we were able to raised $1,000 for Haiti Earthquake Victims today. About 20 people came to have lunch with us. All will be donated to the American Red Cross's International Response Fund for earthquake in Haiti. Checks will be sent as-is and the cash will be converted to Cashier Check or Money Order. We will use the name of 'Thai in Illinois and Midwest' and plan to send all in this Monday or Tuesday. Special thanks to P'Veera and staff of Dhamma Garden Restaurant who donated the food and allow us to use their facilities. Also special thanks to all the redshirts who did not come but sent in their donations anyway.
I'm also happy to report that Thai Association, Thai Nurses Association and Wat Dhammaram plan to have a fund raising for Haiti soon. I don't have the details, and will share as soon as I got it.
(New York) - The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva largely failed to fulfill its pledges to make human rights a priority, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2010.
The 612-page report, the organization's 20th annual review of human rights practices around the globe, summarizes major human rights trends in more than 90 nations and territories worldwide. In Thailand, there were growing crackdowns on protesters and other critics, including intensive surveillance of the internet, a failure to curb abuses by security forces in responding to the longtime insurgency in the south, and serious breaches of the country's obligations to protect refugees and asylum seekers.
"While Prime Minister Abhisit sometimes said the right things about human rights in 2009, his actions didn't match his words," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The government continually undermined respect for human rights and due process of law in Thailand."
Mounting challenges from the red-shirted opposition group, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), has made Prime Minister Abhisit increasingly dependent on support from the military for his political survival, Human Rights Watch said. In response to the UDD's violent protests in Pattaya and Bangkok, the government declared a state of emergency on April 11 and 12. Soldiers used tear gas to clear protesters and fired on protesters with live ammunition. At least 123 people were injured and two killed in Bangkok on April 13 in clashes between armed UDD protesters, soldiers, and various neighborhood watch groups.
The government's double standards in law enforcement worsened political tensions and deepened polarization. Leaders and members of the UDD were arrested, detained, and criminally charged after the dispersal of their protests. But the government has ignored public demands for an impartial investigation into politically motivated violence and human rights abuses committed by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) during its protests and occupation of the Government House and Suvarnabhumi airport in 2008, which created conditions that enabled Abhisit to come to power. Long delays in prosecuting PAD leaders are fuelling a growing public perception that they are immune to legal accountability.
In Thailand's deep south, where a separatist insurgency began in 2004, Abhisit's administration has allowed the military to continue to operate with impunity. No member of the security forces has been criminally prosecuted for human rights abuses in the provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala, even in high profile cases such as the Krue Se mosque killings, the Tak Bai crackdown, the torture and killing of Imam Yapa Kaseng, and the Al-Farquan mosque massacre.
The government also failed to establish effective civilian control over the military and was unable to scrutinize the enforcement of abusive special security laws by the military. Separatist insurgents in the loose network of Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Koordinas (National Revolution Front-Coordinate or BRN-Coordinate) used these state-sponsored abuses and heavy-handed tactics to recruit new members and justify their campaign of violence and terror, which has claimed more than 3,900 lives since January 2004.
The failure to act against official abuses extended to the police. Despite the government's strong opposition to the violent approach to drug suppression by the exiled former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, it remained unwilling to bring to justice officials allegedly responsible for more than 2,500 unresolved extrajudicial killings and serious abuses committed during Thaksin's 2003 "war on drugs" and ongoing drug suppression operations by the police.
The government stood by while top police commanders refused to accept the ruling of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) that seven high-ranking police officers should be charged with criminal offenses and subject to disciplinary action in connection with the crackdown on the PAD on October 7, 2008, when police violently dispersed some 2,000 protesters in front of parliament. Two PAD protesters died and 443 were injured. At the local level, the government continued to ignore systemic police violence and extortion targeting the over two million migrant workers from Burma, Cambodia, and Laos.
"Democracy in Thailand suffers badly from draconian laws on lese majeste and cyber crimes," said Adams. "A climate of fear looms over civil discourse and in cyberspace as a result of increasing restrictions on freedom of expression under the Abhisit government."
