'The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants' as quoted by Thomas Jefferson. The time is now, and tyrant Thaksin will pay for what he has put this once peaceful country through. The world will see that we Thais will not succumb to the unwanted tyrant who keeps dragging us into chaos. Tyrant Thaksin has no love for this country, all he wants is the money he gained through selling all the strategic assets that he was given concession, by using his bribery skills. The man has no respect for anything accept for money, he will buy his way through everything with his dirty money but failed when trying to buy off Thai courts, so becoming a fugitive. Britain is smart to quickly revoke his visa. The man is worth nothing but trouble, he has given Thailand nothing but taken much from her. Genuine democracy for Thailand definitely will come at a high price.

As an Expat living here in Thailand I can tell you that the normal Thai person on the street is concerned about a bloody crackdown on anti- government protesters, this recent bombing is just a start.

Thailand is currently divided into two groups, the educated middle and upper class Thais and the uneducated lower class Thais.

The upper class Thais see's the current government for what it is and always HAS been. A corrupt and profiteering group of individuals.

The lower class Thai see the government as the only Government in the past 100 years (if ever) that has given money to the poor.

Unfortunately this money wasn't used as a humanitarian gesture, it was used as a bribe to get votes. The poor who received the money soon found they owed more than they ever received.

The only way Thailand will ever see a true democracy is to allow oversight of the entire voting process by a third party outside the country, however this may never happen because the country of Thailand and its government will lose too much face if a third party were to oversee.

The other item that needs to be done to establish a working democracy is to create a balanced government with branches of the government limiting the actions of the others. Currently in Thailand this control is non functional.

Greg

"Descent into Chaos" is a misnomer. I've been traveling in Thailand for the last 3 weeks, and while I'm no reporter, everyone I've spoken to has said this is much ado about nothing. Politics seem to be a lost cause to many rural Thais and those living outside Bangkok (and many in Bangkok too). Until the PAD manages to inflame the passions of the people outside of Bangkok, this will be nothing more than a minor episode. By the way, using the words "descent into chaos" is irresponsible. Everywhere I've been – from a protest in Bangkok (where the local Thais were busy laughing at all the foreigners taking pictures), to a sleepy mountain town outside Chiang Mai – has been perfectly serene. I have yet to see any chaos here.

I agree with Winston Churchill with respect to democracy. At the end of the day in our beloved Thailand, a genuine democratic regime must rule these gentle but at the same time highly volatile people. The Monarcy and Buddism are the two most powerful stabilizing forces for reason, peace and prosperity. One craves for an honest and inspiring leader who can harness these forces and unify the people, both rich and poor, towards the common good. The country is a precious gem that should never be allowed to descend further into anarchy.

Although democracy is the essential for the country. It allow people to vote for what they think. This will make the people happy, but there is an exception in Thailand because the people in this country don't really understand what is the true democracy. They don't know how to use it to develop country, they just vote for whoever paid them for the votes. And those politicians who came from stupid votes got their seats in government. With unclean path, they ruled the country, change the law to benefit their interest not the country's. For other justice officers such as attorneys, polices, and some high senate member got bribed to omit what they have to do.

For all these curse PAD had to rally to drive these corruption people away from government. But the road is not easy as PAD had to face with false information from mass media in Thailand which accused PAD for what they did.

It's a hard road to bring justice to Thailand but we, PAD, had to continue our mission with hope that one day Thailand will be the land of justice and smile.

Well done Dan. Great article. But you did not include the biggest issue of them all, the monarchy's past, current and future role...self sensorship? Silent observer

I'm not saying Thaksin isn't corrupt. I'm not saying Thaksin is more interested in the welfare of the country and the people. He's corrupt, he's in it for two things: money and power.

But all those who are protesting... don't you see that you are willing to sacrifice peace in Thailand for yet another corrupt leader? Another corrupt regime. Do you really think the other leaders would be better for Thailand? Do you really think they wouldn't be lured in by greed?

Yes, you hear them talk skillfully and persuasively now. Yes, they speak of justice – but once these people will be in power, they will be just as bad.

