both sides hiring protestors

Want to hear a sad, pathetic, funny, disgusting story that unfortunately also happens to be true?

As I'm writing this on Sunday evening, quite a few Thais here in Chiang Mai are out celebrating some extra cash they received from exercising their commitment to democracy and their country. Seems many found that they could don a yellow T-shirt and show up at a university, sign their name and collect Bt50. Then they could don a red T-shirt and head over to a stadium, sign their name and get paid Bt300. Then they could go out and buy some liquor or beer and talk about anything other than politics or the state of their country.

"The people get the government they deserve." - Alexis de Tocqueville.

For those here in Thailand who really do want to make a difference and who care about their country, don't forget what you are fighting against.

"It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere." - Voltaire.

Good luck, Thailand, in your exercise in democracy.

Tony

Chiang Mai