So how about those red shirts in Bangkok -Stickman gets up close and personal and the latest from the BBC

Stickman writes a blog, mostly on Bangkok's night but, as in this piece, gets out on the streets to offer his first hand look at what the red shirts are about.   click on  following link
 http://www.stickmanbangkok.com/BangkokRedShirtProtest/BangkokRedShirtProtest5.htm 


A very complete look at Thailand's present political goings on. This piece lends credence to the idea that new talks may be forth coming. As the government and the red shirts seek a peaceful solution in resolving the present situation.
Click this for the latest from the BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8633893.stm

Eighteen killed in Bangkok protest clashes

Looks as though our worst fears are now reality as Thai protesters go up against the Thai army in there quest for democracy.

The military coup in 2006 forcing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawata from power and then a rewrite the the Thai Constitution, dis banding his political party is what is to blame for this mess in what was know as the land of smiles.

The present situation wouldn't have happened if the promises the military made after the coup were kept or better yet if they hadn't pulled the coup at all.

The following is a link to Reuters on the current situation as of Sunday 11/4/2010:

Eighteen killed in Bangkok protest clashes

Thai government becomes impatient with disruption cased by protesters

What to do next, government ponders it options as protesters continue there demonstrations.

For four hour the red shirted protesters lay siege to the Election Committee headquarters.  Demanding the an inquiry be made into the legality of Abhisit Vwjjahiva party.   Once reassured that it was being investigated they withdrew.

Last week a series of talks between the two sides lead no where so it seems more chaos in the streets of Bangkok is the order of the day.   Army spokesman Samscern Kaewkamned told "The Nation" newspaper in Bangkok if they pushed the Red Shit leaders to hard violence would ensue.

The government announce 11 major intersection where protesters were banned from demonstrating.  In response the demonstrators designated 9 major intersection where they were to establish mobile demonstrations at today.  While Pm's office minister, Satit Wongnong stated - "the government will attempt to enforce restrictions on all (highway) routes",  and that seems to mean that a state of emergency has been declared today after a protest at the Parliament.

With all the pushing and shoving going on now in Bangkok it is easy to loose scope as what this is all about.  So here is a Doug quick moment in history-

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawata was elected to office with the highest number of votes on record in 2001.  Though most of his following is in the countryside of Thailand, workers/ red shirts.  While major cities like Bangkok are home to fewer people than in the countryside they have the money guys and societies movers and shakers who run the show, while the country side has mostly workers.  So with in this lays fertile ground for political problems. 

Thaksin was one of the only politicians to court the vote of the workers outside Bangkok.  Once in office he passed legislation for health care covering the poorest of the poor, created mini grants to help create new income opportunities for the poor and along with those social changes balanced the countries budget. 

In 2003 he attached Thailand's drug problem with gusto , maybe with a bit too much gusto according to some accounts, as in 8 months it was reported up to 2000 drug guys were killed and 51,000 arrested. 

Meanwhile, he was accused of corruption in his own business dealings and after the coup pulled him from office was convicted in absenteeism for corruption while in office.

He was over thrown by a military in a bloodless coup in 2006 while out of the country on state business and the military took control.  After a period of time elections were held for a new government but before the election Thaksin's party was forced to disband.  Resulting in the opposition party of Abhisit Vwjjahiva, backed by the military and the King winning the election and gaining control of the government. 

Which brings us to the reason the Red Shirts are protesting for a new election as they believe that the election that put Abhisit Vwjjahiva's party in power was illegal. 

US to spend millions to help Muslims in the south of Thailand

Since 2004 4000 have died at the hands of Muslim in the south of Thailand, bombings, beheading, ambushes and drive by shooting.  There primary targets are teachers and Buddhists in there war against Thai society.  You see A little over a century ago Thailand annexed this area and now the Muslim have decided they want it to once again to be Muslim for Muslim.

Now the US is coming in with a program to help the improve the young Muslin's self image and with the idea that then they will see the error in there ways and stop killing people.

OK, maybe this is a good investment of time and money but I'm thinking we shouldn't be messing in another country's problems and hey, couldn't we put that money to use at home.  After all, maybe I'm the only one to notice but the US isn't doing so hot in dealing with Muslim's in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran so what the hell are we doing messing around in the south of Thailand.

Probably won't know for a long while how this program will work out, maybe then extend it to the Philippians, Somalia and parts of Europe.  American's really don't need Social Security, Medicare or the country's deteriorating infrastructure fixed.

Meanwhile, Muslim terrorists are bombing, kidnapping and pretty much doing what ever they please.  America's money that could have went to finance Social Security and Medicare, and hey how about New Orleans we still haven't got that fixed, will be used to help a group of terrorists with there anger issues. 

I'm thinking they won and the US goverment just don't know it yet.

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/04/thailand-jihadists-ambush-murder-six-buddhist-villagers.html