From friend with a literal front seat view of protests in Bangkok, Thailand: No Police/Army In Sight

[Fred Sanders]

We are now in day 3 of the shutdown and attached are photos from the first day on Monday, 13 January.

These multi-location major intersection closures are very well organized and obviously well funded. Just down the road from the condo, it was quiet as could be late on Sunday night but early the next morning we woke to loudspeakers, many large buses and cars parked along the main road in front of the condo, giant tents/canopies erected in the middle of the road, very big stages, multiple huge video screens and huge crowds. People were setting up road barricades and putting up small two person tents everywhere. Everywhere had the same barricades and the same tents so these had to have been provided by the protest organizers. Food vendors all over as well as free food and water. Very large first aid station with many ambulances standing by. Selling 'Bangkok Shutdown 2013' items and souvenirs has become a big business on the street.

And not a policeman or soldier in sight.
________________

Remember Occupy and how shutting down one street in America for a few minutes resulted in massive police violence?

The Thailand government has repeatedly pledged to NEVER use violence against protesters, and have absolutely kept their word.

[Warpy]

1. It's a majority Buddhist country and that does make a difference.

Act brutally in this life and be acted upon by brutes in the next life or ten. There's nothing to engender empathy like a firm belief in reincarnation combined with Karma.

Yes, they do have brutal people there but it's not an officially sanctioned brutality. It can't be.