In an amazing display of solidarity, the people of Bangkok come out in full force to reclaim their city following the Bangkok Unrest. Thaila...
In an amazing display of solidarity, the people of Bangkok come out in full force to reclaim their city following the Bangkok Unrest. Thailand just went through its worst. Now we're seeing its best.
By Karn G. Bulsuk
The aftermath of the Bangkok Unrest, which saw Red Shirt protestors occupying the entire stretch of road between Bangkok’s business district, shopping area and teenage hangout, left those areas a virtual ghetto, filled with garbage and graffiti strewn throughout the entire area.
Subsequent organized arson by terrorists left a deep impact on the psyche of Bangkok people, shocked at seeing familiar and memory-filled places being burned to the ground. In the days after the end of the protest, the Bangkok government was inundated with calls by citizens, asking to join in the clean up.
They got their wish on May 23, where thousands of Bangkok residents descended to Ground Zero to reclaim the City of Angels, bringing with them brooms, brushes, washing powder, paint scrapes, and anything that could be used to bring the City of Angels back to its former glory.
Thailand at its best
The graffiti and stickers were scraped off by enthusiastic teenagers ready to take on the world. The roads were sprinkled with washing powder, and sprayed with thousands of gallons of water, while people helped to push the water down the road and into the drains. Roads were swept clean, while mountains of garbage were piled up by volunteers so that it would be taken away easily.
Others played their part by turning out in droves to offer free food and drinks to the volunteers, all with the simple, kind intention of helping one another.
These people weren’t just socialites or political figures looking for a photo opportunity. They were all ordinary people ho felt the impact of the prolonged occupation by protesters, from students to office workers, from stall owners to fruit sellers, all unified with the aim of bringing Bangkok back to normalcy.
There was a sense of mission, of solidarity and of unity. The people who turned up that day, helpless for so long during the violence, wanted to do something to make a difference. They wanted to show that Bangkok was their city, and that it would always rise from the ashes no matter how long it was under siege, no matter how many buildings the terrorists would burn down.
Thailand just went through its worst. Now we’re seeing the country at its best.
By Karn G. Bulsuk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnF58TpHRhM: An emotional music video
showing the cleanup by thousands of oridinary citizens, days after the
end of the Bangkok Unrest
showing the cleanup by thousands of oridinary citizens, days after the
end of the Bangkok Unrest
 |
| Your correspondent on the front lines |
The aftermath of the Bangkok Unrest, which saw Red Shirt protestors occupying the entire stretch of road between Bangkok’s business district, shopping area and teenage hangout, left those areas a virtual ghetto, filled with garbage and graffiti strewn throughout the entire area.
Subsequent organized arson by terrorists left a deep impact on the psyche of Bangkok people, shocked at seeing familiar and memory-filled places being burned to the ground. In the days after the end of the protest, the Bangkok government was inundated with calls by citizens, asking to join in the clean up.
They got their wish on May 23, where thousands of Bangkok residents descended to Ground Zero to reclaim the City of Angels, bringing with them brooms, brushes, washing powder, paint scrapes, and anything that could be used to bring the City of Angels back to its former glory.
Thailand at its best
The graffiti and stickers were scraped off by enthusiastic teenagers ready to take on the world. The roads were sprinkled with washing powder, and sprayed with thousands of gallons of water, while people helped to push the water down the road and into the drains. Roads were swept clean, while mountains of garbage were piled up by volunteers so that it would be taken away easily.
Others played their part by turning out in droves to offer free food and drinks to the volunteers, all with the simple, kind intention of helping one another.
These people weren’t just socialites or political figures looking for a photo opportunity. They were all ordinary people ho felt the impact of the prolonged occupation by protesters, from students to office workers, from stall owners to fruit sellers, all unified with the aim of bringing Bangkok back to normalcy.
There was a sense of mission, of solidarity and of unity. The people who turned up that day, helpless for so long during the violence, wanted to do something to make a difference. They wanted to show that Bangkok was their city, and that it would always rise from the ashes no matter how long it was under siege, no matter how many buildings the terrorists would burn down.
Thailand just went through its worst. Now we’re seeing the country at its best.
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