Happy St. Patrick's Day-Green Day & Red Shirts

In many Christian areas of the world, St. Patrick's Day is being observed today. In Thailand about 97 percent of the population is Buddhist so there is not much green beer around today.

Because I'm an invited guest here in Thailand I try to say pretty low key about the politics.

Now, Green and Red are complimentary colors so let me write a little about the "Red Shirts". They are demonstrating in Bangkok, almost 400 miles south of us in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai.

I am sure you have seen the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) commonly called the "Red Shirts" as they usually ware red shirts.

They seem to have three goals: dissolve parliament, return the 1997 Constitution and keep the Privy Council out of politics.

No, that is not me in the center with the sun glasses!

He is just one of the estimated 100,000 demonstrators.

So far it has been pretty peaceful but they have thrown some of their own blood. To read more on Forbes.com just CLICK HERE.

I have learned something else about Thai politics. About 60 percent of the Thai population are farmers. The farmer believe is is a privilege and a duty to vote. On election day, they go vote. Then they go back to work in the rice patties or the tea and coffee plantations.

Who ever they vote for win the elections. Now the 40 percent that live in the cities don't like that so they demonstrate and hurt the Thai economy. The elected officials then resign to let the process go forward.

They have another elections and the farmers elect who they want, again. The folks in the cities don't like that so they demonstrate and the process goes on and on.............

Personally, we think it weakens the Thai economy. To us that means we can buy more Thai money (Baht) with United States Dollars.

We're not judging, we're just saying!

RED Shirts & YELLOW Shirts

First, I want to state that I try not to get political as I am just an invited guest here in Thailand.

If you have watched or read the news over the last two years regarding Thailand I'm sure you have asked: What are those RED and YELLOW Shirts?"

I would like to spend a minute just to let folks know about the RED SHIRTS and the YELLOW SHIRTS.

The RED SHIRTS are the massage girls from the massage shop on Soi 13/2 closest to Beach Road just above the Post Office.

The YELLOW SHIRTS are the massage girls on the right side of the picture from the shop next door to the girls in the RED SHIRTS. It is the massage shop closest to 2nd Road here in Pattaya.

They both have the same goals: Better Economy and Enjoyable Life.

If you have any more questions about the RED SHIRTS or the YELLOW SHIRTS please let me know and I'll do more research. (I wonder it that research is tax deductible?)

04-10-09 Red Shirts (UDD)

Although I try not to get political, the Red Shirts, United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), are demonstrating here in Thailand.

Now, it is great to know that we are living in a country that allows freedom of speech and peaceful demonstrations.

As stated on UPI.com, the demonstrators are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 but ousted in a military coup in 2006. Thai newspaper The Nation reported Wednesday several thousand people surrounded the home of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, whom Thaksin accused of orchestrating the coup.

According to government officials, 10,000 police officers and military troops have been deployed in central Bangkok. Pattaya is also on high alert because the 14th Aesan Summit is starting today.

From the LA Times reports, Chanisa Rangtes, a 27-year-old receptionist, said the gathering of protesters in central Bangkok caused worse problems than the usual traffic jams and noise pollution.

"This isn't going to do any good for our society. People will get hurt and it will ruin our reputation, which is already getting bad. In the end we don't get anything," she said. "I'm not sure if it's even really about democracy."

After reading many newspaper articles and watching hours of television news channels I agree with Chanisa Rangtes.

As far as I am concerned, it is nice to be an American where you can just vote for someone else and change the present elected official that does not do what the majority wants.

The demonstrations by the UDD are hurting Thailand economically, too. Who want to come to Thailand with the news media showing unrest here.

I now have a RED SHIRT.

WHERE IS MY MONEY?

We are safe in northern Thailand and getting ready for the Thailand Holiday of Songkran (New Year).