Well, despite concerns expressed in American Embassy warden messages that “protests can escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers’ personal safety” the Bangkok Post reported that the olympic torch run went pretty smoothly ^[1]. (Though if lack of big problems is newsworthy I might be concerned) Some pro-Tibet protesters showed up, and some pro-China protesters harassed them (something I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around). Normally I adore the generally laid-back attitude of life here but this quote from Jon Ungphakorn, a former senator working on social development issues, might take that laid-back-ness a little too far:

“We hope that the Chinese government will reconsider its actions and the way they treat Tibetans. It is nothing big, but it is necessary.”

(From the Bangkok Post article.)

He sounds like he’s asking for a spot of cream to go with his coffee. Oh it’s nothing big, whenever you’ve got a minute.

Tibet aside, I’d guess that Thai people have plenty to protest ^[2].

On a lighter note, I was brave enough to take a (disposable) camera with me to Songkran celebrations, so pictures will come soon.