The carnival atmosphere returned, on the surface at least, to the anti-Government Red Shirt protests in Bangkok today. The Reds temporarily abandoned their stronghold at Pha Fa Bridge and set-off on a rally through the city streets. Their planned route had been well publicised beforehand and Government representatives had advised Bangkok locals to stay inside their homes during the rally. Whilst there is, I suppose, always the potential for trouble to flare up, the Reds stayed away from likely hot-spots and the enormous snaking red tide made its way through the city without any significant problems.
I spent several hours photographing the rally and was left with the impression that it was quite a publicity coup for the Red Shirts. After their provocative and disturbing antics a few days ago when they spilled their own blood onto the streets, they probably hadn’t won any new supporters but they had succeeded in fanning the flames of publicity. Today’s rally threatened to bring Bangkok to a grinding halt although for a city that can best be described as “grid-locked” at the best of times, I’m not sure if anyone would have noticed the difference. Reports on numbers vary but it’s fair to say that the volume of cars, pick-ups, vans, lorries, scooters and tuk-tuks was quite simply overwhelming.
I began the day at the tail-end of the rally and spent several hours working my way towards the front. Sometimes walking, sometimes riding pillion on motorbike-taxis, it took me several hours and a few astute short-cuts to be able to reach Chinatown just before the head of the Rally turned the corner into Yaowarat, by which time the Reds had probably covered over 50 kilometres.
What started as a carnival, with car-horns, loud music, dancing and singing had turned into something with all the characteristics of a ticker-tape celebration by the end of the day. Those local residents who support the aims of the pro-Thaksin protesters had come out onto the street to lend their voices to the call for Parliament to be dissolved. From the pavement sidelines they showered the protesters with shouts of encouragement and gifts of food and water. In the afternoon, a Government spokesman announced that representatives of Prime Minister Abhisit would agree to meet and talk with protest leaders. This news filtered through the rally, buoying the mood and boosting the volume of the singing. In Chinatown, after driving through the city centre for over six hours, the rally had the atmosphere of a victory parade and, to those who support them at least, the participants had become conquering heroes.
Red Shirts took over all lanes of the major roads into the city
The red line stretched as far into the city as the eye could see
Supporters lined the route, adding their support with flags, banners and encouraging chants
Every form of transport was pressed into service
Had it been advertised as a carnival procession, there would have been little difference in mood
Red Shirts support ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who made a surprise appearance in this UDD vehicle
Traffic police were given roses and plastic clappers by the protesters. “Hearts and Guns”, a potential sub-title for the current turmoil
In Chinatown, the Red Shirts were in jubilant mood
Restaurant staff take to the streets to offer their encouragement
A soldier keeps a vigilant eye on the protest rally
A workman takes a tentative look onto the street as protesters pass by
One protester wears a red shirt bearing the image of Thaksin Shinawatra whilst another waves a red flag beneath the Chinatown entrance gate
With talks promised, the red shirts might be forgiven for seeing today’s rally as a step towards some kind of victory
Again – love the shots.
The shots of “China Town” and the person peeking out of the green gate are just gorgeous.
Silly question, but how much longer is this suspected to go on? Is it getting bigger or smaller in your opinion – I know what I’ve read but I’d like to get your opinion.
Brian
Your comment on the gridlocked traffic brought a wry smile..
I’ve been following your daily reportage and am very impressed – quality reportage. I got caught in the tide of red shirt traffic yesterday and have to express some sympathy for the reds shirts and the plight of this severely divided country. That said, the blood incident of earlier in the week was abhorrent.
There were many tired looking supporters out there last night and with talk of the ‘campaign’ money running low, how long I wonder will this now go on.
How about the government takes Taksin’s confiscated billions and pumps it directly into projects in the North East? Not very likely.
I’ve not heard anything today. Praying it stays peaceful.
David
David, thanks. I”d echo your last sentence and hope it remains peaceful.
Brian, it’s impossible to say how long it will last. The only entirely predictable thing about this situation is that it’s completely unpredictable. It may end tomorrow, it may go on for a month. We sit, wait and keep our fingers crossed that the carnival atmosphere will prevail.
Cheers!
That’s very much what I suspected. If only all protests were like this one, right?
Again, thanks for the reply – if this goes on a whole lot longer, I might end up in your neck of the woods.
Brian
One thing that keeps surprising me each time I see your images of this protest is how clean + tidy everything is. It’s rather shocking, considering the number of people involved. If that kind of gathering of people happened here, the streets would be buried with trash. I know this is entirely not the point, but it says a lot about the people involved.
[...] In my blog post a few days ago I mentioned panning and linked you to a great article written by Gavin Gough explaing the technique. Well, Gavin’s living in Thailand these days and that puts him in a perfect position to bring you the best photos you’ll find anywhere of the current Red Shirts protests. Forget your usual sources and get right in amongst what’s happening here. [...]
Great images Gavin! Shows a smiling and peaceful protest. Hoping it stays that way and don’t mind the continuing as long as they like as long at it stays at this level.
Great photos, thanks for sharing!
Nice work. How many Red Shirts can fit into a tuk-tuk?
Great images and reporting, Gavin! One gets an excellent feel of the atmosphere, as well as the mood and concerns of those not directly involved in the protest. Love the image of the workman looking cautiously around the green door. We all pray that things will remain peaceful without bloodshed or other lasting traumas.
From your images, Erin seems right about the cleanliness of the streets etc. However, these days, the British streets and countryside are permanently trashed and in those terms we must now be the filthiest nation in the world.