I'd rather continue to live in a country with a corrupted government and live in peace, than live in a country where there is fighting and killing, where investors are slowly but surely pulling their money out and the economy is going down the drain, where things are escalating towards conflict – and should this be successful, all that will happen is that other people will fill their pockets with their greedy hands.

Think if this is really worth sacrificing lifes for. Think if this is really worth sacrificing peace for. And closely observe those who tell you that you should fight now.

Look at some African countries where corruption is at an all time high – people stood up there too, people protested and fought there too, and civil wars took place. And every time the "protesters" one, the "new leaders" became more corrupted than the previous ones.

Living in peace is a lot better than living in a war. If you are willing to do that, question your motives. Where will you say: it's not worth it anymore. Will it be when more people die? Will it be when children die? Because that's what happening when war breaks lose.

Yes – we are still far from civil war in Thailand. But if the situation continues to evolve the way it did in the past months, we will be a whole lot closer to war afterwards. And war is no way to democracy. Never has been. Look at history.

I understand Thaksin is bad, and he caused a lot of damage to Thailand. But it's in your hands now to bring the country back to where it belongs. And you don't do that by causing more unrest. We all have to find a solution together, and we will have to compromise.

We need your help to tell the true about Thaksin Shinawatra to the world.
Please help us.

I have faith that Thailand will make it out of this somehow. Unfortunately, it won't be easy and it possibly will take more lives. In my opinion, corruption, vote-buying, and Thaksin are not the only issues. Integrity of the media and individuals such as Sondhi Limthongkul, critical thinking and emotion of Thai people are also the factors at the moment.

What a dilemma we have in Thailand. After two elections (one before the coup d'etat and another one after the coup) the party with the majority of votes still connot rule the country. The PAD formed by largely by Thai elites who have more education than the majority that voted for the PPP think that the PPP are above the law. So whoever is associated with the PPP cannot not be a Thai Prime Minister. If they think that after losing that 2 elections they can take over with protests then how's about the election. I must assume that the last election result was fair otherwise the court would struck it down. How can Thailand have a genuine democracy? Let's say we have another election and the PAD wins. Will the PAD give up their power if the other side protests like the PAD is doing right now?

We are saddened by the fact that we are now ruled by the ost stupid people. Thais are nice people. They will not come out into the street to protest if the situation is not that intolerable. In this case we are talking about the worst kind of cronyism. If we lose today bloodshed will bound to stay on.The last fort are the constitution and the Judiciary. The very last one is the people.Unimaginale that the King has to live to see this day. He has contributed so much to his people.

thaksin he is the best p.m ever in thailand. he help the poor people like me.

why would i want to fight with another person because of a politician?i choose even to ignore my own people when it comes to arguing about politicians.shinawatra should come out strongly and let his supporters understand that even if he were to be jailed for 3 yrs,that wouldnt be so much that his followers would hold the govt in ransom.also just the same to his opponents when afterall its clear that he participated in some major corruption.

tambua,hamisi,kenya.

What kind of the democracy it is when the politicians use corrupted money to buy their votes from the poors and less fortunately ones who did not know better of what would be the consequences. That is what has been happening in Thailand for many decades. In the past 76 years Thai people have lived with many corrupted politicians. And it was at its worse with Thaksin Gov and his puppet Gov! Enough is enough! It is time for Thais to get up and fight for the right and get rid off those who corrupted our country!

Where does the military come down on the question of who should run the country? They seem to have been a key player at other times.

Well put HellNo! Thanks to you I had little left to say after your comment there. To Dan Rivers, thanks for writing this blog. I feel your work has helped the World understand Thailand and the people there better. By far I think your view about politics in Thailand, as shown in this blog and in previous news, are probably the fairest among many non-Thai reporters in International media. In other words, I think you are one rare foreign journalist who can see pretty clearly of what is going on in Thailand. Well, even quite a few Thai journalists in Thailand are disoriented these days. Though I much enjoy reading WSJ and regard its journalism highly, recently I started to think James Hookway became somewhat biased in his coverage. And I am not sure what has got into him. Besides, I hate the Economist's view about Thailand's politics. I think they are clueless.

