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One thing I believe all of us can agree on is that Abhisit's government grossly underestimated what the Red Shirts would do. The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS: (for photos, see: http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008896 ) _____ ARMOUR, TROOPS ON STREETS; GUNFIRE IN SCUFFLE AFTER PM DECLARES EMERGENCY BANGKOK, April 12 - Armoured military vehicles and soldiers have been deployed at 50 key locations in the capital as anti-government protests turn more violent and spread into several areas of Bangkok following the prime minister’s imposition of a State of Emergency. Gunfire from unidentified sources was heard during a scuffle as the prime minister’s car left the Ministry of Interior Sunday afternoon. Television footage showed protesters smashing the prime minister's car with clubs, iron bars, rocks, flower pots and bottles forcing the driver to take evasive action in the compound as protesters blocked all entrances. The car's window was shattered. Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the military's presence is meant to restore order, after red-shirted anti-government protesters stormed into the ministry compound, and local television showed pictures of the mob armed with poles and paving slabs smashing a car they believed carried the prime minister. However, Niphon Prompan, the premier's secretary-general, was seriously hurt in the incident and being detained by the protesters, according to Supachai Jaisamut, interior ministry spokesman. Mr. Abhisit escaped unharmed and he later told reporters that he was safe but one of his security guards was nabbed by the protesters. When the prime minister departed the interior ministry, a driver in another car was seriously injured after being beaten by the protesters. He said he had not fired at the protesters but the gunshot was heard after the protesters tried to grab a gun from him. Another security officer was handcuffed by the protesters and was taken to the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) encampment at Government House. Mr. Abhisit urged the protester to release his man and allow him to seek treatment at hospital. The premier Sunday afternoon declared a State of Emergency in the capital and five neighbouring provinces. Effective immediately, the state of emergency is imposed in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya provinces because a group of people are inciting unrest. It will be implemented by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Mr. Abhisit said. He said the government deemed it necessary to declare the state of emergency before the situation worsen. Under the order, gatherings of more than five people are prohibited, the press is not allowed to present news reports which could incite worry among to the public. The order also allows the public to be evacuated from areas considered to be risky. - (TNA)

Believe me, it won't. Many of the boys are going home anyway for Songkran, but then they'll be right back. They can't make any money at home and none of the protests are taking place anywhere near the gay venues. In other words, as it stands now you have nothing to worry about. You might see military presence at the airport upon arrival, if they are deployed there when you come, but their purpose would be to make sure the airport remains open and accessible. They won't be there trying to frighten tourists. In Pattaya now, as I said, everything is perfectly normal. You wouldn't even know, now, that anything is going on unless you're watching it all on television or checking the news web sites. There really is no reason to even consider canceling travel plans now. I guarantee you, if there was anything to fear, I'd be on one of the first planes outta here.

Don't be so sure. I spoke to Geezer today and I think he said it best: "Thaksin will fight on as long as he has breath in his body." I believe that's exactly what he will do. The fact that it hasn't already been done is on my "I Don't Get It" list. The UDD television station was taken off the air earlier today, but one thing Thaksin still has is a telephone. It would be very difficult to prevent him from simply calling in to his supporters, have them hold their phones to a loudspeaker, and then he can say whatever he wants to say. From my interpretation of the latet news articles, that's what he is actually doing.

56 companies of soldiers have been deployed to help police protect key government offices and secure major intersections in Bangkok. They are moving into place and many have already moved into place. This is "breaking news," so I have no further details yet.

If anything, wouldn't "no smoking permitted" mean you are permitted not to smoke? After all, we wouldn't want anyone putting a gun to our heads and forcing us to light up against our will, now would we? But this little issue may prompt me to create a new list. I already have my "I Don't Get It" list. Now I'm think of starting a "Who the Hell Cares?" list.

You're perfectly safe coming to Pattaya and it was never unsafe to be here. Unless you were a guest at the Royal Cliff Hotel during the time of the siege, the worst that happened to anybody was getting caught up in traffic jams and inconvenienced. All the brouhaha here is over and everything is back to normal. The problems are now in Bangkok and that's where the problems are likely to stay. As for the rainy season, it will end when it ends. That's the best anyone can tell you. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Usually when it rains, we get a heavy rain for about 45 minutes or so. An hour later, you wouldn't even know it had rained at all.

