The week that has been mine has seen the highs and lows, the beauty and the ridiculousness of life as I know it in Bangkok. In the one week, we have had yet again the political protests that so easily and eventually turn nasty but then they stop so that everyone can celebrate the King's Birthday which I know as a day when you experience some of the very best of the local people and their culture.
Over the years, the protests just go on and on as the issues are never resolved or maybe can't be resolved. What I see at play is narrow self-interest on both sides, with neither side providing good leadership that will benefit the people and the longterm good of the nation. Everyone is fighting for democracy and standing against corruption. So who's in the right?
What everyone also holds to is a love for the King, and this is deeply felt and real for Thais. There is something truly touching about this and it is celebrated each year by the people on 5th December which is the King's Birthday. So, on Thursday evening, I happily went once again this year to a neighborhood celebration for the King and his birthday. It is open to all in the local community to come together for a festive event. There is free food. There is entertainment by the children who do traditional Thai songs and dance with such grace and pride. There is the ritual where reverence is shown for the King which includes all standing with lit candles and singing the royal anthem and to the King, finishing with a rousing and heartfelt "Long Live the King!"
It is all done with such love and sincerity and dignity that it just touches your heart, making you feel that there is something here that is just so real and to be truly treasured.
So I experienced yet again the beautiful and dignified side of the Thais. It is now the day after the birthday and political conflict remains unresolved. So what next? The general feeling seems to be that it will be back to the streets for more action. We will wait and see.
In the midst of it all, the trees and the decorations are up, the silly but appealing songs are being played and Christmas will go on, no matter what. Enjoy the season!
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