Welcoming a Fresh Start

So, before starting off today's blog.... here's some stuff that has been happening, recently:

* The protests have conglomerated in the more commercial areas of Bangkok, forcing many businesses to close early/close for the whole day. At least the protesters have food court options?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8621964.stm

* Amongst the people who have died in the protests have been a Japanese cameraman (for Reuters) while he was filming a dispute between the police and the red shirts. Very unfortunate, indeed, but the fact that a person in the media's life was actually taken, and a foreigner, nonetheless.... might finally give more press attention to the protests that are going on, at least to the rest of the world?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8616339.stm

* Here's a good background blurb by the BBC on the protests. I should have read this before I did all of my back-and-forth research on all of the PM's, corruption scandals, etc! (see previous post!)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584005.stm

* On a much lighter note... the past 3 days in Thailand were supposedly less violent, especially since... the past 3 days were a national holiday in Thailand!

Get ready for it...

3...

2..

1!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

April 13-15 in Thailand marks the Songkran Festival, which was apparently brought originally from the Burmese, who adapted it from the Indian's Holi Festival (Which, many Berkeleyans, at least, associate with gathering in Lower Sproul Plaza to throw coloured powder and water at each other, ending in an explosion of tie-dye not only on your clothes, but on your face, hands, legs, HAIR... you name it!).

Besides going to the Buddhist monasteries ("Wat"s) to pray and give food to the monks to pay respects, Songkran seems to include a LOT of water-splashing/throwing, mainly for cleansing. Apparently, people commonly pour water (sometimes scented with herbs, flowers..) over the Buddha statues within their household shrines, collect that water which is now "blessed," and pour it over the more respected individuals of their families (elders, etc.) to give good fortune. The water throwing definitely seems welcomed, especially since April is apparently the hottest month of the year in Thailand.

Some cool sayings? Yes? Let us begin...

* สวัสดีปีใหม่ or สุขสันต์ปีใหม่ - Sa Wat Dee Pee Mai! or Suk San Pee Mai!

- Happy New Year!

* สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ - Suk San Wan Songkran!

- Happy Songkran Day!

So! Cheers to a new year, and... hope that the government and red shirts finally begin negotiations...