[exschke]

were France, Denmark, Belgium, Poland and Austria colonised by Germany during WW2? I'm not a historian and normally I don't take definitions very seriously, but I would say wartime occupation is not the same as colonisation. control is probably a good word there.

should Thailand as a whole take the blaim for not doing anything to stop the killings and slave camps? after all, it wasn't quite an elected government being responsible for everything, it was a bunch of people, not a country. I really hate that some groups (I would prefer not to name them) still play the guilt game with entire nations and countries. revealing the truth and talking about facts is important, but making people feel bad about the deeds of others two generations ago is simply mean and ugly. unfortunately, in certain cases it is difficult to discuss the truth without making the nation feel ashamed, guilty or deceived, it can weaken a nation's self-belief. I don't really know how to put this idea, but I do feel it, coming from a country that ended up pretty much in a similar situation as Thailand, which is still not openly discussed yet, only the guilt game is being played quite agressively in recent years, which is not the way to heal wounds and look forward. it is extremely difficult to strike a balance.

[Khurlxgq]

Perhaps Guava, you ought to trek over to Sanam Luang on 4 February.

PM enemy No#1, a certain Mr Sonthi has promisied a rally so huge that it will dismantle Mr Thaksin.

I dont really think the authorities in power are gonna take the sight of a few Farangs at an anti-govt rally that....seriously. They would probably think he hadn't a clue about politics and was only there for the free sticky rice, grilled chicken and Beer Chang!!

[kasandrasikl]

igotno said Outside Thailand farang don't know or care about Thai government. I am curious about how many people were involved in the protest? What was the average age? Male to female ratio? Social class? I mean middle class, or low class? You would be surprised to know that many farang do care about Thai politics..... I am not alone in having family living in Thailand while being stuck in euorope for work reasons. The government of Thailand make decisions that have a direct impact on my family and my business interests, not me alone but I have many friends that are affected too.

The protest was much much bigger than i had imagined from reading the press reports in recent weeks ... but I can only guess... maybe as big as a premier football game in UK ..... no idea really 20,000 people or 5,000 I only know it was bigger than I imagined from press reports.

I am curious about how many people were involved in the protest? What was the average age? Male to female ratio? Social class? I mean middle class, or low class? male to female 50/50 social class from the people I talk to definitely middle to upper class. that is why they demonstrate on friday .. they finish work as lawyers, surgeons, media people etc

from what i could gather the main objections are to do with the alleged corruption and the allegations surrounding the advantages Thaksin family members have gained.

I must state that I do follow the Thai political situation very closely and my decision to join this protest wasnt done on a whim but rather for me it was an opportunity as a farang to make a small protest against a government that I think has lost its way.

[kasandrasikl]

Well I am back in UK after my most recent trip to Thailand. One unexpected experience this time was my participation in an anti goverment (more specifically anti Thaksin) rally at Suan Lumphini.

My original intention had been to cut through the park to the Night Bazaar, but arrived at the time the demonstration was leaving for Government House. I became caught up in the crowds which were many many more than I had been led to believe by the press reports of similar demonstrations over the few weeks prior to my trip.

Of course there didnt seem to be any other farang there so we became a bit of an attraction, with many people asking us to march with them. At first I just wanted to find a way through the crowds to reach the Night Bazaar and have Som tam and rice and listen to live Thai music. Then I got in a converstaion with a Thai guy, he was surprised that I was aware of the political situation in Thailand and that I spoke Thai. He was a business man (like most of the demonstrators from middle class) and we had a fascinating chat about the reasons for the unrest. Before I knew it, I was waving a flag and happily marching (more of a slow stroll) alongside the crowd to the obvious delight of all around.

Was it stupid? ... I guess so.
Did it feel stupid at the time? .... No
Would my contibution make a difference? ... Nope but raised a few laughs and smiles
Do I regret it? .... absolutely no, it is one of those images that are burnt forever on our minds.

Pics to follow on my website.

[ChrisGoldstein]

It wasn't Thai that died building the Thai-Burma railway,,It was mostly Aussie, Brit and assorted other POWs.
To find out the real truth is very hard because of the tourist attraction to such things,,but the "Bridge on the river Kwai" is all BS. they didn't build the bridge that is there,,the bridges that they built were just Viaducts that hugged the steep banks on the East side of the river and never did cross it.

But Thailand was an ally of Japan and there was a gorilla movement but it was hilltribes and not "THAI".

And the Thai fought with the Viet for awhile until the French left.

[kasandrasikl]

Guava didn't go there with the purpose of demonstrating, either. From what I understand, he was caught up in the situation unexpectedly Absolutely correct Siamjai, furthermore if fate hadn't placed me standing next to a very friendly eloquent Thai gentleman, I may have decided to leave the area by the quickest route possible. This persons obvious interest in a farang showing some knowledge of Thailands internal politics allowed me to ask questions and receive explanations that I would have found it difficult to obtain from any other source. Just the atmosphere and the feeling of energy and enthusiasm is not something easily conveyed by watching news coverage or reading newspaper articles or, indeed, reading about events on the internet.

[ChrisGoldstein]

What you say might be correct alright, But a bunch of farang rooting and demonstrating for Toxins Removal from govt is not a thing that I see as very smart or even an accepted way to act when you are here on a Visa.

The present govt or even some of the Royal family do not really like farangs all that much, and being invited to join the govt. is a long way from foreigners demonstrating in public for govt. change.
Public demonstrations is something I can not see as very acceptable to those in power.

So if a bunch of you are taken from a demonstration and deported with a black mark,,so be it, I am the last that will be there raising hell about it.

[RotsLoado]

The information in country data is pretty much what I remember was touched on in school. There will aways be "other" events that never make it to the news.
What is taught in Thai schools on the subject?

In defense of gorillas, we are not silly- looking !!!

[tretcheenia]

"thank you KhunDon, that's exactly what I was going to look up for my next post. however, colonisation up here sounds like some nice philantropic idea, doesn't it? :-) developing should be cut out and substituted with exploiting."

Betti, you are, of course, right. Got to admit -the dictionary I used was pretty old (1959 !)

[tretcheenia]

"But Thailand was an ally of Japan and there was a gorilla movement but it was hilltribes and not "THAI"."

So, Ex-Prime Minister Pridi Banommyong, a very important British agent in Siam, codenamed "RUTH", and a leading member in the Thai Resistance, was not Thai?
Siamese students, collectively titled "The White Elephants" (after the flag of Siam) caught in London on declaration of war and trained by SOE in India were all of the hilltribes ?
You may also care to check these links :

http://www.unc.edu/depts/diplomat/AD...tters_12a.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Thai_Movement

http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-13692.html