Taksin is one of the worstest mankind. You have destroyed the country we loved for many centuries. The place wherever we live, can still call home. The land that rich in cultural, history, respect to elderly and loyalty to our majesty. The country where it used to be independently, have freedom to speak, read, making justice equally. I want the whole world to know that your money cannot buy Thai people' heart and dishonesty to our beloved king.

The problem with Thai democracy is everybody, especially the military are interfering with the running of a democratically elected Government.
And the PAD with the support of military establishment, are insulting the rural Thai people by saying that they are easily bought by money. Look at what happened to the Bangkok Governor's election? Bangkok is not rural-is urban.

I'm an Australian guy who currently lives in South Thailand. In my town there's PAD protests going on as I type. About 50 people showed up the other night. I can understand the disagreement with the current government, but 'mob' protesting is not the way to go. It's too dangerous and is not really effective. There are better (and healthier ways) to voice an opinion. The 'mob' protest thing is effecting tourism and Thailand as a whole. They are very focused on directing this incredible anger on the current government. The TVs pump it out like it's some sort of reality show. Honestly, this is just not a healthy way to be... But there you go. We're witnessing changes in history happen around us. :)

The PAD are proposing the most dangerous state of affairs. By declaring they the Bangkok elite, and not the rural people, are the only ones sophisticated enough to vote, is ignorant and downright pathetic. This will marginalise the majority of the country.

The PAD want to overthrow a democratically elected government by using illegal means. History has shown that dictatorship, real or perceived, will eventually result in a revolution.

If the PAD get their way it will be the beginning of the end for Thailand as we know it.

As an ex pat living in Thailand for over five years with a two month old daughter, I can no longer afford to take any more risks. I will move my family, my business and my money elsewhere.

thaksin shinawatra is the real king of thailand.

A foreigner living in Thailand for 10-years now, I am privileged to a bit of an insiders perspective. Thailand is a nation where 67% of voters accept corruption in government, as revealed in a survey published by respected Assumption University pollsters in September, 2008.

Many cultures view integrity and honesty as an absolute value. A person either has integrity, or does not have integrity . . . a person cannot have a "little integrity." This is founding value to first world social, economic and political systems.

However, Thailand's culture accepts corruption. Consequently, it is interminably infected by systemic corruption . . . blatant, open and in your face, by any critical measure.

The PAD anti-government protestors understand this. They are engaged in nothing less than a fight for the soul of nation . . . it's morals and ethics . . . presently, deficient Thai values permiting, even encouraging, corruption. The anti-government protesters success hinges on convincing the larger population of Thai citizens that Thai cultural values are inferior and need to change.

The persistent Thai failures about which we read daily [massive vote buying, child prostitution, people trafficking, judicial bribery, and on, and on] are not the problem. They are symptoms of the problem – inferior cultural values.

We here in Bangkok,are witnessing a milestone event in the building of a nation. From here, Thailand either steps forward into the light of a modern functioning society, or slides backward into the darkness of a Sub-Saharan-like society driven by inferior tribal values.

My bet: the inferior tribal values of an uneducated, dispossed majority will prevail over the moral values of an enlightened, educated minority. The solution will only be found in educating the Thai people, a multi-generational effort in the best of circumstances . . . an impossibility in the morally and ethically corrupted culture that is Thailand.

Thailand used to be the land of smiles. People look around you, where are the smiling people? Where is my bin ry? The generation that is taking hold wants everything right now but is not willing to work for it. Where are your young people ? The government needs new blood not bloddied people and rules, Talk to each other don't argue over who's right and who's wrong. Discuss what is the best way to resolve this dispute not how to start a revolution.

When it comes to choosing a particular political party, my comment is that no one is right or wrong. However, its natural that people will choose side.
From the comment of "HELLNO" i feel that you should at lest look and listen to both side.

Why dont you look at what Thaksin has done for the country instead of looking at all the negative things. I have never seen a policial party that is not corrupted one way or another.
I dont see you mentioning the following:

1) The decrese of IMF debt that Thailand was in
2) Increase in foreign investments and movements in Thailand
3) An increase in travel/tourism and hospitality
4) OTOP which is still one of the big projects here in Thailand

I find it ironic and funny that you can state that "Thanksin has no respect for anything except for money and that he will buy his way through everything with his dirty money" This is a very typical comment!!

