Bangkok Blogs

To begin with, please let me introduce myself to you. My name is Sirote, a university student in Bangkok. I’m starting to write articles on Bangkok today and hope to bring the best of my experiences to make a better understanding of the city for everyone. My written English is not perfected but I’m sure it’s readable. Mistakes are not avoidable but I’m optimistic they won’t be too big a deal. So thanks in advance and enjoy reading!

It’s a bit of a mission to think about what I should first write on this very first day isn’t it? Obviously not! It’s been exactly 3 days after the elective dictatorship of Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown in a surprisingly popular military coup supported by many Thais and more importantly the much revered King Bhumipol. Today I went out to do a bit of research on the aftermath of the so-called bloodless revolution. As a student and former Politics A-level taker, I’m relatively interested in the issue and spent some time travelling different parts of Bangkok to see for myself what it really was like.

In contrast to what I saw on TV 15 years ago during the last military coup when I was a mere toddler, everything is absolutely normal. People just carry on their lives even though a few tanks are still visible on streets. In fact, as you may realise, many people including university students and tourists take this rare opportunity to take pictures of themselves with patrolling soldiers. Some are even allowed to carry the gun. No kidding. Wednesday’s coup was just phenomenal. I mean people largely seem to have supported it though most of them were at first paranoid and scared which was perfectly understandable. I myself am not a big fan of government removal by force but must admit there can be exceptions in extreme cases like this.

Well, to be fair it’s undemocratic but how would you remove an elected dictator? Of course by force! I’m fully aware what the West makes of the situation and it requires a great deal of patience but please, please just wait and see. Mark my words, things will gradually be sorted out. It’s just a matter of time. For example, a new interim civilian government has been promised so that’s the first sign of relief. I’ve heard they’re approaching the former WTO director Dr Suphachai Panichapak about the possibility of him taking the top-job. All Thais know he’s a decent and extremely competent man based on his previous work domestically and internationally so we’re hoping he’ll be able to at least win back international acceptance for Thailand.

Thaksin might be having a ‘deserved rest’ in London at the moment but I’m convinced that he’s also being reduced to tears. Worth at well over 2 billion pounds (yes, might actually be even more than that), he’s ironically the richest but unhappiest man in Thailand (OK, he’s not here right now). I have no doubt that Thai society, like many others, is rife with materialism but I do hope my Thai counterparts have learnt some lesson from him and try to live a happier (always attainable) rather than a richer life. See you next time.