When Bangkok burned…
On May 9th, Only four days after my last exam, I flew to Bangkok to begin my UNESCAP internship. I stayed with my Dad and Grandfather. During my first week in Bangkok I closely monitored the situation, following the international news coverage and the English version of the Bangkok Post and The Nation. As the situation worsened, all UN staff (including us – their army of interns) were ordered to leave the office early, in order to avoid getting stuck in traffic after sunset. The situation in the downtown area of Ratchaprasong got increasingly worse everyday and by the minute new rumours circulated about an imminent military crack down on the Red Shirts.
The following weekend, I received word that we were no longer allowed to go into the office. On Wednesday 19th May, the day of the crack down arrived. I was in a coffee shop on Khao San Road, glued to my laptop and refreshing the news websites by the minute to follow the operation in almost real-time. As the operation proceeded, arsonists lit several buildings on fire and it seemed as though the conflicts had spread beyond the red zone.
The government announced a curfew, so everybody had to be home by 8 p.m. It was after this announcement that we decided to make our way home. At no point in time, had I felt in immediate danger or threatened. However, when I saw the normally bustling and tourist-packed Khao San Road almost deserted, with all street vendors packing up and people stocking up on food and water supplies, I got nervous.
We reached home safe and sound and after constantly reading the news for most of the day, I went to bed with hope for better news the next morning.
In total, almost 90 people lost their lives. Downtown Bangkok was burning and the country has been left in a state of shock as the most violent clashes in recent Thai history took place.
As the situation currently stands, Prime Minister Abhisit is trying to progress his road map for reconciliation. Hopefully the Thai government will be wise enough to close the wide rift in Thailand, as some of the fragmented Red Shirt demands for more social equality are valid and cannot be left unaddressed.
The people of Bangkok, while still mourning the tragic events, have resumed their daily lives and are moving on. Personally I have to say, my experience through this entire ordeal was the power and influence of the media – as at some point I was not sure what I was supposed to believe anymore.
- First hand account by Fabian Suwanprateep (LKYSPP MPP 2009/10, SIPA MIA 2010/11)