I feel that you can not stand the fact that Thansin is very smart and has the brain and the power to get what he wants. Dont forget the man was a millionair before he became a prime minister.

Bangkok Bob, please leave our beloved country immediately. We do not care about your existence there.

Here in Sri Lanka, as in most religious countries, corruption is not only a pre-requisite qualification for a politician,but is considered an outstanding quality in a public official. Most of those who have been awarded the highest honors in the land have at least been investigated, arrested if not convicted, for for criminal activities in the past. The difference is, we look at corruption as an essential element of doing business in a friendly and amicable manner. It's a way of ' income distribution. So everybody joins in for a piece of the cake.

Midori, don't you know that all of the things you have listed was done for the benefit of Thaksin and Thaksin alone! And even if there is one that he has done good to Thailand it could not even measure up to what he has corrupted our beloved country Thailand.

Thaskin / Somchai's party were winning over rural voters because of their "generous social and economic welfare programs for previously neglected provincial areas." Their party won TWICE in spite of coups.

As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." The PAD (protesters) already knew that is the case. Why not legitimately try to win over rural voters with better policies geared towards the poor / rural majority, instead of starting coup after coup? If it's a democracy, you've to win over your supporters instead of restricting their power. You fight for votes.

Hence, I feel very uncomfortable with the protests. If Thailand is not ready for a democracy, why not just admit it and just have a military junta? This farce is getting annoying. Democracy is imperfect, but it has a way of righting its own wrongs. After all, Americans had Bush for 8 years, and no one forcibly ousted him from office.

Do the protestors understand their killing their own country. Most of their business thrives on tourism. Peak season for the tourism business is approaching? Anyway I guess they have more important things to do like raid an airport??

Where is the king in all this mess, isn't he in control, why doesn't he step in??

Just landed in Singapore last night after leaving on one of the last flights out from Bangkok. We were on holiday in Hua Hin, enjoying the wonderful hospitality of the Thai people, and left for the Bangkok airport. We were completely unaware of the situation until we were on the highway and noticed trucks filled with people. We noticed the yellow scaeves and the hand clappers the PAD were carrying, but still did not realize the situation. About five miles from the airport, traffic stopped. People were streaming into the streets and no cars were moving. Miraculously, our driver found a way off the expressway. That's where chaos ensued. Cars were driving the wrong way, going over very precarious-looking curbs and making dangerous u-turns. We somehow managed to get to the terminal where we saw the riot gear, police barriers and all the trappings of an ugly uprising.

Once out of the car, we were greeted so nonchantly by the airport staff, as if nothing was transpiring a few feet from us! There just seemed to be a serious case of denile and lack of information as unwitting tourists left immigration to find a city in turmoil.

We were extremely fortunate to get out of Bangkok–our plane departed 10 minutes prior to the rushing of the terminal. As I sat on the plane, I kept thinking about all of the tourists, just like me, landing into this situation. There was no notification, no warning, no indication at all that something was wrong.

I cannot comment on the political situation as I'm just not informed enough to have an educated opinion. However, I've been to Thailand several times and have always appreciated the beauty, grace and kindness of the people of this amazing country. I hope for peace and reconcilliation and no more blood to be shed.

IN, it is people like you who is destorying Thailand; i can assume you are one of those so called 'Educated Elite' who is against the government now and just think that by sitting out at the government house will solve your country's problem; and now hijacking your airport to hold everyone in ransom from leaving and coming home; this is indirectly a terrorist act!

Have you guys ever given a thought to those normal Thais in the streets who just want life to go back to normal and earn a normal decent living? those who dont really care abt politics and power not to mention greed! Are the PAD fighting for the majority Thais or just your group of Elites? Does it mean that poor rural Thais are not actual Thais and they have no rights and that everyone there is being bought by Thaksin? I am not siding anyone here, but taking the entire country ransom is definately not the way.

