Protesters held hostages soldiers (28)

[Flashermac]

Captured soldiers released

 

 

Four soldiers who were captured last night during the clash with UDD protesters have been released.

 

The soldiers said they were well-treated by the red shirts.

 

 

BP

[dave32]

I don't think there will be a deus ex machina this time. Too old, too ill.

 

 

Now that's a shame, 'cause when you're faced with an unresolvable dilemma, a good old deus ex machina always works so very very well in the pinch.

 

To my ignorant eyes (and yes, when it comes to Thai politics I'm exceedingly ignorant), it seems that there are way too many different factions/players vying for power or a piece of the pie that are simultaneously intertwined with both sides. To the extent that it doesn't seem possible to have a strong sense of resolution on the one hand, but on the other I think those predicting this will escalate into massive violence or civil war are likely wrong also.

 

The 'mai bpen rai' prevents both. You have a status quo of quagmire with occasional periods of stability followed by cycles of unrest/bursts of activity, then back to quagmire.

 

I don't know. What do you think is going to happen Flasher?

 

Regardless, I feel sorry for Abhisit, he's the face of a government that is largely impotent and fractured. I wonder what he realistically can do at this point? This is a guy facing tough decisions surrounded by people who will 'switch' if they need to.