It is quiet

Bangkok is open for business again - the military are returning to their barracks; the streets are being cleaned up; schools have returned; the traffic has returned. Still one can't say that it is business as usual.

There is e certain hesitancy in the air - maybe it is shock, maybe it is tiredness, maybe it is quietness. The razor wire remains around the Marriott in Suan Phlu. Elsewhere the wire is gone. Yesterday as I passed the Marriott yet again, I expressed my view as a citizen to the management. I said that the wire was staying longer than needed and serving to continue the message of fear in our street. After all, the Prime Minister announced to all that Bangkok was now secure. I felt proud of having done my civic duty and hopefully I was an example of how to behave in a democracy.

Thailand has a long way to go to learn about democracy. It does not just happen. Neither can it just be given or built up under the leadership of corrupt politicians or institutions. The Thai PM made a statement at the weekend that spoke to me. He said - We must rebuild the spiritual house that is Thailand.