In one of the most incredible showdowns in recent history, Abhisit vs Thaksin, both sides are escalating their tactics. Less than 30 minutes prior to this post, Thaksin called in again to incite the protesters to ratchet things up. Another little question I have is whatever happened to the Yellow Shirts? Just a few months ago they were so vocal and militant. Now I not only no longer see people wearing yellow shirts, but I haven't seen a word of comment published from any of their leaders. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Thaksin Makes Phone-in, Calling More to Join Rallies Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a phone-in to the rally at the Government House at 6:30 pm, calling more people to join anti-government rallies in Bangkok. He said it was the "golden time" now for the protesters to rise up against the government after soldiers were deployed to Bangkok streets. He said it was now time for the people's revolution and he was ready to move into Thailand to lead the people's uprising.

I ended up not going after all. I couldn't afford the coke . . .

Rest assured there will be no flames on this board. If anyone tries that, they'll be gone quickly. You are entitled to express your opinion without getting flamed for it and so is everyone else. Also, you ask a legitimate question: "What would you guys do if you were in Abhisit's place?"

Apparently the Prime Minister and Thai government are all through taking a soft approach to the political uprising. Things could happen quickly now and it could easily become bloody. The following is an analysis by a Thai journalist. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Round Three: Nation on the Brink By Tulsathit Taptim The political showdown has reached the point where everyone can only pray and nobody dares to predict the outcome. Thaksin Shinawatra says he wants to "conclude" it during, if not before, Songkran. Abhisit Vejjajiva says everything will return to normal after Songkran. What will this dangerous common ground of the two men who have become arch-rivals lead us to is anyone's guess. One day after the whole of Thailand is the ultimate loser, the nation is staring at one of the most monumentous political showdowns in modern history. And interestingly, both warring parties are up against the ropes. Thaksin and the red-shirted movement have gambled with everything they had, alienating themselves from non-partisan Thais with the kind of aggession that has put the already weak Thai economy in jeopardy and further threatened frabics of nationhood. Abhisit, on the other hand, has cornered himself with the Mr Nice Guy approach and the only way to shore up his wavering legitimacy is to act tough. Thaksin has nothing to lose, albeit except Bt76 billion which may be the final answer to the question "Why?". Abhisit has everything to lose and some values to protect. The prime minister was said to have lashed out at the police, military and government kingmaker Suthep Thaugsuban after the Pattaya debacle which is costing much more than just his face. The turmoil that caused the cancellation of the Asean summit with dialogue partners, however, has eaten into public sympathy for the red shirts as much as Abhisit's leadership. Declaration of state of emergency in Bangkok and its suburbs was Abhisit's only choice. If it wasn't his last throw of the dice, it was something very close. A failed state of emergency like the one declared by the ill-fated government of Samak Sundaravej last year could doom Abhisit's reign. But a bloodshed as a result of the state of emergency could also generate political repercussions that are as bad, if not worse. And Abhisit's state of emergency will be enforced against a backdrop of doubtful loyalty from the police and, to a lesser extent, the military. Conspiracy theorists are seeing an increasingly isolated prime minister after what should have been a high-alert security routine in Pattaya provided a non-existent barricade allowing protesters to sleepwalk to the summit hotel in great numbers. Other analysts, however, simply view the outbreak of red-shirted aggression as a result of a too-cautious approach of authorities too fearful of things getting out of control. It will become evident very soon whether Abhisit is acting tough when it's too late. If they had failed in Pattaya on Saturday, the red-shirted protesters could have been tamed or calm today. But now that they have been buoyed by the Pattaya "victory", the movement will naturally be more difficult to contain. One thing remains unchanged for Thaksin. A crumbled government, or a House dissolution, or a large-scale bloody riot, or even a coup, will not be enough to bring him home, let alone restore him politically. This is a war just for the man to get even, or at best some leverage to push for return of the frozen Bt76 billion. So, it's fast becoming a war between enemies whose only way to go is forward. One side is very desperate, while the other has been jolted into a near panic mode. This is the kind of situation where no pundit dares predicting the immediate result, let alone a long-term one.

