Civil War and other things.

Another year begins and the New Year calm of a deserted Bangkok as so many went home is broken very quickly by talk.  Will there be a civil war?  Will there be a coup?  Why is the army bringing tanks to Bangkok?  

Why all this now?  Well, if you haven't heard, Bangkok is caught up in the midst of another round of endless politcal turmoil and protests.  Starting next Monday, the protestors plan to lay siege to Bangkok until the PM and her government resign.   

Of course, there is no simple explanation or solution at hand.  Nor is this the place to try and present one.  Fact is that there is not the time to discuss the whole history of recent Thai politics nor is there the time to dissect and understand what is happening.  That is for a political classroom or your own study and reflection. 

All I want to say is that living here over eight years, one gets an internal sense of "Here we go again" which is accompanied by one of "Can't we just deal with this and get it over and done with once and for all".  It strikes me that they keep doing the same things, by creating confusion and chaos on the streets while not facing the issues head-on, and so nothing is resolved and the conflicts keep going on and getting deeper. 

This brings me to my last entry as I faced the end of 2013.  We do need to do things in life differently to achieve different results.  If we want better or we want results, then we have to stop doing what is preventing us from getting what we want.  All I can say is that my nativity set still sits out on my cupboard bench in my living room and there it will stay all year to remind me of Christmas and the goodness and joy it shares for the whole year. 

Happy Christmas!  Sorry, Happy New Year!  May we get some different and better results in life during 2014.