Bangkok Shutdown

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I don’t know where this massive anti-government protest is headed, because I’ll never understand many things about Thailand.  A loudspeaker started playing music and speeches at 07:00 today right outside on the street below our windows, and by 08:00 a modest crowd had gathered before marching off to block intersections in the city proper.  Again, they were middle-class folks, and it was a festive atmosphere. 

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The key thing in common that draws tens upon tens of thousands of Thais into the streets is an absolute loathing of Thaksin, the convicted former PM, and the culture of corruption that he represents.  For sure, Thai politics has always been massively corrupt – and uprooting this tradition will take generations – but Thaksin was the brazen master of it. 

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It is more complicated than that, but save it for another time. 

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I created a Twitter account, @Northwindhermit, a while ago at the beginning of this round of political upheaval – mainly to get up-to-date news flashes of transportation jams, potentially violent places to avoid, etc. Twitter throws a lot of junk at you, mainly vanity postings, but it is a novel form of speedy connection. 

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Today’s Twitter feed is almost impossible to keep up with.  News of key intersections being blocked has radically restricted traffic into the city.  The boats, subway, and elevated rail are crowded.  Many people cannot get in to work.  Some folks suggest just saying to hell with it and go to the beach. 

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-Zenwind.

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