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Government Ready to Take Severe Action on Protesters : PM Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on TV at 5.20 pm Sunday that the public should be panic with the chaos caused by red shirted protesters and his authorities were now ready to suppress protesters. He urged the public to remain calm during the operations. His announcement came shortly after some 1,000 police armed with full gear including tear gas were heading to the Government House reportedly to crack down on the red shirted protesters rallied. Abhisit has declared state of emergency in Bangkok and five other provinces on Sunday afternoon after lifting the laws in Pattaya and Chon Buri on Saturday. The protesters have instigated chaos in the city on Sunday including road blockings and seizing armoured vehicles and buses.

I think you answer your own question here. I see what the Red Shirts are doing as something that will ultimately backfire on them for precisely the reason you state yourself. I think they are going to set the Thai economy on a much deeper downward spiral, if they haven't already done so, and their methods are going to result in cutting off their own nose to spite their face. My "I Don't Get It" list includes a simple question. If the Prime Minister and government really do resign, then who's in charge? Alexander Haig? The Red Shirts want new elections since the current Prime Minister was not elected by the general populace, but exactly how will that be accomplished if there is no legitimate government at all? With so many calls for Abhisit to step down, if he does, then who takes his place and who administers a new round of elections?

It's always a great pleasure to have one's intelligence insulted. Thank you, Embassy. Actually, it isn't necessary to tell us the absolutely obvious. The incredibly obvious will do.

In a nutshell, Arisamun, the Red Shirt leader of the invasion of the Royal Cliff Hotel in Pattaya, has been arrested, which has triggered off rioting and more road blocking in Bangkok on the part of the Red Shirts at both the Interior Ministry and the courthouse at which Arisamun was taken for arraignment. The Prime Minister is caught between a rock and a hard place. While he wants to avoid having to let loose the dogs on his own people, he also can't let mobs run amok and do anything they please, anywhere they please. Of course, none of us have any idea how much longer all this is going to go on, but it seems as if the fuse has been lit and at any given moment the real explosion can come. In my opinion, the Red Shirts are making a big mistake by this method of protest. They are demanding everything they want right now, and if they don't get what they want, without even negotiation, then they're prepared to virtually shut down entire cities in their effort to force the outcome their way. I think it's all going to backfire on them in the end, but we'll just have to wait and see. What astounds me just as much is that so far I have neither seen nor heard about any kinds of warnings at all issued by any of the foreign embassies. While Pattaya is completely back to normal now (unless you're an employee at the Royal Cliff), Bangkok is once again in turmoil.

I hope I'm wrong and I hope the baht will take a nose dive, but based on past history I'm not expecting much movement at all.

I can. Don't forget, the last military coup came about for the purpose of ousting Thaksin. What reason would the military have for a reversal and bringing back a triumphant Thaksin? I believe a coup will not occur unless the Red Shirts continue dramatic demonstrations, such as Pattaya, to the point that the military decides that the whole country will go under unless something drastic is done. I also believe a military government would never allow a situation to develop that would allow Thaksin to return under any circumstance except his arrest. I think the military views Thaksin in the same manner by which the Burmese government views Suu Kyi. Unless there has been a radical change, I can't imagine the military supporting Thaksin. I think if they did, then there already would have been a coup.

Obviously everybody, including you, knows exactly what it means. You wish to nitpick about it. Go right ahead, but I have an idea that the majority of people reading this are thinking the same thing I am, which is: Who the hell cares?

