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.

Please visit: www.welovetheking.org

Local Tourists Experiencing Thai Life

The Night Floating Market

Unlike Other Floating Markets, This One Opens at Night

2 weekends ago, we left the political turmoil in Bangkok and decided to venture down to Amphawa Floating Market just soak in the sounds of rural Thai life along the river Maeklong.  Located about 80 kilometers in Samut Songkram province, our drive was pretty easy  heading down Rama II highway just like we were going to Hua-Hin.  We had our GPS on, so we blindly followed wherever that little machine told us to go.

We arrived in Amphawa at around noon and had lunch at this little resort called Kum Saeng Thong The resort had only a few tables in their restaurant, but we heard that their food was famous.  We recommend that you order the river prawns and their tomyam soup while you are there.  See the pics attached, no joke on how large these river prawns were.

This is some serious river prawn

1. 

   The Famous Tom Yum Kung

   In the evening, we took a boat from the resort to the Amphawa Floating Market.  I have never been to a floating market before, and I first image would be the ones you see on postcards or in travel brochures to Thailand.  Of course, I did not know that this was a different floating market than the one publicized and packed with tourists in Damnoen Saduak.  This floating market opens at night from 4:00pm to 9:00pm only on Friday thru to Sunday.  I have also heard that this is where Thais go to experience their Floating Market.  Until recently, this place was not even written about in Lonely Planet.  I was amazed with what I saw.  No cheap and tacky touristy souvenirs, only authentic Thai river culture at its best.  And its at night, so the weather is cooler.  Plus, you can enjoy your stroll looking at all the individual stalls and shop houses while enjoying a beer.  It’s as local as local gets at Amphawa Floating Market.  For more info, follow this link:  http://www.amphawafloatingmarket.com/

The Artcle below was taken from www.bbc.com dated May, 8th 2010

A Thai policeman has been killed and another wounded in a drive-by shooting in the capital, Bangkok, police say.

The attack occurred in the Silom financial district, close to the area where red-shirt opposition protesters have been barricaded.

A number of blasts in the same area later wounded another four policemen.

The violence came as a two-month-long stand-off continued with protesters rejecting a government offer to dissolve parliament in September.

The offer of elections on 14 November was made earlier this week by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

However, red-shirt protesters say this is not the firm date they need before they will disband their protest camp.

Yellow-shirt leaders also dispute the government’s road-map and say the prime minister should resign if he cannot enforce the law against the red-shirts.

The government insists its November election bid is non-negotiable.

The policeman killed on Friday evening died in hospital after being shot in the stomach, spokesman Pongsapat Pongcharoen told AFP news agency.

He said one civilian was injured in the attack.

Police said the blasts later appeared to have been caused by grenades, but there is no confirmation.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban called on people to “avoid violence and help solve the problem”.

“We have to seek co-operation from everybody to return Thailand to peace,” he said.

But the red-shirts insisted they would not end the protest without that has left 28 people dead and about 1,000 injured.

“The red-shirts will stop our demonstrations when our people have a clear answer to what we demand and when our people are safe,” protest leader Jatuporn Prompan told a news conference.

UDD CHAIRMAN VEERA MUSIGAPONG

The government must set a clear date for the dissolution of Parliament. The November 14 elections, as set by Abhisit, might |not be correct because |polls come under the authority of the Election Commission.

To show its sincerity, the government must stop making threats.

Red-shirt leaders do not need an amnesty for terrorism and lese majeste charges.

The government must stop dragging the monarchy into political conflicts.

DAAD SECRETARY-GENERAL NATTHAWUT SAIKUA

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) must take over all cases involving incidents on April 10, 22 and 28.

If arrest warrants are issued for red-shirt leaders over charges of terrorism and lese majeste, the DSI should also issue warrants for those who killed protesters in the three bloody incidents, because “equality is the beginning of reconciliation”.

The government should return basic rights to the citizens such as the freedom of movement, expression and the right to know. It was unfair that the government had the armed forces and the freedom to distort information, while the red shirts had nothing.

PROTEST LEADER JATUPORN PROMPHAN

The DSI should also charge the yellow-shirt group, which had earlier closed Bangkok airports, on counts of terrorism and lese majeste.

The red-shirt protesters reserve the right to continue their rally in the heart of |the capital until Abhisit announces the date for House dissolution.

ARISMAN PONGRUANRONG

The government should reopen all red-shirt media outlets and give the movement freedom of communication

Thai PM’s Five Point Plan

1) The Monarchy must not be used as a tool in political conflicts.
2) The country must be reformed by tackling economic disparities and inequality.
3) The media must refrain from reports which exacerbate social or political conflicts.
4) An independent fact-finding panel must be appointed to review fatal incidents involving security forces and protesters.
5) The reconciliation process must be carried out with the cooperation of all sides.

Monday night, our Prime Minister outlined a plan to restore the country. The majority of the people widely accepted this proposal as the first step towards national peace and the right direction out of the political turmoil that has plagued this country for years. Of course, every step of actions will have its criticisms, but what other choices did he have?
We know for a fact that the current government does not have the full support of the police, and we also know that the army is reluctant to use force on the protestors. The only way out of this was through political means. So the cards are laid out on the table. 5 points. Move forward together or get left behind.
If all parties agree, then the next step would be to dissolve the Lower House sometime in September, and new elections on November 14th. How do you feel about this plan for peace?

WARNING! This original footage contains some disturbing scenes starting at minute 7:47 onwards. I do not own this video, and give full credit to “tbmpvideo” who was brave enough to walk the streets at the democracy monument that night. You can hear him talking throughout the clip. This video was downloaded from YouTube.

I think that it is good for the public to realize the seriousness of the situation, and that violence by any means is not the solution. Especially for the image of the country.

Words can’t express what I see in these pictures.  May Peace be here soon.

Red Shirts celebrating on top of Army Vehicles

The Day After

Army retreats leaving vehicles behind

Thai Soldiers trying to disperse the crowds with rubber bullets