absolutelyBangkok archive · Photography
Originally published Nov. 13, 2008
Well, we wanted to meet Bangkok’s chief protesters Khun Sondhi & Chamlong to have a talk with them about Thailand’s future, about looming violence, campaign financing and Thaksin. But when we paid a visit to beleaguered Govt House, armed with laptop and camera, they were a no-show. “Sleeping,” said one guard. “Eating,” said a lady. “They’re somewhere,” said another lady. “They’ll be back.”
They better be, because without any of the PAD core leaders at Govt House the fortress appears all the more like an amicable luk thung event with speeches. Elderly women and men were dancing to Thai country music, but most of the PAD were indulging in the one same passion: sleeping. It’s not that easy to be an around-the-clock protester and listen to the same tunes again and again.
You must admire the hard core of the PAD for holding out months and months — without having achieved yet much, barring even deeper divisions within society and fears of new turmoil once the royal funeral is over. Mostly elderly women and men hold out at Govt House, in their cozy, impregnable fortress, eagerly clapping those plastic hands again and again.
Cozy though may be a slight palliation, as the PAD’s defense positions are basically mountains of car tires, twisted metal, endless lines of sand bags and empty plastic bottles — and quite some converted busses with no wheels. Even during bright sunny daylight the place got something eerie. At night it must be an ideal spot for halloween and some Bourne ambience.
Meanwhile Govt House compound itself has become a fascinating mixture of hi-tech installations, Thai country fair and an outright slum. As long as there’s no rain there are no foul smells. Haven’t seen any students, suits or plain “middle class,” but nice, jolly people — people Waiting for Godot?
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