बर्ह barha Nordic Asia Research Community.

What just happened in Thailand? Was Thailand not supposed to be a peaceful vacation paradise with perfect beaches and charming smiles? Didn't we just spend a couple of leisurely lazy days looking at stunning temples and eating delicious street food from the stalls with not a care in the world? (Yes, we did. In 2009, about 11 million foreigners visited Thailand.)

Defining democracy is, if not an impossible, then an immensely difficult task. However, defining what it is not is easy, very easy:  Amongst other things, it is NOT democracy to gather a mass rally and declare that the sitting government must dissolve within 24 hours, or else...

Nevertheless, this explicit threat is exactly what was brought to the political table in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, this week. Under a rally. For democracy.

Thailand has been plagued by terrorists for decades, almost a century even.

The people of especially the three most southern provinces - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - lives like this: Almost all news from their part of the world involves bombs and someone dying. They attend funerals frequently. There are bullet holes in their kids' classrooms. And no one goes about anywhere after dark. These people live in fear.

Sivarak Chutipong is a name everyone, who follows South East Asian news, will recognize. From complete anonymousity just a few months ago, Sivarak Chutipong became famous over night. Why? He is a spy.

Martin Gemzell,
Asia Program Manager
Olof Palme International Center