I used to go Thailand a few times a year, but i stopped since the demostrations started; and i dont think i will go there anytime soon; like Bangkok Bob, he is leaving; you might think you dont need us, but think again, we are not alone; without tourism and businesses, you might be unemployed soon, or are you already one....

I agree with FightFortheRight.

Midori: "Why dont you look at what Thaksin has done for the country instead of looking at all the negative things."

I think you are the one who needs to START looking at what "negative things" Taksin has done to the country.

I agree with Mr. Martin Hurley.

There are so many ways to get what PAD have claimed that they want, and put it it the way more systematic, and legally.
No need to block even one car on the street.
However, they just take another way, and make everything into chaos. Don't even care, I'd say not even respect to other peoples' right.

Compare to the USA, where president George W Bush has done very bad to the country according to many polls. But this nation just follows the rule that they've done for centuries. If a leader's done something bad, it's hardly to get him back to the power. New leader will be elected by majority.

In Thailand, PAD just don't want to wait, and don't want to use this democracy system. They claim that those poor people were bought. It happens to all over the world that whoever are in the government will try to offer and give lots of opportunity to those need. As you might noticed in the article that Thai people has been devided into 2, high class-educated, and poor in rural. Government in the past never try to give such an opportunity to those poor. That's why when they received from former prime minister Thaksin, they just grabed, and love him so easily.

And back to the current situation. Former prime minister is not even in the country. But PAD still show a lot of requests regards to former prime minister in the way that is very impossible to happen. They might need to cause the chaos circumstance. So the current government that they don't want will be ousted. Then they can manage some one who they want, to be the next PM.

As you can imagine that eveything has been done for their benefits. They also have been criticized that they do thing for themselve.

Anyway, the important point is that they just can't break the laws to get what they want.

I pray for Thailand and it's wonderful people. The idea of bombs in Bangkok saddens me so. Foolish young men with too much energy , anger and not enough wisdom. Thailand is a country like no other. It's people are brilliant and their King is an example for all the world.
I hope and Pray that There will be no war or violence there. There is too much of that foolishness in the world already.

Very interesting discussion in this blog – also nice to see some finer detail to a country most of us knows through vacation with nice climate and friendly people.
The problem is corruption and -
It actually boils down to: How much corruption will or can we tolerate? Corruption is everywhere and in every country in the world.

In Denmark where I live, we are supposed to be one of the least corrupt countries in the world, but corruption still exists! There are greedy people all over the globe. That is a fact, sad but true.

So how much corruption can there be for society to function effectively?
And how much are the thais willing to accept?
Because erradicating it completely is impossible.

So there must be some kind of consensus, and usually buddhist are quite good at that. I cross my fingers and wish you good luck dear thais.

"Bangkok Bob, please leave our beloved country immediately. We do not care about your existence there."
The PAD shows its true face: intolerant and hate-filled.
"the moral values of an enlightened, educated minority"
Like shooting people who disagree with them?

I lived abroad for 14 years during my teens and young adult years and now back to live in a place I call HOME. Despite all these, I'm still proud to call myself Khon-Thai (Thai person).

Midori, WAY TO GO!

FightFortheRight – Do you people really think that the persons funding these protests are not doing this for their own benefits too? They're not selfless, instead, they just want their turns to take a piece of the pie! And not to mention that PAD seems to have forgotten that the other politicians are also just as corrupted as Thaksin, the only difference being that when Thaksin was the prime minister, he actually did somethings beneficial to the country as a whole. Finished builiding the Suvarnabhumi airport, the Sky train, the MRT, FINALLY someone attempting to improve the educationl system!

If you look closely (with as little prejudice as possible) at the history of "democracy" in Thailand, you'll see that all the past PMs in Thailand have all done some things to benefit themselves financially but did any of them do Thailand as much 'good' as Thaksin had. How long did it take us to get the Sky train built and done? We planned to build before Singapore did!

Thaksin's only faults was that he was too careless of the influence the press has on people. "Educated" people think they have all the facts but almost all the press people in Thailand are owned by anti-Thaksin groups! Do you really think that you're getting both sides of the stories?