The government also has used both the lese majeste statute in the Criminal Code and the new Computer Crimes Act to suppress critics of the monarchy and persecute perceived government enemies. In January, Suwicha Thakor, an outdoor sporting enthusiast, was arrested, accused of posting comments constituting lese majeste on the Internet, and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
In August, Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul (also known as Da Torpedo) was sentenced to 18 years in prison for insulting the monarchy in her speeches at a UDD rally. She is allegedly being held in solitary confinement in Lard Yao prison and was denied access to medical treatment for a severely infected jaw. A number of government critics have fled Thailand rather than face similar charges.
Thai authorities also increased Internet surveillance, leading to the arrests of bloggers and web board participants. Several people were arrested for translating foreign media reports about King Bhumibol Adulyadej's poor health and posting those reports along with their comments online. Authorities closed down more than 18,000 websites that they alleged promoted anti-monarchy sentiments or posed threats to national security.
Abhisit's government blatantly breached Thailand's obligations under international law to protect refugees and asylum seekers, Human Rights Watch said.
The Thai government gave the green light to the army to deport more than 4,600 Lao Hmong refugees and asylum seekers on December 28, despite a chorus of international outcry that included the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Secretary-General. Human Rights Watch seriously questions the claims made by high-level Thai officials, including Prime Minister Abhisit and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, that the deportation was "voluntary."
Throughout the year, Thai soldiers severely restricted access to food and medical services provided by humanitarian organizations, prompting Medicins Sans Frontieres to pull out of Huay Nam Khao camp in May. Just prior to the mass forced return, more than 5,000 soldiers and other security personnel surrounded the camp, jammed mobile phone signals in the area, prevented access by the media, and singled out and snatched up camp leaders to defuse anticipated resistance. Such coercive and intimidating measures are clearly contrary to claims of "voluntary repatriation," Human Rights Watch said.
In another expression of hostile policy toward refugees and asylum seekers, in January, in his capacity as chair of the National Security Council, Abhisit approved a directive authorizing the military to intercept boats carrying ethnic Rohingya from Burma and Bangladesh. The military subsequently captured several boats crowded with Rohingya and towed the rickety vessels back into the open ocean with inadequate supplies of food and water. While Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, the Thai government has an obligation under international law of nonrefoulement (non-return) of persons to places where their life or freedom is at risk.
"Prime Minister Abhisit did not honor his pledge to uphold human rights principles and international law in 2009," Adams said. "Getting Thailand back on track as a rights-respecting nation in 2010 is crucial both for the country and the region."
As if no year has passed our dear prime minister took the stage at this year's annual address to the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand FCCT. The road ahead continues to be tough, Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said in the Intercontinental's Grand Ballroom. But – speaking of himself – "last year's determination and promises continue to be in place," thereby laying the foundation for economical, social and political progress.
Well, leaving much of this government leader's obligatory and not undeserved self-promotion and -praise aside, there were many laughs and even applause in the audience. Wit is clearly a strength of the charmer. Listening to Abhisit makes me feel good living in this beautiful, well organized place. But reality kicks in quickly when being reminded by Khun Mark's enchanting Oxford accent that this very grandness sounds as artificial in Thailand as his promises of the rule of law.
"What might be called reconciliation" the premier mentioned twice. He's not gonna sacrifice the rule of law just to please his opponents. Fair enough. And he offers early elections, but the three conditions he's laying down for a general election are bubble gum conditions. He demands 1) a stable economy, 2) all parties must adhere to the rules of an election and exclude fraud, and 3) all sides must prove that they're "committed to the spirit of true democracy." Textbook honesty from all sides.
Abhisit's more confident, more comfortable than a year ago. But not sure if we heard a leader at the FCCT event. What we heard was a well versed orator insisting again and again that he's on the side of the people, nation, law and the courts. He's confident that his Democrats will do better in elections than last time, but there's a possibility of a hung parliament again, Abhisit says. Whatever side wins, he will accept the results.
Still, he "can't say he's satisfied with everything his government has done. But politics shall not get in the way of us working for the people" … Well isn't governing all about politics, by definition a process by which groups of people make decisions?
And leave the king alone, Abhisit was basically saying. Don't rely on HM to intervene in times of difficulty. Well, who again politicized the crown?
And his government will press ahead with the construction of roads, rail and 3G networks … roads maybe.
Still, he knows his trade. Confronted in the Q&A with the absurdity of Thailand's prohibitive, if not ridiculous alcohol laws he said in disarming clarity state authorities have to uphold the law. Wether to change the law is a different issue.
