The Lost Boy

Pictures from today's democracy protest at Sanam Luang, Bangkok

At Sanam Luang in Bangkok today you’d be forgiven for thinking that Thailand was hosting its own version of Woodstock. While walking through the crowds of people I had to keep reminding myself that it was unlikely that I’d bump into groups of hippies surrounding a campfire smoking pot. Although today’s gathering had the look and feel of an enjoyable music festival, these people had actually come together to protest Thailand’s military-led government which was installed after the bloodless coup of September 19, 2006.

Several thousand people had once again gathered, many standing around drinking from cans of beer or else sitting on plastic sheets sold be vendors, for the latest in a series of daily protests by an assortment of groups keen to trumpet the virtues of democracy.

These same protesters, whose numbers have largely been exaggerated by organisers, took part in a major anti-junta rally on Saturday which culminated in a crowd of several thousand marching to army headquarters.

Today, powerful speeches were delivered; flags were continually waved; regular clapping ensued; occasional chants were instigated; and there were calls for Thaksin to come back, the military junta to step down and hand over power to the people, Sonthi to resign as chief of the Council for National Security (CNS), and the ideal of democracy to prevail as if its very name bore magical powers.

Here’s the problem: all these people want Thaksin back; that isn’t going to happen. Thaksin is gone, attending to other matters, getting on with his life in his own way. He is still very much in the public eye, as he well knows, and he lives on in the hearts of his beloved supporters, but when are these people going to be lead to a new beginning? When is somebody going to step up and actually come up with a real solution, instead of people simply spouting off ideals about democracy that, to be honest, you have to wonder if anybody at these demonstrations has really thought about?

What good does it do anybody to continually wish for an eventuality (Thaksin returning) that won’t happen? Thaksin’s supporters need a new vision, but as of yet they seem contended to wave flags and make banners wishing for Thailand’s former PM to take power again (have they thought about how this would be possible?).

Police presence was visible at today’s protest, but it was of an indifferent nature. The whole gathering was encompassed within a perimeter of metal railing, with only a few entry/exit points. People were being loosely searched on their way in and out, but for the most part the police were sitting around chatting, taking naps, or looking at amulets being sold on the street.

There is talk of the possibility of another coup. Both Prime Minister Surayud and Chairman of the CNS Sonthi have expressed their lack concern over such rumours. Some news reports have been expressing a growing fear that violence may soon burst onto the streets of Bangkok, but judging from today’s demonstration I am unsure such a thing will happen. These people were laughing, singing, enjoying themselves. It was like a day out. They did not appear ready to take to the streets in a bloody rage.

But what about those people outside of Bangkok? Have they tried to come into the city? There must be things going on on the outskirts of the city and beyond that we are just not told about. If several thousand people can gather in Bangkok, imagine how many hundreds of thousands might gather from elsewhere.

Possibly as a result of wanting people to remain in lively spirits throughout the protest, organisers put several bands on stage. Thai country music could be heard for miles around booming out of the PA systems on Sanam Luang. The people seemed to be enjoying the festivities, waving their flags in time with the music and singing along to songs about democracy and other such concepts. It was rather moving to see such an event occur; there was some real emotion on display.

Many people were sporting yellow head scarves. Bangkok Pundit has an amusing blog post about the similarities between these people and the People's Alliance for Democracy who protested against Thaksin last year.

If Bob Dylan was in Bangkok I’m sure he’d have been there.

Techno' tags: Thailand, Bangkok, Thai politics

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