Friday 21 November 2008

PAD

Last weekend whilst I was away in the back of beyond (I'm still trying to work out how to blog about my trip - please be patient with me) Chris had his own adventure here in Bangkok. It was the funeral of King Bhumibol's sister Princess Galyani and Chris decided to make his way down to the Grand Palace to pay his respects.










For those of you that don't know....the Grand Palace is not a million miles away from where the PAD protesters are camping out at Government House (They took control of Government House in August and are still there). Curiosity got the better of him and, safe in the knowledge that nothing would happen to him the weekend of the Princesses funeral, he decided to go have a nosey!!







He was walking past taking a few photo's when one of the guards (these are PAD supporters that volunteer to guard the entrances) spotted him and invited him into the compound!! He said he had never seen anything like it!!! There was a huge sound stage where the main organisers spoke (and speakers dotted around the whole compound so their supporters could hear what was being said regardless of where they were), tents were pitched up around the grounds, buses with their wheels removed blocked road entrances, tyres and sandbags blocked smaller entrances and there was razor wire all over the place!! He did laugh when he spotted this. I think I would have probably found it a bit scary but he said he just found it absolutely fascinating!! Aren't his photo's amazing












He also stumbled upon a temple with a huge standing gold Buddha that neither of us even knew existed....that's something that we both love about living here....you go out for the day and it never turns out exactly as you expect!!

16 comments:

The Frogblogger said...
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The Frogblogger said...

A real stroke of luck and some fantastic photos. But these days whether there's such a thing as 'no danger' is debatable... given yesterday's events. All too easy to get lulled into a false sense of security :-(

So stay safe...

Carol said...

Frog Blogger - I did freak slightly when we found out another bomb had gone off in the compound!! Normally he wouldn't have gone anywhere near the place but the Thai Royal Family is held in such high regard that he knew there was no way in the world anyone was going to do anything during the Princess's funeral!!

C x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

What incredible photos. I've had to call R in to have a look. I must admit that I'm glad all that wasn't happening when J was over there on his trip. That said, I really would love to visit at some point, it looks like it must be a fascinating place.

French Fancy... said...

wow Carol, you might have to set Chris up with a blog of his own. They are really good pics. I don't know if I would have gone - I'd probably have been a scaredy-cat, but more power to him for going.

Blu said...

What an interesting post, it is great to laern about other countries and see such good shots too.

Janice said...

What extraordinary experiences. What memories you'll both take away from there. Can't help thinking you're going to find it hard to adjust to life back in the grey and cloudy West...

Jenny Beattie said...

Wow Carol, what an amazing thing to happen to him. The pictures are great.

Cheryl said...

The pics are amazing, me and boyf are planning a trip there and will be even more amazed to see it for real

david mcmahon said...

What an amazing series of photos.

Carol said...

Debs - Awwww, you really wouldn't have had to worry about J if he'd still been here!! The protests and the violence has really been kept to one area...and as long as you avoid that area your fine!!

I think you would absolutely love it here....and you know a couple of people that could give you some great recomendations on where to go!!

French Fancy - Yeah, I'm not sure I would have been happy wondering about in the compound!! His photo's are fab arent they....I did tell him that he should write this post but he was having none of it!!

Blu - It has certainly been interesting watching the events unfold....

Janice - We've both loved living here and your right...I think it will be a shock to the system trying to re-adjust. But as they say...when one door closes another one opens :-)

JJ - I know!! I couldn't believe it when he told me he'd been inside the compound!! He took loads of pics...I'll show you them next time I see you

Lily - I think you would love Thailand!! I'd be happy to give you a few pointers so don't hesitate to give me a shout :-)

David - Thank you for the lovely comment. I will pass it on to Chris (who I'm sure will be delighted)

C x

DJ Kirkby said...

Completely amazing photos!!!! I've tagged you honey. xo

Carol said...

DJ - Hmmm.....I could have sworn that I'd left a comment here!!

Thanks for the tag hon (I loved being tagged)....I will definately give it a go once I've blogged about my trip away!!

C x

Lane Mathias said...

Incredible photos - not to mention an incredible experience for Chris!

The things you two have seen in Thailand!

Carol said...

Lane - They are rather amazing aren't they!! (I would have been way too chicken to go inside!!)

C x

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