And he won't rule out violence leading up to the Thaksin asset seizure verdict. "We do anticipate" violence. Sounded like an acknowledgement Thaksin's already found guilty.
Ah, and the lèse majesté cases. There's "progress and change," assures Abhisit. The law may have been too liberally interpreted and abused. But none of last year's cases was yet forwarded to a court. And some argue that the law's still interpreted far too relaxed. His government is waiting for clear guidance to be issued soon. A lot of cases will soon be cleared, we're told.
A year into his office still of the same candor, patience and tolerance as when opposition leader … Chapeau premier, nice presentation. Wish you well and luck.
But something, dear Mr. Prime Minister, something just does not sound right. Some things don't add up. You're a Thai anomaly.
Don't forget, if you'd truly respect the ideals of democracy and the rule of law you're always preaching, if you'd truly respect those you wouldn't be in power.
15 Responses to "Now More Than Ever? Abhisit's FCCT Address"
Jaded on January 14th, 2010 11.48 pm
Lets see. To sum up your report the man is a charmer … If you are not nice to this guy who is nice to you what are the likely consequences? I wonder.
I have been reading Robert Harris novels recently and I have to say that Abhisit reminds me a bit of young Caesar as described by Harris … Like the old Roman Republic, Thailand's democracy has faced a number of severe crises over the last few years. At the moment it continues to struggle on, despite the handicap of a constitution that was imposed by a coup d'état and an overbearing presence in the background that threatens to seize power if the interests of the plutocratic elite and its military enforcers are not fully protected … If, god forbid, there was to be a power vacuum in Thailand who would the people respect more? The old style dicatorship backed up by force or … some new paradigm perhaps? Reading Harris may excellent prep for understanding the fragility of the current regime and the likely options in the event of its replacement …
At one point, a long time back now, I thought Abhisit may be the answer for Thailand.
But the more I hear him the more I understand that he talks the talk but his actions have no substance. "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull." W. C. Fields
When you combine Abhisit with his trusty sidekick Suthep it's the Thai version of Abbott and Costello who's on first.
A Reader on January 15th, 2010 6.58 am
He wasn't a tad embarrassed that the FCCT itself is still being charged with lèse majesté.
Or the poor woman in prison with the dental abcess is being denied medical treatment in order to increase her suffering and remorse.
Or that the justice system is so riddled with double standards and corruption that it has lost any credibility it may or may not have actually had with the majority of Thai people and all knowledgeable farangs (aside from StanG of course whose infinite faith in the goodness of the status quo is truly inspiring!),
Or that Surayad's real estate deal leniancy depends on "lack of intent to break the law" while Thaksin's wife's real estate deal actually did not break any laws until one was written up after the fact, etc. etc. etc. …
It sounds like FCCT was running a hi-end Japanese hostess bar where everything was silky and wonderful until the Japanese guys ran out of money …
BangkokDan on January 15th, 2010 8.10 am
Fact is, I fear, the recent hardline interpretation of lèse majesté laws is in complete, consistent and logical accordance to the state of reactionary shifts and tendencies – be they forced upon – within Thai society. The laws, in current Thailand, and the implementation thereof make complete sense.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jon Russell and BangkokDan, tri kanchanadul. tri kanchanadul said: RT @BangkokDan: (BLOG) Now More Than Ever: Abhisit's FCCT Address http://bit.ly/7cS8LQ [...]
Jaded on January 15th, 2010 5.04 pm
Perhaps whoopla's comment could be echoed here?
I mean isn't a prostitute someone who tells you what they think you want to hear, pretends to care about what you think and disimulates to convince you of their sincerity while all the time serving the interests of their abusive partner/mafia pimp/exploitative family/social network etc., etc., …
Perhaps those who attended the event last night were there for a drink, something to eat and a little entertainment. I hope it's not the case that the FCCT membership loves the company of Thailand's political whores but personally I don't think my stomach is strong enough for these people.
BangkokDan on January 15th, 2010 5.55 pm
You have every right to detest and despise your enemy Jaded.
Try to embrace him. Or her.
Read his/her mind, intentions, motivations.
Infiltrate.
Everyone I know of who meets Abhisit likes the man. And I must say I recently met our now internationally decorated finance minister.
