THAILAND

Thailand considers invoking the Internal Security Act (March 9, 2010)

The UDD (United Front for Democracy) or mostly know as the Red Shirts due to their signature red shirts, are calling for the resignation of the present Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and new elections. Many of the group support ex Prime MinisterThaksin Shinawata, now in self imposed exile after the coup of 2006.

To this end they will rally in Bangkok on Sunday, involving up to a million people, mostly from the outlying areas of Thailand. Starting on Friday (12/03/10) they will arrive in Bangkok aboard buses, trucks, farm tractors and on foot for Sunday's demonstrations. The group has the potential of choking off Bangkok's roads and shutting down travel in and around the city.

The Thai government is rolling out the troops, up to 100,000 to enforce the peace. Though the red shirts have proclaimed their intent is for a peaceful protest but with this many people massed together in such an emotional charged atmosphere, who knows what might happen. Though in general Thai's are a peaceful sort and are respectful of outsiders so farang shouldn’t be in danger. Though the wise person is always aware of their surrounding and should skirt around any trouble spots.

The government is expected to invoke the Internal Security Act today, which as close as I can figure is a nice way of saying Marshal Law. Schools in some areas in Bangkok will be closed as of Thursday.

All this has the potential of effecting serious political change in Thailand or maybe turn out as in the old saying -“same, same but different”.