Thai Politics is a very interesting subject and it is the one course I regret not taking while I am here. Some of you that keep up with the news might have heard about the building tension in Thailand leading up to February 26th. It is kind of a complicated situation but Thailand has two opposing parties the “yellow shirts” and the “red shirts.” The Yellow Shirts represent The People’s Alliance for Democracy, and The Red shirts represent The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.
Currently the Yellow Shirts are in control under the current Prime Minister Abhist and his supporters come from the wealthier parts of Thailand’s they want things to stay as is. Abhist is currently 45 years old and took office in December 2008 after the former Prime Minister Thaskin was deposed in the last military coup in Thailand in 2006.
Thaskin is supported by The Red Shirts and is now the reason for even more tension than usual in the Thai Political Arena. The Red Shirts want to get rid of what they this is not a true democratic government and this is why they are seeking a revolution. After Thaskin was ousted by the military coup in 2006 and he has had many charges filed against him while he has been in exile. The one charge that is relevant right now is how he used his power while being Prime Minister to illegally gain wealth, this charge led to 76 billion baht ($2.2 billion US) in his assets in Thailand to be frozen. On February 26th the Supreme Court of Thailand will hand down the verdict as to whether or not his assets will be releases or remain frozen or permanently seized.
This past weekend 3 pounds of explosives (C4) was found on the Supreme Court compound which happens to be 500 meters away from my school….. Also there were 2 separate grenade attack at a school (not my school) fortunately there were no casualties in any of the attempted attacks. Things might get a little crazy and security throughout the capital is going to be increased. I have already noticed more officers in uniform around school and I assume there will be even more by the end of next week. There is a protest planned for today, but often times The Red Shirts are more talk and less action, but they continually fight for what they want. As a result the added security will include the installation of about 250 security checkpoints throughout Bangkok and 4 to 5 thousand additional officers patrolling, and incorporating martial is a definite possibility if the situation warrants it.
There has been death threats in the past few days on everyone from the Prime Minister to all the Supreme Court Judges, they have all been offered safe houses and a few judges have asked to be relocated. The Red Shirts are seeking a revolution and if they do everything needed in order to achieve their goal there will be violence in Thailand not only in the coming days but weeks and months to follow. The king usually is able to calm tension down by making a speech because he is so respected by the people of Thailand but he has been ill since before I even arrived in Bangkok and continues to be hospitalized right across the river from school, and the last time he made a speech to the public was on his birthday after that no one in the public has seen him or heard his voice.
I live in an area that is not in danger by any means because all the violence if there is any will occur around the government building which surround my school, so if it gets bad on the streets I will just stay home from school=] I also have an extended break next weekend which might mean going somewhere away from all of the commotion, I want to experience the atmosphere surrounding the politics of Thailand but if I go away for a few days I am sure protest will continue the rest of the time I am in Thailand. All I can do now is stay away from any avoidable danger and stay informed about any new developments that affect me.
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