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PM: Reds 'Public Enemies' By Political Desk The Nation on Sunday Published on April 12, 2009 Coup Rumoured as Police and Army Hang Back Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last night called the red-shirts "public enemies" for declaring a victory over the cancellation of the Asean Summit with dialogue partners in Pattaya. "In this loss to the country, anyone or any group of people that announces a victory should be regarded as true enemies of Thailand. Whatever status I have, I will never allow these people to become influential," he told a press conference at the summit venue. Abhisit canceled the event and postponed it indefinitely after several hundreds of protesters managed to storm past police and military barricades into the venue at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort. Rumours of a possible coup or House dissolution were spreading last night as it appeared the government had lacked cooperation from police and military in preventing the protesters from entering the summit venue's compound. A source in the government said last night that an important decision would be made within 48 hours about what to do next. Abhisit also announced the lifting of a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chonburi that he had declared less than six hours earlier in the early afternoon. "The state of emergency announced earlier was aimed at providing security for the participating leaders to ensure their safe departure. Now that that task has been completed and there is no further need, the government has decided to lift it," the prime minister said. He said the government would now focus on restoring peace in the country and he would discuss with the relevant state agencies how to attain that goal. The premier also apologised to the public for the summit cancellation. He said he had talked to all the leaders before their departure, except for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who had not yet arrived in Thailand, and that they had expressed their sympathy and understanding over the incident. Most of the red-shirts who had protested in Pattaya left for Bangkok after the state of emergency was announced in the afternoon. Leaders of the red-shirts earlier yesterday declared victory at their protest site outside Government House. They called on red-shirt sympathisers all over the country to protest at provincial halls and asked for volunteers to surround the prime minister's house in the Sukhumvit area. Protest leader Jatuporn Promphan said they would ask Abhisit to order government supporters not to assault them. He was referring to clashes between the red-shirts and blue- and black-shirts who tried to prevent the protesters from entering the Pattaya summit venue. The Interior Ministry reported yesterday that protests by red-shirts had taken place in 29 provinces involving more than 6,800 people. The protests occurred mostly at provincial halls or public parks in the North and Northeast. In a related development, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra last night denounced the "use of force" by the red-shirts, many of whom are his supporters. In a video-link speech broadcast to the protesters gathered outside Government House, Thaksin called on his supporters to continue with the "fight for true democracy". ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Thaksin Calls, Eggs-on Protesters Published: April 12, 2009 at 12:23 AM Fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra called by telephone to around 15,000 supporters still camped out at Government House on Saturday night. "I thank the Red Shirts in Pattaya who showed strength," he told the crowd. "In the next few days we will see real change. Red Shirts in Bangkok and elsewhere must now act immediately so that we can change our country." The next move of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is not known, after they clogged Bangkok streets on Thursday and forced cancellation of the Asean summit in Pattaya on Saturday. Pattaya was reported back to normal on Saturday evening, as the anti-government protesters left for home or the Bangkok demonstration. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, meanwhile, made a surprise return to the summit venue at Jomtien late on Saturday, still protected by dozens of soldiers. He announced the lifting of a six-hour state of emergency, and also apologised. "We apologise to the Thai people that this incident happened," he told the media. "Even though the government was not responsible, it is its duty to ensure the meeting runs smoothly. __________ And this: _____ Asian Neighbours Express Sympathy to the Government Published: April 12, 2009 at 12:37 AM UN chief Ban Ki-moon Saturday led expressions of regret over the shock cancellation of an Asian summit but both Asean and Asian neighbours were sympathetic. "I deeply regret the postponement of the Asean and related summits and the consequent postponement of my attendance to the events," Ban said in a statement from neighbouring Laos, where he was on a short visit. "I hope for an early restoration of normalcy in Thailand and for the settlement of differences through dialogue and peaceful means," said Ban, who had been due to attend the talks Sunday. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was forced to cancel the meeting of leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the turmoil was a "domestic issue" and supported Thailand's continued chairmanship of Asean. "We should give them a chance," he told reporters, adding however that the Thai government should also give an assurance that Saturday's events will not be repeated. "The risk is the same for all of us, not just for me. I'm sure that in the next summit they will take into account the experience of this summit in Pattaya and preparations will be made accordingly." Najib added: "It does not affect our spirit in Asean, which is still strong for us to continue to cooperate." He said he managed to squeeze in a bilateral meeting with Abhisit but after that he went back to his room and was told to wait while Thailand decided on whether to proceed with the summit. Philippine Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo said the summit had been postponed until further notice, adding: "This is the suggestion of the (Thai) prime minister and we all agreed." Asked whether he wanted to go home - Philippine President Gloria Arroyo was among those airlifted by chopper - he added: "Let us all enjoy Pattaya first." A spokesman for Indonesian leader Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the president was "in high spirits" despite having to turn around for home shortly after arriving at a military airbase near Pattaya. "He's leaving it all to the judgement of the Thai government on how to proceed," he added. (AFP)

