One Night in Bangkok

Hey all...I know the tone of my posts usually include some humor (or at least I think so). Today's has a very serious subject. A very good friend of mine lives in Bangkok (no, he doesn't know John Mark Karr, but he did live and work very near him)...and in case you don't know, there's a military coup going on to overthrow the government. The Prime Minister is in the US at the UN, so it was 'perfect' timing for the coup.

I was at the gym yesterday around 10-10:30 when I saw the Breaking News on CNN. My thoughts immediately went to "Sean", and I prayed for his safety. It was a prayer I repeated through most of the day. Since Bangkok is exactly 12 hours ahead of where I live, he was just going to bed as all this started. I finally got an email from him...here's what he wrote.


***
What I didn't realize was that across town, tanks were rumbling into the city and parking in front of the government buildings. At the same time Thai tv stations were all playing music videos about the King (the first sign of trouble), and a military coup was happening while the PM was in NY. I ignorantly went to bed feeling refreshed.

At 11.30 a co-worker called with the news. Just after midnight another friend sent a phone text message warning me of the curfew and telling me to watch the news. Why they thought I might be out at that hour on a school... I can't imagine.

This morning was a little more quiet than usual. I heard the standard Muslim call to prayer at the local Mosque just after 5 am. At the street corner by my apt, there is usually a lively pack of motorcycle taxis busily rushing people out of the neighborhood. Today, only a few men huddled under the lamp post. There were even fewer customers.

I turned on the TV in my apt. I have only Thai stations and all of them simultaneously broadcasting identical patriotic songs and videos. One was in English...
More important than the sun, moon, and stars
loved by your people near and far
history will show the greatest king you are
King Bhumibol

International cable stations were black.

The free way that I can see from my apt had very few cars--but that is typical. At least there were not tanks or soldiers. I called into work and found out that we had a public holiday. Violence is not expected, but everyone is "invited to stay home."

The morning sky was overcast. Perhaps the political future of Thailand is just as grey and uncertain. One has to wonder if there will be sunny days ahead or just dark reign.

The construction site across the street is usually filled with activity, pounding, sawing lumber. Today it is strangely empty. A vacant lot, absent of builders, lack of progress. A coup, vacant government buildings, a power vacuum.

As I stood on my balcony, I could see into the neighbors garden as he got into his car and prepared to drive away with his daughter. He wore a bright yellow shirt--the color of the King. Thais consistently wear this color on Monday--the designated King's Day--as a sign of devotion and adoration of the beloved Monarch. Today is Wednesday. I watched the one spot of hopeful color as it drove in the grey uncertainty. The hope of sunshine. The hope of the Monarchy. Perhaps sunny days are coming.

And this afternoon I ventured out. By 11.00 am things seemed normal. I bought some bread and a phone card (what a day to run low). The store was filled. The internet rooms were packed. People are not panicked.

At first, I was not concerned. But the more I think, the more disturbed it makes me. Any time one resorts to physical power, it seems to weaken your argument. While we had daily protests against the PM, his party still won the election this year. And yet, our own history is filled with revolution. And even a warning that any government that fails to serve the people should be overthrown. Perhaps, we should learn a lesson. Is Bush scheduled to be out of the country any time soon?

I think I'm doing ok.

"Sean"

Please keep Sean in your thoughts and prayers while this situation of uncertainty continues.

Thanks.