“Billionaire - Get Out”
by Admin ~ July 8th, 2009. Filed under: Thailand, asia, coup, travel.Now, you will wonder why a military coup comes under a travel blog. Simple reason is that while I was stopping over in Bangkok in Sept 2006, the ouster of then PM Thaksin Shinawatra took place. Lest it be said that I am trivialising a serious political upheaveal in Thailand, I venture to let it be known that the atmosphere around Government House during that time was - shall I put it - “JOVIAL”. Anti-Thaksin supporters were having a field day. Some were seen selling T-shirts showing a cartoonish Thaksin with his trademark flat hair and the words “GET OUT” prominently displayed below. Many soldiers received roses from members of the public. The street pedlers wasted no time to make money. Where there is a crowd, there is opportunity to make money.
Many journalists were spotted going in and out of Government House. Many Bangkokians, with children in tow, came to see the great turning point in Thai history and politics. Billionaire ousted by military with popular support? Rare but true. At least, that’s the impression I got. Now, I will let the photos talk instead.