Korn's a highly impressive man, and not just by his appearance. This man's tall!
You can argue about the content or value of such – as you put it – political whores.
Those are no stupid people. Many may be. Not all of them. Especially not Abhisit.
Well I hadn't actually considered stupidity as sufficient to explain his role as an apologist for official Thailand. Cupidity, mendacity, veniality … These would be the sort of terms that spring to mind when I watch him glossing yet another gross violation of human rights. The argument goes that the behavior of these unaccountable people would be much worse without his government. I strongly disagree. The ineptitude and incompetence of the military appointed post coup government shows clearly that managing modern Thailand is beyond the competence of the authoritarians. Just as before they turned to Anand for technical competence while engaging in outrageous behavior, now Abhisit and his sidekick Korn have become their enablers. If Abhisit has no control over the propensities of powerful but unaccountable figures who claim to operate on behalf of the state then he's no business claiming he's in charge.
Rich on January 15th, 2010 9.03 pm
Those are no stupid people. Many may be. Not all of them. Especially not Abhisit.
Hmmm. Possibly.
Mendacious, dishonorable. deceitful. But probably not stupid.
On the other hand, how smart are they to tell lies that are so easy to identify as lies?
Not stupid perhaps, but imho not especially smart either.
-Elections? "When economy better" etc. …. Let's add: "when it will rain pigs," "when I'll wear pink underwear," "when my cleaning lady will have a sex change operation."
I mean: what the hell?
It's so easy to say "sure, I want to organize new elections, but you know there are some small conditions before to do it …"
It looks better but that's all. The bottom line is: Abhisit doesn't want to hold elections, because he'll lose. Like he lost before.
-Lèse majesté: "Progress and change. We will review … blablaba." No, it didn't change. Many people in the last year with Abhisit as PM were arrested and sent to jail for lèse majeste."
-King alone? Well, Abhisit should explain to us why the king is in hospital since four freaking months. Of course, not a word.
-Construction of rails: Bullshit. No progress on the "mega projects" front.
-3G: Come on … we all know that it's bullshit again. Even Laos has 3G. It's a Thai national shame, in order to protect private interests.
Voilà.
To summarize: emptyness, same speeches, same keywords repeated ad nauseam ("rule of law," "reconciliation," "democracy," etc.).
The same stupid smile. The same inane "candor."
I mean who gives a fuck about charm and candor?
Tell me?
Abhisit is a fraud. A fraud. With a nice suit, and a nice hair cut.
A fraud, since day one, December 2008. Since he was "nominated" PM, thanks to a bozo coup, a cheap parliamentary manoeuvre (bribing Thaksin's friend, to make them change allegiance) and the support of the military of course who use Abhisit as their front man, their front puppet.
I can't understand how intelligent people can be so fooled. It's astonishing.
Come on Dan, wake up!
(I don't say that Abhisit is worst than previous PM, certainly not … just that, like Obama overseas, Abhisit is nothing but a fraud, a marketing product.)
Jaded on January 16th, 2010 6.49 am
Sorry for the typos in the earlier post. I was writing on an i phone in Dubliners Pub on a Friday night … I think I should have typed "and" instead of an "an" on line 7 and it should be "Just as before they turned to Anand …" on line 10. (BD: Corrected, no worries.) Despite my sloppy grammar and incompetent typing I hope people can see the point of my argument. The outrageous atrocities of 1992 took place under Anand's government. Some people are ready to suggest that Abhisit is Anand Mark 2. Why does Anand retain a reputation as a clean pair of hands in Thai politics? I know you are aware of Anand's reactionary views as your carefully selected quote from the recent article in the financial times gives some indication of his true ideas about social justice. And just as Anand enabled then, Abhisit's government is now enabling the same sort of … people … I sincerely hope that history will not repeat itself in the form of another massacre of Thai protesters. There are obviously risks to the UDD but they seem to have realized that this is a serious threat and modified their plans accordingly. If they do succeed in mobilizing a mass demonstration in Bangkok then another 1992 seems a possibility but I think at this point the focus for violence is elsewhere. At the moment the propaganda of scapegoating seems to be focused on un-Thai ethnic and national groups. If, after the mass murder of Rohingya, and the recent the Nazi style clearance and deportation of population of the Hmong camp, you still have any doubt that things are going to get worse then I would direct your attention to the preparations currently in train to deal with Thailand's large Burmese population. Abhisit, Korn and their less attractive cronies in government are presiding over the sort of thing that Nazi Germany is normally associated with. They are enablers. If you don't find Abhisit's posturing outrageous refresh your memory and check out Abhisit's statements on the Rohingya and the Hmong on YouTube. As he calmly fields questions with his well spoken "Oxbridge" accent you can look at a man who seems completely at ease with outrageous violations of basic human rights.
