In case you live under rock, for the last month life in the manic financial capital of Thailand, Bangkok, has not only been paralyzed, but has been the scene of deadly demonstrations between anti government demonstrators (the ‘Red Shirts’) whom are standing up against the Thai government and current Prime Minister (they support former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006), with the army standing somewhere in between, confused. This past weekend I was both fortunate and unfortunate enough to get right in the center of it all and snap some photos.

My original trip was scheduled the weekend prior, but after a string of grenades were launched last Thursday (April 22, 2010), I promptly rescheduled my flight (resulting in an overstay, thanks for caring for my well being Taipei immigration). Though last week my photos might have been more spectacular, I spared myself some bullet wounds and battle scars and arrived in the midst of a more tranquil protest where the masses had dwindled as the ‘Red Shirts’ have to some extent, got what they wanted.

Most interesting to I, to make a statement the ‘Red Shirts’ set up camp right amidst a popular tourist shopping mecca, between MBK stretching down Sukhumvit passed Siam Center, Siam Paragon and beyond. It was definitely a sight to see, and a statement to make, thousands of the perhaps more indigent Thai’s camped out under towering Louis Vuitton stores and massive Gucci campaigns. 5 star hotels were deserted, blocked off by barriacades of barbed wire, tires, bamboo, and thousands of red shirted Thai’s who have made the door step of the grand Siam Paragon their home.

The presence of armed miltia was scarce, but taxi’ing around the city you spot them with their machine guns and riots shields in popular areas, like right outside nightclub doors. Though the violent clashes have ceased, the unsettling feeling of uncertainty and unpredictability looms heavily in the city.

This video was taken on April 10th, 2010, on Bangkok’s infamous tourist hot spot KHAO SAN ROAD.

But here I am, home safe. I wore a lucky hat.

Sort it out, Thailand.