[You realize of course just how pontificating that headline sounds?]
On Wed, 19 May 2010, Wojtek S wrote:
> a major rebellion has been underway in Thailand
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10127048.stm
>
> AFAIK, this the first time that BBC identified the protesters as a "loose
> coalition of left-wing activists and democracy campaigners"
The fact that those two groups have joined in is hugely important and essential, a turning point. But this misses the main engine of thrust, which is the majority rural countryside that was excluded from the political process and from the benefits of economic development from independence until 10 years ago when Thaksin Shinawatra brought them in. Which is why, for all his many serious faults, they are so loyal to him and so furious for the multiple coups against him and his party. (And where the money comes from to sustain them).
Which explains why
> this "loose group" was able to paralyze one of the most important
> commercial centers in Asia fro about six weeks
They ain't no loose group, they are a huge social movement.
Besides which, the commercial center in Thailand seems actually to be one of the easier place to paralyze for both sides (both of which have done several of these large occupations over the past few years). It's a soft target compared to the airport or the convention center of visiting Asian dignitaries. The other side actually pioneered this trick because they were supported by the merchants and coddled by the military. Which is what made the military and government slow to turn against it because it would look like shameless favoratism to one side.
Michael