Oh, but he has to say that you say … If he wants to stay in power then he cannot afford to challenge the people who put him in power … That's the point many like to make … He wasn't elected and the only way that the man and his party could get power was through the support of those forces of reaction who have an interest in promoting what are essentially authoritarian ideas and reactionary policies … And now his supporters believe that he is capable of somehow holding these authoritarian forces back from perpetrating new outrages and perhaps, through his oxford accented delicate mediation, he might even succeed in healing national rifts … Well on the evidence of the last year I would say that he is enabling attrocious behaviour and has "absolutely" no power to do anything but act as a public relations spokesman for authoritarianism. Watch the youtube videos and see if you agree with my view that he doesn't seem to have any difficulty playing the role of being the acceptable face of evil …
Like Abhisit I also qualify for membership of that Oxbridge Club on the Mall in London. That much vaunted PPE course has produced some plausible, smarmy, highly polished bastards who have caused a lot of damage to the world. I would urge people to try and forget about the guy's charm and look simply at what he attempts to rationalize and justify. If you want a reminder then the latest article of Harrison George on Prachatai is a pretty good summary of some of the more ridiculous Abhisit statements. The response of the admittedly cynical international community to the recent Hmong deportation suggests that perhaps not everyone is quite as charmed as yourself. The American ambassador took the extraordinary step of publishing his carefully worded diplomatic disgust in the Bangkok post this week. Do you think he is charmed by the PM?
Infiltrate? Infiltrate what? The Democrat Party and its leadership are facilitating the breakdown of respect for law and democracy. Those with time left over from skimming various lucrative government expenditures are suavely sauntering into rooms with the smugness of unelectable but empowered representatives of unaccountable authority. Abhisit and his crew are the problem because, with their co-opted allies they have succeeded in completely frustrating the popular will and have installed themselves in a coalition government which is entirely dependent on corrupt dealings for its continued existence. Abhisit sits at the top of this structure of usurped and utterly corrupt power.
There is nothing to like about Abhisit … And yes I have been in the same room with him. If you think there is something redeemable in his actions then you've been conned.
BangkokDan on January 16th, 2010 9.14 am
My bad. Well my last comment was bait. Who cares how tall Korn is.
Still, it's difficult to confront the man. In the Q&A Shawn Crispin, Nirmal Ghosh, our dear Russian correspondent friend and others aimed directly at Abhisit.
As once said in an earlier post, a "Teflon premier."
His appearance is so polished, nothing seems to stick to the man.
Interesting how he now blames Western nations for the Hmong misery:
To my knowledge Western nations tried to issue visas for resettlement, but Thailand had sealed off the refugees from the outside world since quite some time.
Abhisit has learned well from his Western counterparts, IMO.
Thai Crisis (& Jaded): Can you enlighten me by pointing me to any leader that isn't a fraud?
Anonymous on January 16th, 2010 10.15 am
Why is everyone suckered by this guy?
He's "nice"?
So what?
He needs to be judged on his political actions not how he is at dinner.
And his political actions are that he rode to power off the back of the actions of a criminal fascist mob.
That he has never had – and never will have – anything approaching a democratic mandate.
That his government is locking people up via secret trials for giving political speeches.
That his government has re-instated executions after a long hiatus.
That his government is aligned with some of the most corrupt politicians in the country (Newin etc.).
That he invokes draconian and incredibly repressive laws at the drop of a hat.
That he has kept Kasit as FM.
That he has presided over a diplomatic debacle re: Cambodia.
Why isn't he called out on the really difficult stuff by the great and good at the FCCT?
Most FCCT journos (same as Amnesty International reps) are terrified of losing their visas and cushy lifestyles.
