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Published: April 25th 2010
Its summer time in Thailand and it’s hot and humid (hovering around the 100 degree mark). School is out till the middle of May and we PCV’s are going on holiday! Yeah, I know what a lot of you are thinking….Lynda needs another vacation? Ahhhh, give me a break, it’s mentally fatiguing being a volunteer! My co-worker and closest Thai friend, Nitaya, came along to have the experience of traveling with Americans. So Pat, Janet, David (Janet’s visiting brother) Nitaya and I headed to Koh Chaang, an island on the eastern side of the Gulf of Thailand. Nitaya and I then headed to the mainland and stayed several days at a resort nestled in the mangroves. Five days were also spent in Bangkok taking care of business. Yes, we actually mixed business with pleasure. During the two weeks we were gone it seemed I always ended up carrying the ‘green bag’. Sometimes Nitaya did but most often then not I did and couldn’t understand why, after all it wasn’t mine. When we arrived home Thursday evening Nitaya helped put my stuff by the front door and took off quickly. It took only a minute to realize the ‘green bag’ was sitting
there too. I thought she had taken it out of the truck by mistake, I would return it to her in a few days. It was still sitting by the door when she stopped by yesterday, looked at it and said “that’s your bag right?” No, I said, it’s yours! We looked at each other and immediately cracked up…It belonged to neither one of us, yet we carried it for two weeks never saying a word to each other!!! We haven’t the foggiest notion of when or where it came from.
Seems most of the talk about Thailand right now is what’s with the demonstrations???? I wish I could use this forum to explain it all but I can’t for several reasons. First and foremost it is quite complex and the details go back some years and involve government figures. Secondly, there are too many groups involved, i.e., the red, yellow, pink shirts, royal police, army, etc.etc. Now they’re wearing neck scarf’s of different colors. I must admit it’s getting pretty colorful but unfortunately, violent too. Last week well over 800 people were injured with 25 deaths. A few days ago, there were several explosions with additional injuries. The
people with whom I am acquainted seem not to have taken sides and are frustrated and ashamed at what their country has become. The red shirts are mostly less educated, lower income, farming people who believe the government is ruled by corrupt elite. It seemed their cause was begun by the ousted prime minister who was also an elitist and corrupt! Go figure. Over the past several weeks momentum has come from within the group. The yellow shirts who are the educated and business people are now taking up a stance and arms to get rid of the red shirts so business can get back to normal. The pink and orange shirts just want to party.
I'm Thai-out so until next time, sawadee ka, Lynda
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rick
non-member comment
good read
Hi, You are my sister, right, yea, it has been so long since we talked that I forgot. God I have been up to my ass in alagators laterly. sorry I haven't had time to get on line and chat. Seriously busy since we are coming down to the end of our stay. Barely chated with Steve. Rainly season has come and it is way too early for our liking. almost every night. Trying to get a gate done and wrap things up with finances, taxes and apprasals. What a mess.. Missing you and will try to chat soon. Love ya