Jack Kurtz has asked about the situation in Bangkok and I’ve had a number of e-mails asking what it’s like in the city at present, which are appreciated.
However, before I talk about Bangkok, I awoke to shocking and saddening news from Mumbai this morning. I had tuned in to the BBC World News channel to catch up with any overnight developments in the situation in Bangkok and was dismayed by the news and pictures from India’s business capital.
I’m sure all our thoughts go out to those who have lost friends or family members in the terrorist attacks and we will hope that those still in the city remain safe.
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With regard to Bangkok, the truth is that even living in the city I have seen little evidence of the protests and demonstrations currently taking place. I have been going about my business, moving around the city, taking pictures, going to the Post Office, fetching groceries etc. without any trouble at all. Consequently, there’s a slight disconnect between my everyday experience and the scenes I’ve watched unfold on the nightly news.
The fact that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters have taken over both the international and domestic airports is troubling and I sympathise for those people stranded and to those who have had to change their holiday plans. Whatever the politics, and I really don’t know enough to comment, I would guess that the damage to Thailand’s reputation and the loss of vital tourist income will have an impact that lasts long after the airports are re-opened.
As for what happens next, it’s impossible to predict. The PAD are refusing to leave the airports until their demands are met, one of which is the resignation of Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat. The head of the army, General Anupong Paochind, has called for fresh elections whilst the Prime Minister has rejected calls for his resignation, declaring that he will remain in office. It certainly seems to be stalemate and perhaps the only thing we can be sure of is that something will have to give sooner or later.
You can keep up to date with latest news from the region on the BBC and CNN web sites.
In the meantime, I’m sorry to those people who are due to join me on photo workshops in Bangkok in the next few weeks. I have been in touch with them individually and agreed that we will watch the situation closely, hope that it comes to a swift and peaceful resolution and keep our fingers crossed that we will be able to meet up as planned and spend time capturing the more typical and uplifting aspects of Thai culture.
Talking of which, I took time out this morning to go and enjoy one of my favourite parts of Bangkok. The river taxis that swish up and down the Chao Phray rivera are a great way to see the city. They were packed as usual this morning and there were as many camera-toting tourists as ever. I think the noisy, bustling Bangkok river taxi offers one of my favourite journeys in the world. I was enchanted when I first took a river taxi, several years ago, and although it’s far from comfortable when crowded, it retains it’s charm for me. The Chao Phraya isn’t really the most attractive river in the world if I’m honest but it does have a kind of shabby and aromatic charm that I enjoy.
I hopped off at Memorial Bridge and took a leisurely walk through the fruit, veg and flower market, which is always an experience. I think asparagus must be in season as there was a lot of it on sale today. I took the last remaining table for lunch at a small cafe beside Tha Tien pier, caught up with a friend who sells material prints and caught the river taxi and skytrain back home, enjoying the sight of the recently erected Christmas decorations outside the main shopping malls.
As you can see, the Land of Smiles is still very much living up to its friendly reputation and although the news bulletins are necessarily filled with less inspiring images, it’s not the complete picture.
It’s been a week or more since I last posted but you’re not going to get an apology because according to Leo Babauta, it’s the last thing that readers want to see and I agree 