Stopout Teddy on January 18th, 2010 1.55 pm
Jaded – I agree with your post made on January 15th, 2010 6.38 pm and also the other one on January 16th, 2010 6.49 am but did you get any sleep in between?
January 13th, 2010 by Nick Nostitz, Guest Contributor · 2 Comments
The Red Shirts have lately turned quite inventive, and their latest stunt at Khao Yai Thieng forest reserve was maybe their most outrageous protest so far, exposing a soft spot that may have nationwide effects, and the potential to embarrass many rich and powerful people. Several thousand of them have gathered in front of the holiday home of Privy Council member, ex-Prime Minister, ex-Army Chief, General Surayud Chulanont. Red Shirt leader Dr. Weng Tojirakan said when I interviewed him: "This is the most important forest reserve for water supply around Khorat. But Surayud has built his house here against the law, and nobody does anything. This shows the double standards – normal people go to jail for the same thing. The legal structure in Thailand has been destroyed. We protest here to demand the land taken back to the state, and that Surayud will be punished the same way normal people are."
Khao Yai Thieng indeed is a very beautiful mountain. It is dotted with illegally built resorts and villas of obviously quite wealthy people. The evening before the rally the Red Shirts occupied a space directly across from the gate of Surayud's large compound, just separated by a road. There was a large police presence at all roads on the mountain. By the morning many Red Shirts had already arrived .
There were many food stalls, and stalls selling Red Shirts paraphernalia and tents. I photographed some of the Pak Thong Chai Rangers who worked as guards.
Red Shirts mingled at the compound gate.
There was some brief tension when several Red Shirts tried to get too close and were asked by police and Red Shirt guards to keep their distance.
The Red Shirts shouted, but the guards built a line in front of the police line, and managed to calm their fellow protesters down. The two lines remained there for the entire day.
For the hot hours I took a rest in a shady forest next to Surayud's land, just at the wall of his compound. The noise from the loudspeakers was a bit more bearable there. Police officers guarding the compound on the other side of the wall rested in their hammocks.
Soon many other Red Shirt protesters had a similar idea, and took a rest there as well. Other Red Shirts walked along the wall, chatting with the police officers over the fence.
Many jokes about Surayud and sufficiency economy were told. Double standards and "Amaart" was constantly mentioned as well. Red Shirt leader Arisaman Pongruangrong, a formerly very popular singer who has entered politics, walked by, accompanied by a group of guards and followed by many Red Shirts.
I talked for a while with an elderly lady who has lived in Germany for 14 years, and worked there assembling fridges in a factory. Her German was broken, but perfectly understandable. She talked about the holidays she had in other European countries, and of the difficulties between German/Thai marriages. She said that friends there wanted to find a German husband, but she preferred to stay single. Now she waits until her German pension comes through, and is a Red Shirt.
Later I went to the steep descent at the end of the plots of land. There was a stunning view over a large lake and mountains in the distance. Many Red Shirts were there, peeking over the fence into Surayud's compound, and enjoying the view, taking photos. People Channel interviewed a group of Red Shirts there as well.
Later, at sunset, Red Shirts began building a "double standard village" – two wooden village style shacks, for, as they described, a contrast to Surayud's large villa. Arisaman was quite engaged there, directing workers and taking up a hammer himself. He said that in his childhood, when he was poor, he had built such houses himself with his family.
Suddenly the smaller of the two structures collapsed with several Red Shirts. One man was caught in the rubble. After carefully lifting the poles away, he was found conscious, but with what was most likely a broken leg. Soon medics arrived and took him to the nearest hospital.
I managed to speak with a local. Throughout the day I had tried to find one among the many vendors. Most though were from nearby towns. The local woman waited there with her motorcycle to transport Red Shirts further down the road for 20 baht, where they could get transport down the hill. I asked her what the locals think about the Red Shirt protest. She said that she doesn't exactly like the protest, because nobody could get to work that day. She said that villagers have sold the land legally to the present occupiers. I asked her if in her village there were Red Shirts as well, and she said that there were, that there were a few discussions, but no serious arguments. She then saud that on the other hand she was quite glad that she had the chance to make quite a bit of money that day as a motorcycle taxi driver.
I decided to leave, as everything was calm, and I was getting very tired. On the way down I snapped a few pictures of "Sae Daeng" signing shirts and headbands of Red Shirt protesters.
