My great-grand-aunt Bert sailed around the world in a sailing ship. Her widowed father was the captain. His daughter was 12. National Geographic published her tale of circumnavigating the globe. Her visit to Siam was highlighted by the blackened teeth of the betel-chewing women. She was the first person in my family to reach the Orient. The year was 1879.
I was the second family member to reach Bangkok. The city was under siege by demonstrations protesting against the military government. The city troops were unwilling to uphold the order to clear the streets. The generals called in several battalions of up-country soldiers. The officers told the ranks that the mobs were communists trying to force the King to abdicate. The shooting began as a surprise and didn't stop until scores were dead.
The year was 1991.
The King stopped the killing and forced the generals to accept a freely-elected government. Political violence has been curtailed by the reserve of the Thai people, however this weekend the red-shirts flexed their muscle and attacked the army soldiers attempting to move the Thaksin supporters out of their barricades. The half-hearted attempt resulted in a bloody battle in which shots were fired by both sides. A score of people were killed and hundreds wounded in the fray.
2010.
The hands of Thaksin are on the controls.
His message is simple.
"History will not forgive us if we do not seize the power at this moment."
And he is talking about taking over from the King.
The current PM has little influence with the masses and even less support from the military, who want to be seen as neutral in this two-faced battle for power.
I was going to fly to Thailand next week. I want to see my children. I know that the trouble in Bangkok will not effect Pattaya. That town is too wicked to be involved in politics. Babylon will survive intact. After all it's Songkran. Time to go crazy.
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