The last 3 weeks was so hectic for me. Didn’t have time to blog even. So, I’m just leaving you with some pictures taken when VK came for visit over the long Songkran holidays.
Went to Koh Samet – which was only about 4 hours away from Bangkok. It was a nice relaxing place with some fire twirlers at night.
Then we visited the Grand Palace and the colourful Wat Phra Kaew.
And climbed up the steep Wat Arun, just across the river from the palace.
Thai people don’t steal. Really. This sign at Wat Pho (very famous reclining Buddha temple) says it all. -- Monks don’t lie, right?
Kena tipu’ed. Though they said Songkran celebrations is extended till Friday at Khao San, its a lie!! Went to Khao San today afternoon, and its as dry as a bone! Stalls are re-opening selling all sort of knick knacks – clothes, wigs, fake driving licences, etc. (Imagine the embarrassment of carrying a loaded weapon around)
Meanwhile, for a chronology of events for the last few days in Bangkok, click here.
Some people were injured, few died. The US has condemned the violence. The army came and cornered the protestors. The red shirts has called off the protest. Several leaders were arrested, Thaksin’s passport has been revoked. Government help the red shirts to go home. Normalcy returns. Shopping malls reopen.
But more importantly, Songkran is back!! And with a vengeance! Well, imagine 2 whole days of having to withheld any celebration, of course the next day it all bursts out. Now Khao San will party on till Friday.
On Monday, the army came in (and they’re on the side of the current government). They manage to clear up a lot of places where the protestors are, although with some horrible clashes.
Thai people always have their eyes on the news, no matter where they are.
Anyway, this is too much for me, I cant enjoy simple peace and go out to nice places – so I’m heading to the BEACH! yey! On the way to Koh Samet now.
Last Thursday the Red Shirts (pro-Thaksin party) blocked some of the main roads, especially for the public buses, and created a massive traffic jam all around Bangkok. Rumours spread that they wanted to take over the public trains too. It got pretty bad towards the night, that the prime minister declared Friday a public holiday.
Then the protestors moved to Pattaya, where the ASEAN summit was due to be held. In the end the summit was cancelled, and then the protestors moved back to Bangkok.
On Sunday they were back in Bangkok, and due to the more unruly protestors, a state of emergency was declared… again.
Where was I during that time? Out celebrating Songkran! Yep, life carries on as normal – it was church in the morning (hey, it was Easter after all), and then to Khao San Road for Songkran (cos Silom was quiet). I reached home about 6, and then found out that the state of emergency was declared (it was all over CNN too).
Pictures taken from The Nation.
Mom at one of the entrance to a temple. And don’t think that there’s DAD on the other side…
MOM occupies both sides…
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