We all say we love the great kingdom of Thailand but depleting our country of such highly valued sources of incomes (from tourism and such), is this the way to bring the country to greatness? SERIOUSLY!!

The Political problems in Thailand may look scary to some, but this is inevitable. This is a path to the better and politics. PAD have been protesting for a very long time and this is coming to the close. Thailand is a victem to corruptions for many years. Poor and uneducated people have been used as pawns to propell those corruptors into powers. This is not only bad for Thailand and as a development of democracy in the world in general. The World needs peace and properity for everyone, however, some selfish individuals will do everything in their power to ensure that them and their kinds prosper and forget everybody else. As many wise people had said in the past, Domocracy required sacrifies. This is a giant leap for us Thais we are waking up to the world around us. We are demanding what is rightfully ours and a fair share in life. We can only hope that all of you good people understand the situations and let it runs it course.

To Khon Thai – how can you say that to the person you hardly know for only a few years. The King has been caring for his subject for as long as we can remember. HE does not have to do what he what he has done, but he did it and with the Goodness of his heart. Taksin just want to be all powerful and raking in all of the resources even shamelessly giving away lands that our ancestors have given their lifes to bestow them to US. As Greg has stated in the previous blog, these two institutes are the ones that precious to Thailand and making us what we are. You are comparing and introducing what everyone in the world despire and try to better themselves to something so revered and respected. I am ashame and feel sorry for you. Every foreign friends I have envy me for having something that I can holdon to with my heart and soul, something I can related with and something I and my family can charish. I feel sorry for you and I do not understand how you can called yourself Khon Thai.

You know what is amazing about Thai values and culture? Amongst the protests and the shutdown of an international airport, very few people have been hurt.

I think that is the best testament to Thailand being the "Land of Smiles". This too shall pass, and although there will be serious repercussions for tourism this season. In a year or two everyone will have forgotten and it will be business as usual.

I myself plan on visiting Thailand in December. Maybe I will even take in a protest!

I am new to this lovely country. I came from California were there is chaos, noise, greedy and corrupt people, sad and sorry individuals that though they seem happy...will never be. Then there are the minority who live near the beaches, bask in the light of life, sing, dance and work hard to have a happy life instead of living to go to a job everyday.
I was so very excited to be moving here, to start a life here, maybe even a family. Thailand the land of smiles? Is that the same as someone telling me that California is paved with gold and there are movie stars everywhere, when I would only tell you it is not? It may very well be, because it can become a lie, false and disceiving. Do not damage what the world sees when they think of Thailand. Don't be rediculous and start a feud over money and politics, that is what happened to 'the land of the free'. I am not disrespecting my own country, I love my country because it is my home and heart. Be proud of your wonderful Thailand and stop distroying it with hate and anger.

Work it out!! Deal with it!! The last thing this country needs is for its way of life, economy and people be allowed to perish. Think about; what you are doing and how the lasting effects can hurt all living here? Both sides need to come to some sort of agreement so to acheive balance, peace and love for Thailand.

I have watched this unfold for many years. My in-laws are Thai and I have seen day by day how this PAD group's influance continues to grow and how its main leader's powers of persuasion are playing on the fears of the Thai people. Fear can be a powerful ally and I have great concerns about anyone who uses it to his advantage. This leader is so powerful that the vast majority of the Los Angeles Thai community watch his personal televison station, Manager televison, 24/7.

PAD's success has relied on not just the Thai people's fear of a courrupt government, but the fear of a bloody revolution. PAD continualy uses this to their advantage. The vast majority of Thais I have met would go to great legnths to avoid conflict, even in their business dealings here in the United States. The PAD leader is well aware of this Budhist philosophy and has taken full advantage of it.

The issues in Thailand are far beyond a few financialy courrupt politicians in its goverment, but rest in the sad state of their financial markets, educational system and huge prostitution problem.

It is no secret that there is huge issues with child prostitution in Thailand and Cambodia, why are the protesters not outraged that the Thai government does not take action to prevent this abuse? There are no new industries being developed outside of tourism in Thaiand, why are the members of PAD not outraged that the goevernment is not actively seeing to improve it's financial future in this regard? There is no significant attempt to improve the educational system or healthcare system in Thailand, yet the leader of PAD and his followers are not outraged. There is a simple reason for this, there is no political or financial advantage to be gaind for PAD's leader to champion these causes.

