What ….

Assorted random and unrelated thoughts from Simon Grigg.

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Just Whistlin’

24 December 2013
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I spent three or four hours taking photos of the protests last Sunday. There have been all sorts of absurd claims of millions of protesters but logic and the eyeball would indicate a crowd in the low to mid-hundreds of thousands. The claims bring to mind Hitler’s famed ‘big lie’ theory.

I walked between stages and took about 250 shots. These are some of them:
Ratchaprasong

Skywalk
On the Skywalk about Rama 1
Photos and selfies seemed to be a core activity, often more than protesting.

Whistle and lanyard seller

Outside the Louis Vuitton store - this was quite a different crowd to the 2010 protest. The high end stores were doing incredible business.
Outside the Louis Vuitton store – this was quite a different crowd to the 2010 protest. The high end stores were doing incredible business.

Lanyards and whistles Zen

The stage at Ratchaprasong. There were definitely far less here than the reds had in 2010 but it was still an impressive number
The stage at Ratchaprasong. There were definitely far less here than the reds had in 2010 but it was still an impressive number

Outside Gaysorn Plaza Ratchaprasong Get Out! Angry Ratchaprasong Outside Zen

What was noticeable was the number who could be termed "protest tourists". People who were there for the spectacle. There was none of that with the Reds.
What was noticeable was the number who could be termed “protest tourists”. People who were there for the spectacle.
Kids in the castle. It was quite the outing for some.
Kids in the castle

Central World Central World Central World

The only ugly spot I saw on the day - a smallish number of hoodlums getting pretty heavy outside Police HQ.
The only ugly spot I saw on the day – a smallish number of hoodlums getting pretty heavy outside Police HQ.
Rama 1 between Central World and Siam was about this busy all along.
Rama 1 between Central World and Siam

Sign

Looking down on the Skytrain station about 4.30pm
Looking down on the Skytrain station about 4.30pm
outside Paragon
Outside Paragon

Selfies Siam Siam

Where it got busier again, by the stage near the BACC
Where it got busier again, by the stage near the BACC

Bears

I'm guessing these guys were counted in the bizarre claims of 'millions' made by the organisers. 2-300,000 would be my estimate but who knows.
I’m guessing these guys were counted in the bizarre claims of ‘millions’ made by the organisers.

BACC Siam Discovery

Meanwhile a few metres away from the crowd, the Siam Festival was going on, with stages and DJs etc. You'd never have known that there was a protest, no matter the size, a close by.
Meanwhile a few metres away from the crowd, the Siam Festival was going on, with stages and DJs etc. You’d never have known that there was a protest, no matter the size, close by.

 

 

12 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Lindsay Eadon on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Thanks Simon your pics keep me informed

Simon Grigg on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Cheers Lindsay

Lindsay Eadon on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Your pics make more sensw than some of daisys english

Lindsay Eadon on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Oh and the nz show just played 4 songs by no tag from can we get away with it and have given audio culture website 2 plugs good stuff

Simon Grigg on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Thank you Lindsay. I hope you have a great Xmas!

Lindsay Eadon on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

Merry Christmas simon

Lindsay Eadon on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 05:12 PM

I am learning thailish he he

Paul Hetet on Facebook
December 24, 2013 at 06:12 PM

whistlin Dixie ?

Ann Orman on Facebook
December 25, 2013 at 02:12 AM

Great photos simon

Chris Waugh
December 25, 2013 at 07:12 AM

Great photos, Simon. They give a completely different picture of the protests than the mainstream media.

I’m curious, though, about the prevalence of English signs. Is that normal for Thailand? Trying to attract international attention? Trying to show how much more cultured and sophisticated they are than those dirty Yingluck supporters?

Merry Christmas!

Simon
December 25, 2013 at 08:12 AM

Thanks Chris. The signs are in English primarily I think because for many of the Thai middle class English is commonly used. In areas like ThongLor, Aree, Ekkamai (and others) in Bangkok you see more English signage than Thai and the menus etc are in English. These are not tourist areas at all, but Thai middle and upper class. Bangkok is very bi-lingual.

I’m not sure anyone particularly cares about international attention, although the thuggier elements seem a little upset at the fact the the foreign media have been less than sympathetic to Suthep’s cries for a ‘People’s Council’ headed by him. That said, I’d argue that most of those in the streets on Sunday are less than supportive of that too. They want Yingluck out of power but want her gone via the ballot box.

Simon Grigg on Facebook
December 25, 2013 at 10:12 AM

Thank you Ann, I appreciate that. Hope you are having a great day!

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