And that's not the temperature. A few days back it looked like an agreement was about to be reached between the Government and the Red Shirts, but all hell has broken loose with the shooting of a top Red leader. From a friend's rooftop, we could see and hear from Lumpini Park all the smoke, blasts and gunfire going on. Earlier, I was on my way to see Ong Bak 3 when I realized that the Skytrain had been shut down and the streets barricaded. Soldiers are all over Farangland, well equipped but how well trained is to be seen. It was a bit worrysome seeing one solider leave his automatic weapon leaning against a wall and going off to buy some food at a street stall! Nice souvenir that would have been! If my air-conditioning was working better, I'd just stay home and order in - but I need to get out. Went to McD's for an ice cream cone and Farangland looked more like Zombieland - not a lot of people around. The oddest thing though that I saw today was a line of about 25 colleged aged farang females walking in single file with two chaperones looking after them. A class trip to Bangkok in the middle of a possible civil war? What genius thought that one up?
6 comments:
I just about to send you an email to ask how you're doing. Do you have an evacuation plan? (I'm only half joking.)
What part of Bangkok constitutes "Farangland"?
死亡是悲哀的，但活得不快樂更悲哀。...............................................................
Soldiers who have been issued ammunition for their weapons patroling the streets--that in itself would be enough to get me on the next plane to almost anywhere.
Particularly soldiers whose training is suspect--all it takes is a moment of panic or a misunderstood order for things to get chaotic.
DD - my evacuation plan consists of taking a taxi south! In the meantime I at least am well stocked with DVDs!
PG - my definition of Farangland is Sukhumvit from Soi 2 to Asoke, Soi 23,- just a motley jumble of bars, restaurants, hotels, food stands, tailor shops, junk souvenier stalls, pirated goods, go-go's, girls and tourists from Arabia to Australia. It is a bizarre little speck of territory that is both repulsive and fascinating.
EW - ya but it all sounds scarier than it feels being here - most people whether Thai or tourist are just going about their biz like on every other day - though the shooting is 5 minutes away by taxi.
Thanks for the update and watch your back.
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