html

Chidlom Intersection / by mr_spurs

Front of Central Chidlom / by mr_spurs

Langsuan Road / by mr_spurs

Handing out masks and water at Central World / by mr_spurs

Street Cleaning in front of Gaysorn / by mr_spurs

Street Cleaning at Lumpini Park / by Felice Friday

Cleaning road signs / by danielle doggi

For King and Country

I do not own this photo.  If anyone knows who took this picture, then please let me know.  I would like to give this photographer credit and put his/her name alongside their picture.

The following pictures were taken from the website:  http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/crackdown_in_bangkok.html

I do not own these pictures, nor do I take any credit for them.  I want those of you who visit my website to see with your own eyes, what the Renegade Red Shirts have done and what they are still capable of doing.  Minutes after the Red Shirt leaders announced on stage that will be surrendering to the authorities, hundreds of red shirt protestors began setting fire to places around the city, causing widespread panic and fear among Thais.  Do Not Believe all that you see on CNN.  What they are showing you is not the entire story.

Thick black smoke billows through the air near the Red Shirt encampment on Wednesday May 19, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E )

Smoke billows from fires in a commercial area of Bangkok where Red Shirt demonstrators had their camp on May 19, 2010. (MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)

A statue and a torn Thai national flag remain in front of Bangkok's Central World shopping mall, May 19, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Smoke rises from fires burning in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday May 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Following is the list of 36 places hit by arson in Bangkok as announced by Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) as of May 20^th, 2010.

1.  Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB)

2.  A commercial building in Bon Kai community

3.  Kasikorn Bank, soi Ngam Doo Plee branch

4.  Siam Paragon Shopping Complex

5.  CentralWorld Shopping Complex

6.  Maleenont Tower

7.  Government Savings Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

8.  Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Klong Toei branch

9.  Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, Klong Toei branch

10. Stock Exchange of Thailand

11. Sogo Department Store in Rajaprasong area

12. Siam and Scala Cinemas in Siam Square

13. Post Publishing PCL

14. Bangkok Bank, Asok branch

15. Bangkok Bank, Victory Monument branch

16. Bangkok Bank, Chan Road branch

17. Center One Shopping Mall

18. Siam Square

19. Siam City Bank, Siam Square branch

20. Bangkok Bank, Siam Square branch

21. shops in Siam Square soi 5 and 6

22. Mahatun Plaza Building on Ploen Chit Road

23. Bangkok Bank, Rama IV branch

24. 7-Eleven convenient store, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

25. Krungthai Bank next to Mater Dei School

26. Krungthai Bank, Asok branch

27. Bangkok Bank, Bangjak branch

28. Tesco Lotus Express convenient store, Rama IV branch

29. Bangkok Bank, Sathupradit branch

30. Bangkok Bank, Saphanluang branch

31. Siam City Bank, Sam Liam Din Daeng branch

32. Siam City Bank, Sunthornkosa branch in Klong Toei district

33. 7-Eleven convenient store near Victory Monument

34. Bangkok Bank, Hua Lam Phong branch

35. Siam Commercial Bank, Prachachuen branch

36. Big C Superstore, Rajdamri branch

Three Provincial Halls upcountry were hit by fires in Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani.

This article was taken from The Nation website at:  www.nationmultimedia.com

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration disclosed 12 major arson attacks caused by rioting protesters around the capital as of 5.00 pm on Wednesday.

1. The areas on Rama I Road around Paragon shopping mall and Siam Square. Firefighters could not gain access because of gun attacks from rioters. Siam Theatre was completely burned down.

2. Parts of Centara Grand Hotel at Rajprasong were set on fire. Firefighting was successful.

3. Fire at the Stock Exchange building on Wireless Road caused hugh damage. And the blaze rages on as rioters refused to allow access for firefighters.

4. Mahatun Building at Phloenchit was set on fire causing a total damage.

5. The blazes at the Office of Narcotics Control Board and the nearby convenient store 7Eleven in Din Daeng were put out.

6. Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank branches in Asoke were completely burned down.

