Bangkok, April 15, 2009, After the Reds Had Left

by Kanda P.

The unrest ended peacefully, thanks to the government. In addition, we got two unexpected extra holidays to celebrate what we had missed for Songkran.   On the morning of April 15, 2009, we went downtown to see how fast Bangkok recovered from the "shock".   All pics were taken from inside our car mostly by me, who can never have a good control of any cameras.

(Place your mouse on the pics to enlarge them.)

We drove on the roads where the soldiers had marched with their guns and shields to disperse the angry protesters.   We saw the wooden houses where the mobs had confronted the outraged locals.


We did not expect to see any remnants of burned buses but we did see dark patches on the roads where the mob had burned the buses with the intention of blocking the roads.



Painting and cleaning were carried out right after the government regained the control.





Nevertheless, I hope the soldiers can return to where they are supposed to be before we get used to constantly seeing them around in the city center!

Around Victory Monument where the Reds had gathered.























This one belonged to the police.



It was good to see them relaxed, not tensed.
These were taken near Sapan Khao and UN building (United Nations Conference Centre ).















The square in front of Ananda Samakhom Hall was empty.
It had been very crowded with angry people and tensed soldiers.





Almost all the soldiers and policemen on the streets that we saw were in a relaxed mood.







This pic was taken outside Khao Din Zoo ( "Dusit Zoo").



This belonged to the Police.   Not seen often in peaceful time!
The dark color of the vehicle looked a bit too awesome.


We followed the truck for a while.



On the way to Sanam Luang.
It looked normal...
We have free buses in Bangkok.   I myself have never tried these yet.


Democracy Monument.



I was so glad to see things back to normal and that people were able to enjoy Songkran regardless of what had happened.















We passed by Poo Kao Thong ("Golden Mountain", or Wat Saket ).



And we saw lots of tourists both the Thais and the foreigners at Wat Phra Kaew, or the Emerald Temple.



For your info, the UFO thing in the sky was of course not a UFO.
Our car was splashed with water + talc.   You know, Songkran!










We saw them at the entrance to Khao san road, too.
In the evening we saw TONS of people splashing water on Silom Road and many other places, but we did not take any pictures.


And funny thing is, no one wore red.

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