Red Camp: Beyond the Barricades

Curiosity had gotten the better of us.

Feeling a little adventurous, we decided to take a slow, apprehensive stroll yesterday afternoon to kaypo on what is really behind the Red’s barricades. For us, it seemed like a waste that we had this whole thing going on right outside our soi, but we don’t really know what really goes on in there. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to kaypo around before the crowds disperse, or if and when the authorities decide to annihilate the entire protest area. For Silver Bullet, it was more of an excuse for him to play with his little DSLR toy.

The entire blockade essentially starts right in front of the intersection towards Central Chidlom and stretches all the way at the intersection right before MBK. It really is actually quite a stretch! Despite the blockade, technically anyone and everyone can access through the area via the BTS stations. They were pretty cool with tourists in general and smiles were easily given. However, we did notice that any Thais who does not have any form of identification and wanted to access their area, were inspected pretty thoroughly. Some were wearing the kind of tags you get at conferences; you know, those that identify an individual as a delegate. In this case, it just seems…wrong...!

The mood there anyhow, was anything but intimidating. While we saw a lot of people snoozing away, there was also a lot of entertainment going on with rural music and what seemed like shows on stage! The entire community itself seemed quite self-sufficient. They had their own food, beverage and snack stalls, massage areas, cooking and sleeping quarters, hi-tech sound system and even their own newspapers! The atmosphere within the barricade was anything but tense and threatening. Everyone seems to be enjoying an extended carnival holiday!

Below are some pictures from my point and shoot to give you an idea of the surrounding area.

The barricades as seen from Chidlom BTS station:

As we walked through the crowd - centrestage @ CTW:

"Self-sufficiency" theory around CTW area. One wonders where they get their fresh food supplies to sell as well as endless supply of water for their make-shift bathroom. It makes me wonder too why in the world would they write "bath" in English as most of them there are pre-dominantly Thai! I wonder how many tourists or foreigners would actually use this "bath".

Right outside Zen CTW, one can find people sprawling and snoozing away on a make-shift bed while this man here managed his laundry; a vendor manages the Reds newspaper stand bearing only "Red" news.

Inspection site. All locals were thorougly checked before they can enter this zone

I just had to laugh, shake my head and roll my eyeballs when I saw their "Call for World Action" poster which I thought was a rather ludicrous call on their end. Now, let's see..whose bright ideas were these again? The cheek to ask for world action! Seriously.

After seeing what I have seen, I am convinced that most of them are just innocent civilians who probably are ignorant as to what they have gotten themselves into. I don’t think they know exactly what they are up against should shit hit the fan. As an outsider, I could only hope that they wise up, leave the premises and head on home.

For those wondering if Bangkok is still a safe place to travel to, I have no doubt in my mind that while there are a lot of inconveniences to grapple with, at this juncture, it still is rather safe. So long as you have your wits about you.