I'm still alive

We have made it to the news again.

Tuesday night, I worked a bit late and thought I would go down the pub for a few drinks. I hopped on the Skytrain. When I got out, my sister rang me. I thought she wanted me to buy some food (at 10:30PM, it's possible for Thais). She told me she saw it on TV that Toxin had declared state of emergency, but she missed the entire announcement so didn't know what really was going on as all Thai TV channels were already taken off air. And she told me to come back to the apartment right away.

I was walking to the pub, so I thought I would pop in there for a cold one and tried to catch some news. Once in front of the pub, there were at least five people speaking on the phone there looking all serious. Sego the French was one of them.

She filled me in a bit. Just the bits that was broadcasted on CNN at the moment. So we went in and I went to watch CNN. It didn't look good, so I rang my Dad. He was watching the news, but everything was still confusing and he didn't know who was behind this. And he said shit would hit the fan, and told me to come home with my sister immediately. My sister didn't think it was a good idea, since we didn't know what was going on out there and it was late.

I rang to wake my Mum because I knew it passed her bedtime already.

Things didn't look really good. So, I just had one B52 that Sego got while I was on the phone with Dad. I still remember what Gen Suchinda did years ago. So, I decided to go back to the apartment. I stopped by at my office to get the phone charger and the new girl's CV. I might need her phone number.

In the cab, I texted Mark and a couple of friends about this so they could catch up on the news. Mark rang me back right away and asked me what was happening. I told him to watch CNN and BBC World, because at that stage, I didn't know much either.

Back in the apartment, I tried to catch up with news with my sister. We could watch CNN and BBC World there. We tended to stick with BBC World, because CNN were focusing on the UN General Assembly.

A while later, Mark texted me to see if I was still up. And he rang asking me what was happening. He couldn't get any international news there. I thought it was weird, but didn't think anything much because I still could watch BBC World. After watching CNN, BBC World, and Channel NewsAsia, I gathered that - the Military had planned to take Toxin down, Toxin had been aware of this so he had made the first move and dismissed Gen Sonthi and declared state of emergency. The Military and Police force who were loyal to Gen Sonthi, along with the Gen himself, then fought back and took control of Bangkok. Tanks, soldiers, humvees were around the Government House and major Government buildings.

The bits of the Military who were loyal to Toxin had stayed outside of Bangkok. It was reported that they were actually ready to march into Bangkok on Tuesday night, but didn't.

So, anyway, I filled Mark in as much as possible. And when there was a new announcement in Thai, he would ask me to translate it to him.

After he hung up, my sister woke up to watch the news on BBC World again. Then, I mentioned it to her that Mark couldn't see any news there. So, we checked our CNN. Oh, it was off the air too! Then, we realised, CNN in our apartment was from UBC (Bangkok cable TV), but BBC World wasn't!

Thank God for illegal satellite dish.

So, we had BBC World and Channel NewsAsia as our sources - who knew bugger all also.

I fell asleep and woke up a few hours later. Apparently, Toxin was no longer the PM. The Military coup declared Wednesday as a national holiday. Things were still confusing. So, I decided to shut the office today.

My sister and I stayed in the apartment to watch the news and made sure it's safe outside. Well, okay okay, I took another nap!

And we decided to come home.

Dad was worried sick about us last night. So, I wanted to come home and be with my family.

On the way home, we drove from Langsuan (very very in town) - no soldiers, to New Petchburi Road - still no soldiers, to Ratchadapisek Road - still no soldiers, to Prachachuen Road - soldiers with guns. We stopped at Muang Thong Thani so I could buy some food. Dad was sleeping so I thought I could feed him for once.

After Muang Thong Thani, we used a small road along a RID canal to avoid main roads. And more soldiers with guns.

When we were just 2 minutes away from the house, there was a humvee strolling along that road also. With more soldiers being stationed in the area. People were friendly with the soldiers though.

A real fuckin' humvee.

I will take a picture with it if I see them in the morning.

Anyway.....

It may appear shit to the West. But you know what, as a Thai, I'm glad Toxin is ousted. Everything works in its own way in Thailand. I'm not saying it's right. But it is just how it is.

The PAD rally had been scheduled for today. Can you imagine a shit load of Pro-Toxin and Anti-Toxin in the same place and in the same time?

Not too many of them fought before at the Siam Paragon, for crying out loud. If the Military hadn't done anything, there would have been blood in Bangkok today.

If the coup makers remain bloodless the entire process, kudos to them.

Now that Toxin and his family are waltzing around in London with their fortune... bloody poor sods.

Oh... right. Rumour has it that his only son is not with the family in England. I heard more than that. But I'm not going to say it just yet.