Finally, a little excitement!

I spent my weekend on the beach of Pattaya...a pleasant, uneventful mini-holiday including lots of sand, sun, surf, eating and drinking!  Basically, your typical weekend beach get-away.

On a more exciting note, here is what's happening in my part of the world:

On Friday, Chitralada Palace Grounds (my place of work and residence of the Royal Family) were shut down along with the Grand Palace Grounds.  The People's Alliance for Democracy managed to break through a police force 10,000 strong to seize the Government House.

A little background:  There are two parties: PAD and People's Power Party.  PPP are currently ruling government.  The PAD have been protesting since December, with things coming to a head in the past month.  Two years ago, there was a coup in which the Prime Minister (Thaksin) stepped down.  In a nutshell, PAD believes the current government to be a puppet of Thaksin and want to see Parliament dissolved with new elections held.  There are also accusations of crooked politics, PAD opposing amendments to the Constitution and lots of other details.  Thankfully, the police/military have said they will not use violence.  Tomorrow (Monday) will be the debate in Senate, followed by the Prime Minister (Samak) answering charges by the opposition.

So as it stands, Government House is still under siege, although they are trying to avoid another coup like that of 2006.  Either way, my surprise long weekend is over and it looks like it will be back to work for me tomorrow :(   

On an entirely unrelated news note, a school in northern Thailand has opened a unisex bathroom geared especially toward its transvestite students.  Sweet victory for lady-boys across the countryside!

 

Peace,