State of emergency

State of emergency at Bangkok airports

Thailand's government has announced a state of emergency at Bangkok's two airports where thousands of anti-government protesters are camped out.

The Thai government has declared a state of emergency after thousands of protesters took over both Bangkok airports yesterday. About four months ago the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) began protests in an effort to pressure Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's government to resign.

A state of emergency gives the government the right to restore order, suspend civil liberties, ban public gatherings of more than 5,000 people and control some media reports, specifically those it believes would cause panic. The government is insisting that the military will use only peaceful means to remove protesters.

There is also rumors that a military coup is being organized. The Thai army general made a plea to the government to hold elections to end political protests but was denied. Now, reported tank movements within the city, as well as the use of the air force and navy, raised speculation that the army was preparing to intervene against the government.

The reason I post this is that I have, for the first time in my life, bought myself a Christmas present. Guess what it is. Come on...I bet you can't guess!

A ticket to Thailand! My present to myself was a 2 week vacation on the beach with nothing but a hammock, a book and the ocean. I had no idea when I talked to the travel agent that he had included a nicely wrapped hand grenade.

The trip is in three weeks and I'm sure by then the airports will be open. I'm told the government has already taken steps to move flights, which are currently non existent, to another city.

Yesterday Grace threw up on me during lunch. I will go to Thailand, even if I have to kick Wongsawat's ass myself.

Well, him and his army.

Note: Don't freak out. I won't go if it's too dangerous. But I expect a lot of care packages if my trip is canceled, people.