Nothing much happened overnight; there is a still a lot of tension in the city. Schools throughout the metropolitan area are closed for three days, even thought only about 40 schools in the centre of the city are affected. (“Equity” is the reason given.)
It is overcast and even as I type, the first big drops of rain are falling. The army commander insists “the door to a coup is locked”. Parliament must find a peaceful resolution.
A quasi-retraction: the “update” I gave yesterday was based on an AP report I received through Yahoo News. You may recall it announced the Election Commission’s unanimous ruling that the People Power Party should be dissolved. As the largest party in the governing coalition, that would have forced the government to be shut down and new elections called.
However, I have been unable to verify that news through any other source. There is no mention on Thai websites, in either Thai or English. Looking back a half-month I find a similar report on the website for The Nation, an English-language paper. That may have been a preliminary announcement or else the AP is late in its reporting. I’ll let you know how that plays out.
I have some non-protest related items to post but have a lot of work to do today. In fact, I was up at 3:00 am for calls with the US. If time allows, I’ll post later today or tomorrow.
christao408 
Thank for the updates. I recently had to leave Bangkok after 17 years to come back to the USA to care for my ill parents. My mother passed on in April and I had to resign my job in Bangkok and move out, back to the east coast.I always read your blog and enjoy stories about you new apartment, the pictures of your wonderful gourmet efforts, your friends, you partner Tawn, etc. etc. Lizformerly an old expat in the city of angels.
Yikes. I hope the commotion settles and a peaceful resolution results. It’s bizarre how the world is always in some sort of tumultuous chaos. Is there ever a day of peace when nothing goes wrong?
@khaodhom – How interesting, my co-worker did the opposite, she moved back to BKK to take care of her ill mother.
Chris, thank you for keeping us posted. I hope both parties will eventually arrive at agreeable terms.ryc: Oh, I would never know about this tidbit about their paws…that’s very cute indeed!!
@curry69curry – It seems to be what many of us, especially baby boomers, are having to do. Thankfully, I am close to retirement and my daughter just graduated from college. In my Alzheimer’s Online Support forum, many people are raising children and taking care of parents. It is tough but the right thing to do.Cheers!
whoa, i had no idea these things were going on. your blogs keep me informed and thanks!
Thanks for keeping us informed.
You write very good commentary. Did you take up journalism in high school, in college?
I never new what was going on in Thailand until you starte writing about it ( not much into world affairs though I do need to “plug in”) and since you have been writing about it I’ve become very interested in what’s going on.
Thanks for the updates!
I’ve been meaning to ask. Has this been affecting you directly?
@khaodhom – Fantastic to meet you (virtually!), Liz. My condolences on the loss of your mother.
I imagine that you have some wonderful experiences to share from your time living abroad and I know that the city has undergone some significant changes in that time. Hopefully, we can have the opportunity to converse outside the blog if you’re willing to share some of those stories and lessons learned with me.
Regards,
Chris
@kenpcho – I imagine there is never such as day as long as people are involved.
@choyshinglin – @babydot74 – You’re welcome. Not sure that I’m doing enough investigative journalism but am trying to make sense of the different sources of information and provide some context.
@ForceMeToThink – Thank you. Only one journalism class, for which you can credit Prof. John McManus at Santa Clara University in California.
@minhaners – Thanks for your concern. The political events here have had only one notable impact on us: fewer people out in the evenings, resulting in less traffic. I see it as a blessing!
@christao408 – Thank you for your condolences Chris. Yes, I have so many wonderful memories of my life in Thailand beginning when I was a kid fresh off Pan Am Flight #1 with a Peace Corps group in l967. I would love to share (and hopefully not bore you) with those life experiences off the blog. I followed your language learning and volunteer experience at the school closely. It reminded me of those early days! You are a much better student that I ever was!Hope to hear from you. My email is ricebowlsoup@mac.comLiz