Looks like I came at a bad time. This week, thousands of Thais assembled in Bangkok to protest against what they deem is a corrupted government. Calling for a removal of current officials, the People's Alliance for Democracy created a barricade in front of Parliament, meant to disrupt the legislative session. In response, the government deployed its troops that, according to the South China Morning Post, killed one and injured hundreds.
This most recent anti-government demonstration puts yet another exclamation on Thailand's recent political troubles that has seen a number of government officials arrested or dismissed and nearly a dozen killed. I'm pretty sure news stations back home aren't covering much of the situation. If I knew more about what's going on I'd let you know, but I don't know much. The journalist part of me wants to run out there with my camcorder and camera, and find out what's going on, but I thought better of it- just been trying to stay out of the trouble. I was however, searched by two policemen who were manning the streets. I was walking home from work with a big bag full of my laundry and one of the policemen started eyeballing me (I think my beard makes me look like some kind of Asian Islamic fundamentalist). So they just padded me down and made me open my bags and what not. Anyways, I told them I was a tourist and they believed me. Afterward, I went home and shaved.
from South Morning China Post
Prayer Requests:
- There's a book I really want to write about a missionary who has had some amazing experiences. It's great as a career opportunity, but pray that God would work this out for whatever he wants to do.
- I told my organization that I used to work in children and college ministry and they asked me to be a speaker at a youth retreat for a sister organization. :/ eek! I think they gave me the topic of materialism, which is pretty fitting for me as an American right? :) Pray that God would be exceptionally gracious to me when I open my mouth.
