fighting at home

I lived in Thailand last year. I just moved back to the States in May, not quite 7 months ago. There are days when I miss the people, the food (mm the food), the culture. I have to say though that most of the time, I live totally ‘in the moment’ :: I have eyes only for where I’m at right now. While this has its drawbacks at times, I’m learning that it results in a great amount of contentment.

Regardless, a part of my heart will always be in Thailand. Which is why the news of what is happening in Bangkok right now is very personal to me…

Long story short, the people hate the prime minister (appointed in October) and want him gone. The people have been protesting — locking government officials up in a government building (which was attacked last week, and dozens of people were hurt), setting off car bombs, rioting in the streets.

But last week things went crazy. The people invaded the 2 international airports, Suvarnabhumi & Don Muang, and have overtaken the control towers, saying they won’t leave until the prime minister resigns. The number of tourists who are stranded continues to grow day by day, and now it’s said that at least 100,000 people are stranded. A military airport has been opened not too far from the city, and people are being routed out of there, but the waiting list is said to be weeks long. Tension is mounting, food and water are running out, and no one has any idea what’s happening or coming next.

I have literally stood in this airport, lots of times, been exactly where these people are now stranded. Almost exactly one year ago I was flying out of the Suvarnabhumi airport to come home for Christmas.

Video of tourists stuck in the airport … thanks for the sarcasm, Americans

 

Protesters in Suvarnabhumi (yellow=the color of the king)

Tourists stranded … for who knows how long

Here’s what kills me. There are Americans there. Probably a lot of them. But have any of you heard anything about this? bbc news is my homepage …. otherwise, I doubt I’d know a thing. Other countries are up in arms, sending in their own planes, getting their people out. We’re too worried about Barack & Hilary to concern ourselves with a poor little country with no oil.

Do I sound frustrated? I am.