Funny you should say that. Rumors of a possible coup are already circulating.

Never fear. I know just the right guy:

From what I understand, now that the state of emergency has been lifted, now that the Red Shirts have left Pattaya, and now that all the foreign ASEAN delegates are safely on their way back home, traffic in Pattaya has returned to normal (which still is a mess anyhow) . . .

The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Emergency Laws in Pattaya Llifted : PM Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government decided to lift the emergency law in Pattaya after all leaders of the Asean Summit left the country safely. The decision came after the law is imposed six hours ago after the red shirted protesters broke into the press hall of the Asean Summit in Pattaya. Speaking in a press conference at the press centre in Pattaya at about 7.15pm. The laws were imposed 1.30pm.

Your tastes, then, are a little different from mine. You would go to a brunch like this and order a coke?

For more special reports and photos see: http://www.pattayaone.net/news -and- http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008883 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Dramatic Evacuation Ends Chaotic Asean Summit By: AFP Pattaya - Thundering low over the beach, helicopters airlifted bewildered foreign leaders in extraordinary scenes after red-shirts swarmed the luxury hotel venue. Thousands of supporters loyal to fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra barged past lines of soldiers and riot police, smashing their way through the glass doors of the upscale hotel hosting the Asean talks. Hooting horns and yelling slogans, they streamed into the building and through the media centre, astonishing dozens of journalists as they rampaged towards an adjacent building where leaders were holding a luncheon. Hotel staff quickly cleared the restaurants and hustled bikini-clad tourists out of the pool as the protesters staged a sit-in rally at the heart of the summit, blocked by security forces with flak jackets and shotguns. "The commotion made us nervous," said one shaken hotel worker, a young waitress named Sureerat. Embattled premier Abhisit Vejjajiva quickly appeared on live television, telling the divided nation that the summit of 16 Asian nations was cancelled because of the protesters, who are demanding his resignation. In a dramatic move, he called a state of emergency for Pattaya -- one of Thailand's top tourist destinations -- and the surrounding province to assist the immediate evacuation of the visiting heads of state. "The government has a duty to take care of the leaders who will depart from Thailand," Mr Abhisit said in the address, which went out on all channels. "In this extremely serious situation, the government has decided to impose a state of emergency in Pattaya and Chonburi to deal with the situation." Within minutes, the deafening noise of the protesters, which had echoed through the halls of the venue, was replaced by the thumping of the helicopter blades as the aircraft swooped onto the hotel's rooftop. Mr Abhisit - the number-one target of the demonstrators - was the first to fly out of town, whisked away to the Vietnam War-era U-Tapao military airfield near Pattaya. The leaders of the Philippines, Myanmar and Vietnam followed by choppers to the airstrip, where planes were on standby to take them home. Other leaders left by road but all were evacuated within hours of the ruckus. A Southeast Asian diplomat said visiting dignitaries were not perturbed about the "captain of the ship" leaving first. "Abhisit was the target of the protesters and if he remained here, the other leaders would have been endangered," he said. Left behind were shell-shocked delegates and media, who stood amidst the debris including toppled metal detectors, smashed reception tables and small pools of blood where some protesters had been injured by broken glass. At a Japanese restaurant overlooking the poolside, hotel staff locked the glass doors but opened them briefly to allow in stranded guests as well as police shuttling in and out of the hotel. However, a group of foreign diplomats' wives nonchalantly finished their sushi lunch. "We are used to these demonstrations here," said Janet Rodriguez, wife of the Filipino ambassador to Thailand, while observing that the invasion of the summit venue "is not a sign of strength" for the host nation. Luggage was strewn all over the lobby of the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, as delegates checked out en masse. "We have to pull out now," said the aide of one Southeast Asian leader, barking orders from a hand-held radio as his 50-member delegation prepared to travel to the nearby airbase. "Thailand should not have allowed this to happen. How could they have allowed the protesters to go this far? They should have blocked them before they reached here," he said. ____________________ And this: _____ Tourism Severely Hit by UDD The tourism sector has expressed concern over actions of the red-shirt movement, warning that tourism revenue this year could plummet at least 30 percent. The government's decision to enforce the Emergency Decree in Pattaya and Chon Buri would have a serious effect on the industry, Tourism Council of Thailand president Kongkrit Hirunkit said on Saturday. Leaders from 15 Asian countries came to Thailand to attend the Asean Summit and related summits. Foreign tourists might take the view the government could not guarantee their safety if it could not prevent the protesters breaking into the summit venue. He said the activities by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters were as bad as the actions of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters. The PAD yellow-shirt protesters occupied Suvarnabhumi airport late last year and it would take six to nine months for local tourism to recover, he said. The tourism sector, which generated about 540 billion baht annually, may lose up to 200 billion baht this year because of the red-shirt anti-government movement. More than two million people working in the tourism industry would be affected. Thai Hotels Association chairman Prakit Chinamourphong said the UDD protest was no different than the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport by the PAD last year. It would definitely hit the tourism sector significantly, and holding tourism roadshows now would be pointless because people in other countries may already have lost confidence in Thailand . Mr Prakit condemned the red-shirt movement, saying it was terrible because it damaged the whole country just to benefit one person. Association of Thai Travel Agents chairman Apichart Sankary criticised the government for failing to maintain order and security during the regional meetings. The government should not hope to host major international events again, he said.