7. Bangkok Bank and Government Saving Bank branches in Din Daeng were completely burned down.

8. The Maleenont Building, housing Channel 3, has been under arson attack and firefighters could not gain access.

9. Bangkok Bank branch and Tesco Lotus superstore on Rama IV Road were set on fire and firefighters could not gain access.

10. The fire at the office of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority in Klong Toei was successfully put out.

11. Firefighters managed to put out the fire at Central World shopping mall.

12. Bangkok Bank branch at Victory Monument was set on fire.

This timeline was taken from The Nation website at www.nationmultimedia.com

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Wednesday summed up the security operations leading to the surrender of the red-shirt leaders.

5.45 am the security forces start the operation to take control of Lumpini Park at Saladaeng and surrounding areas.

7.15 am the security forces assume control of Lumpini Park and advance toward the Rajprasong rally site.

Before noon, the security forces began to advance and take control of areas approaching the rally site, reaching the final red defence line.

By 1.15 pm, the security forces could take control of the entire areas surrounding the rally site. The red-shirt leaders announce their surrender.

By 2.00 pm, the security forces ceased applying pressure on the rally site. Protesters are encouraged to leave and avail themselves to free transportation services at the National Stadium to return home.

Dear All,

I do not own these photos, nor do I take credit for them.  I, however, feel the need to let others know that the ongoing violence in Bangkok is very real.  Please always keep in mind that the reports you see on CNN are very biased, and they do not paint the true picture of the situation.  The Red Shirts are armed from very simple weapons to real weapons of war.  Many are children, women, and the elderly, but the government and the Red Cross has moved many of them to safe places away from the protest sites.  The real threat are the terrorists “black shirts” that hide among the protestors concealing their weapons from the public.  Thai soldiers are not allowed to fire upon the protestors unless they feel that the threat to their life or others is real.

Please visit this site to see more photos of Bangkok and the current political violence.  www.boston.com or click on the link below.

A Red Shirt supporter rallies with a Thai national flag from a "tuk tuk" in Bangkok May 15, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Dark smoke rises above Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday, May 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) #

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/protests_turn_deadly_in_thaila.html?camp=localsearch:on:twit:bigpic

Day 4 was not as eventful as the first three days of violence. There were some tense moments, but also a lot of behind the stage negotiations. A 3pm deadline to leave the main protest site came and went, but with no follow through from the government that they would crackdown on the protestors that remained. Many were hoping that the army would move in when darkness covered the area, but instead there was a relative calm throughout the night. Gunshots and bombs still rang through the air in the center of Bangkok, but nothing like the first 3 days of violence. Below was the best recap of the day that I could find. More up to date news and forums can be found at www.thaivisa.com

Dusit Thani hotel within ‘the city of angels’ was attacked in the early morning. Shots were fired and an RPG hit the hotel.

Rumours spread among guests that there were army snipers inside the 517 room hotel.

Thai’s woke up to the daunting message, ‘Seh Daeng is Dead’. He passed away from a kidney failure this morning at 09:20

Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol died at the age of 58 after being put into hospital by an unknown sniper.

Today saw another deadline for the redshirts at Ratchaprasong. 3pm was given yesterday for everyone who wanted to be out, to get out!

That time came, and past. Many people predicting this, it was not a shock to the country. The question was, what will happen tonight

With Seh Daeng passing away, rumours were going about from his followers, that they will get revenge tonight.

MRT & BTS were all shut today, and announced that tomorrow (another public holiday) they will be shut also. ALL lines.

Thai police said at least 5000 people within the main protest site at 3pm. Warned that staying there will result in 2yr jail sentence.

The most famous part of the day was the pictures and video of the baby being put on top of a tire barricade. Shocking stuff.

Red leaders called PM’s top aide, Korbsak Sabhavasu, to offer reds to fall back as long as soldiers stop firing live rounds.

No response was given to this offer. He declined to say whether the government would agree to the Reds’ call

Considerably quiet day compared to the previous 3 days with less deaths.

Some commotion at Ramkhamhaeng University tonight, but that seemed to have fixed itself.