Beware of any person powerful enough to control his own media outlets and rally people by playing on their fears. The current PPP party's political policies may not be the best for the people of Thailand. However, resting the political power in the educationally and ploitcially elite is very dangerous. There were those in our own country's history who argued for this, and fortunatly we were able to settleon a more sensable solution, the Electoral College.

As this PAD movement's true power comes from playing on people's fears and emotions, the posibility of bloody revolution does exist. "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering." (yoda) I see great fear in the eyes and words of PAD's followers.

IN -

You WILL care, after all the foreigners leave, and Thailand becomes another Burma. Enjoy it.

> Thansin is very smart and has the brain and the power to get what he
> wants. Dont forget the man was a millionair before he became a prime > minister.

Smart + rich + power != good.

These things can be used for good, but it appears that Thaksin has used them mostly to increase his own personal wealth at the expense of the Thai nation and people.

So, 'Poor Thailand', now you have to be 'educated' to vote, perhaps you could quantify what that means? Only those that you consider bright enough can have their say and not 'those peasants' who in truth are your country's lifeblood. What next? Sterlising those individuals deemed too half witted to bear children. A certain Mr Hitler and his associates adopted that approach.

You are lucky that you live in a country that allows you a voice, many others in this world would brutally oppress you from doing so. That said, damaging the livelihoods of your own people and inconveniencing countless more by occupying an international airport is neither an educated nor a rational approach, but it's OK because you wear yellow shirts and carry around portraits of the King right?

I ponder whether PAD really stands for People AGAINST Democracy.

Perhaps the following taken from the Cambridge Dictionary may clarify your apparent confusion, if you choose to read it that is:

Definition
democracy
noun
1 [U] the belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves

the UN is putting its heads into the sand when its clear that the chaos in thailand could end up into a civil war.and the people in UN doing this ignorance are the same people who want everybody elsewhere in the world to believe that mugabe is the sole problem in zimbabwes current situation.

tambua,hamisi,kenya.

Right on Bernie!! Thank you for your realism and diplomacy. I agree that if any one that thinks it takes absolute knowledge to vote then they are mistaken...it takes heart and faith.
I must say that I am so happy still to be in Thailand and be able to be here. I really do not want to see this great place faulter because of civil unrest regarding Politics of all things. If anyone has a way to get this to those involved, do it. This is the time of season when Thailand, Bangkok especially should be booming with tourists, fueling the economy and sharing the richness of life . But no, we have silliness at the airports with some PM and General not doing anything. I just hope Thailand can recover.
I think Tracy has a great outlook on all of this.
AG..I dont want to see this place become Burma either.
Foreignonlooker, great words, really.
If only a group of people could get together to play babysitter to a possible meeting, to resolve all of this selfishness. And yes, any protester that thinks this is good is selfish...your killing your country you are going to starve the land. I really hope ALL involved realize their actions or lack there of.

Well, as I said "Thai People don't know how to use democracy to improve their country" because corruption in whole system in Thailand. Many officers omit their duty to maintain justice in country, I mean whole system include independent organization such as FBI (in USA). These corrupting system ruin the country for many decades until Thailand falling from leading country in SE Asia to 4th or 5 th in this region.

We watched and learned many developed countries how they advance at the fast pace and found that the key is to educate people with the sincere governments. Without corruption we can speedy develop the country with steady rate. Therefore we tried to make it happen but all corruption politicians who rule the country used every ways to prevent our goal. They fear that their wealth from corruption will no longer exist. They use money to bribe almost every mass media to misrepresent and made PAD to be bad people. they used deadly weapons to break PAD apart to make people fear and not come back again. This resulted in more PAD rally.

I wrote this to present the truth which you may not receive from some mass media; e.g . R....r. Because in capitalism sometimes good maybe evil or evil will be good. If you want to find out the truth please come to see with your own eyes.

