Anti-government protests in Bangkok have continued to escalate and, most recently, have resulted in grenade blasts in the capital city. The so-called “red shirt” anti-government protesters have been linked to the grenade blast that occurred outside the party headquarters of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Many of the protesters are calling for action from the government of Thailand. Most are supporters of the former Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a 2006 military coup. Current PM Abhisit Vejjajiva has offered to hold national elections in December, ahead of schedule, but the Red Shirts do not believe that is good enough.
They were quoted as stating “It is our constitutional right to protest and no one is afraid of this government anymore.” and that Vejjajiva came to power in 2008 illegitimately.
Bangkok has begun setting up roadblocks and has even put martial law into place to try to quell the protests but it does not yet appear to be working. Opposition leaders promised to attempt to civilize the protests but, so far, have taken no action.
Thailand is not the only nation with protester problems. Enter, Kyrgyzstan.
The past few days have been rocky in Kyrgyzstan. Protesters, upset over a 200% increase in utility costs took to the streets to oppose the government. After riots, and fatal clashes with state police, opposition leaders are now stating that they have taken over the Kyrgyzstan government.
The President of Kyrgyzstan appears to have fled the country. It is reported that at least 40 are dead.
Uruk
5 months ago
Don’t know what to say about this one. Was the US revolution like that?
Sometimes you’ve gotta set a car on fire to win freedom. But is that really what’s going on?
I wonder how many times people questions the US Revolution when it was happening.
the lion
5 months ago
That is a good point that I never considered, Uruk. Our own Revolution was a bloody one and I bet many questioned why we didn’t just leave well enough alone to spare the lives.
Sometimes there must be war and death. The fight for freedom and equality is not always peaceful. We live a secure life here in America. Yes, two wars and recent economic problems have made things a little harder but those born and raised here can never truly understand what it is like to live in such destitute areas. The poorest in America are still wealthy by some standards. They still have freedoms that others cannot dare to dream of.
This is why I can never be completely against war. Because if you are not willing to fight for freedom, someone out there will be willing to take it away from you.
Uruk
4 months ago
“This is why I can never be completely against war. Because if you are not willing to fight for freedom, someone out there will be willing to take it away from you.”
Your point is awesomely stated and enlightening, too.
We have most of the freedoms that a free nation should have. We’ve got little, if anything, to take up arms about. But for a lot of places, a revolution is long overdue.
the lion
4 months ago
Uruk, I agree. We have the rights we need and most we could want. The rights we lack can be instated without warfare. However, this is not true in many nations.
Even here, we need to be willing to fight should someone attempt to take our rights away. Not necessarily in warfare, because we can accomplish the same results peacefully via voting and our judicial system.