PAD Protests

The People's Alliance for Democracy have been in the news all week. Last week was the beginning of "the final war" protest against the corruption of the current administration. 200,000 protesters have taken over the government buildings, government TV station, and major airports and roads throughout Thailand. Many PAD supporters are groups who have come from small villages and provinces by bus to protest. Labor unions are also coming to Bangkok for the protests.

All of the streets leading to the government compound have been barricaded with tires and, ironically, metal police barriers. The barriers are overlapped and lashed together for strength. The only way inside is through security check points or hopping the fence while "security" holds your bags.

On the inside there are two types of people. The majority of PAD supporters lay on lawns, sidewalks, under tarps, and inside tents, listening to speakers on the main stage set in the middle of several city blocks. There are many smaller stages, with projection screens and speakers, catering to the overflow supporters who arrive by evening. The second type of supporters are those who rest next to sticks, pipes, golf clubs and helmets. They stay near the outer edges of the area under PAD occupation, at various "posts"; Intersections or small streets where opposing protesters, police, or army troops could enter from. However, these guards aren't just middle-aged men: elderly women and college students too.

Protesters injured during the Monday night fights, started by allegedly hired thugs of the Peoples Power Party, return to their old posts still wearing hospital gowns, as if they were returning home to see family. They are heroes. People rush to take pictures and ask for autographs.

In some cases, they are returning to family. Dozens of families are living under tarps or tents in gardens and lawns of government buildings.



Who do I support? I'm not sure. Some of the "peaceful protesting" wasn't. But they don't have much of a choice... PAD was written off by politicians as a few powerful people who were all noise and no fact. What amazes me is the way Samak has handled the situation. Not once has his administration commented on Samak's 80 million baht profits or why Samak continues to consult former PM, PPP/TRT spokesman, and crininal Thaksin, or about known cases of vote buying during the previous election. If I was innocent I'd at least try to explain... PM Samak has yet to give any answers; only threats to those who protest.