P.S. About Suvannabhumi airport, I didn't agree for this action because PAD should go to all free TV stations which always misrepresented about PAD and told them to present the truth to all Thai people who can't afford any channel more than these free.

I doubted about any hidden intention of some PAD leaders because of their decisions in the past, they can made a better decision which result in more compromise solutions. However I agree that this country need to drive all corruption politicians away to make the country better.

Such a shame the human race evolves at such a slow pace, however this is an evolution that has to take place, for the human mind is still based in an animal state and the kaos that prevails is not a debate, its is the worlds fate and you cannot mistake the state of such things will not break, untill we as a whole collectively enlighten our minds, then u will find we can become devine. The people of the world can work as one, peace, prosperity and harmony we will become and once this is ensued and then the true fulfillment of human exsistance can be persued. Until such a time we shall have to wait for the human mind to decide its fate, raising from this primal sludge or sliding back to be begrudged. Such tedious things we all surcome too, the time is now for us to renew, this the time the mind has come clear, a point in history to erase all fear to consolidate and raise up on this sphere. Please raise your consiousness here forget all this which you do fear!

"Witness to Nation Building" thank you for explaining that to everyone. You really have seen the truth. I was so sad too when I saw that poll out. I have a friend who her brother said he wanted to be a politician because he could earn lots of money. Being politicians is about honesty, not the money.

I spoke to my wife of 20 years this morning. She is staunchly Thai and proud of her country, yet, quite out of character, angered and reduced to tears by recent events.

We have been counting the days until my next visit planned for this coming weekend and my wife has spent months planning to receive friends that she has not seen for some 12 years. It was with heavy hearts that we had to tell them that 'tolerant' Thais would not be giving up the occupation of the airport anythime soon and as a result, they will now be transitting through a country that has a better understanding of democracy. Meanwhile, I will remain trapped in a neighbouring country, unable to visit those I love

There has been a great deal of talk about corruption, which will not be cured overnight by the way, so I ask, how morally corrupt is it to act in such a barbaric manner? By all means demonstrate, but holding people hostage indirectly or otherwise is a shameful act.

While people are trying to make Thailand better, some of them still only care of themselves. How can you only worry about enjoying yourself in this kind of situation? You don't care where your tax money goes? Are you one of the person who feels fine with corruption? Please tell me you still have some moral.

This is the first time in my life that I am ashamed to be living in Thailand (used to be so proud). The mob protesters claim to be they are protecting the country, but they are taking the whole country of Thailand into ruin. Thaksin may be corrupt in his own right but the PAD leaders are no exception, they are killing the country, our economy, industry, and the prople's living because they just want to "win". The damage that is done to the country by the PAD closing the airport is beyond compare to Thaksin's corruption, it is worse than Tsunami, or any other crisis. Why can they close 2 airports and no one can touch them? Not even the authorities? The police can't even be armed. They cannot "touch" "move" the people who are killing our country? Why?!?
Police can't be armed but the protesters have dangerous weapons in posession, they use (aged) women and children as the forefront barricade so they themselves can be saved, and people speak about humanitarianism? They speak about saving the country from corruption but the protesters get 3 meals a day (not including the sandwiches' taken' from the shops at the airport), place to sleep (currently is the airport) and daily pocket money. They speak about saving the country for democracy, but they are proposing for themselves to be chosen as the minister, and for the government not to be elected by the mass but chosen by the minority. They have gone beyond the boundaries of protesting within bounds of constitution. They are taking Thailand back to the past, to the most unliberal type of politics. When will the PAD supporters wake up to see the truth? Maybe they can't because they only watch the PAD's television channel and listen to 1 side of the story . And how much is that side of the story is the truth???

The protesters are negotiating to help people who want to leave, and it appears that agreements have been made Sunday to do that.

Nevertheless, the blame for all of this should not be placed upon PAD. It's Thaksin, desperate now that he knows he will not find an "acceptable" country that will let him live in it because he's an international fugitive, who has forced the confrontation.

I feel sorry for those tourists who have been so inconvenienced for so long, especially those in other countries, but you still must see this as a good vs. evil situation with far reaching consequences for Thailand's future. Ask yourself what Thailand would be under a Thaksin dictatorship?