Here is a commentary that appears in THE NATION: _____ COMMENTARY Round Two: Everyone Loses By Tulsathit Taptim Published on April 11, 2009 Even though Thaksin Shinawatra may be laughing, there is no winner after the Pattaya infamy. Pattaya will lose billions of baht. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has lost his face, and his job is under greater threat. To other Thais, Songkran has been pretty much spoiled. Thailand's image as a whole has taken a new hit. Economically struggling Asean has to defer discussing some crucial plans. The red-shirted movement, while having achieved a key objective of preventing the Asean summit with dialogue partners, can't be content with the glaring truth that, like its rival People's Alliance for Democracy, it has become its own worst enemy. And Thaksin Shinawatra will only get brief satisfaction from the turmoil in Pattaya that led to the cancellation of the summit and declaration of state of emergency which leaves everything hanging in the balance. He will be cheering a "triumph" of his supporters in the next address through video link, but deep down he must know that he is not fighting to win, that to get even is the best he can get. He has been way past of the point of no-return, and what happened in Pattaya on Saturday only serves to lengthen the distance between the man and his motherland. The biggest loss, however, belongs to us, no matter what colours of the shirts we are wearing. The political divide was not about to be bridged any time soon, but the Pattaya incident has further dimmed the fragile hope. We had wanted things to improve, but now we would be glad if they don't get any worse. It's been an-eye-for-an-eye showdown. You can seize Government House, so we can block city traffic. You can take over the airport, so we can torpedo an international summit. You fight for democracy that rejects corrupt polticians, we can fight for democracy that respects the voices of the poor. A common sense of national values has been a long-time victim, who was beaten to near death on Saturday. The nation has lost its way for some time, and the Pattaya infamy ensures there will remain no light at the end of the tunnel in the foreseeable future. The vulnerable national harmony has been dealt a new blow, and the threat to nationhood has never looked more real. Those involved in the years-long power struggle have done their best to make sure that politics affects everyone's life. Too bad the general Thais have only been feeling the negative effects of a war that those responsible insisted was for a greater good. We have come to learn that perhaps people go into war not because they are different. Maybe what has been happening was caused by the fact that we are all too much alike.