As most of you know, it has been a terrible week in the history of Thailand. At long last, things have settled down and I am back in my condo, ready to get back to a more normal life again.
In a nutshell, a group of rural poor supporters of the former prime minister camped out in a major retail area, protesting against the current government. Several thousand protesters forced the closing of two major shopping malls and many other hotels and businesses for eight weeks. When negotiations for a peaceful settlement of their grievances collapsed last week, the government decided they had to act to clear the protest site. Last Friday, the army began sealing off the protesters, setting up a blockade around a fairly large area of central Bangkok.
Because my condo is inside that blockaded area, my emplyer requested that I leave and stay in a hotel near the office. I packed a small bag and finally found a tuk tuk driver willing to take me, since by the the Sky Train was not operating and the streets were closed, so no taxis were available.
A stand-off took place betwen the "redshirts" and the army for several days. Finally, Wednesday morning, the army acted, and began taking action to displace the redshirts from the protest site and to arrest their leaders. There was a lot of gunfire and loss of life, but by 2:00 p.m., the leaders had surrendered to police, or had fled. Sadly, the followers were incensed by their leaders capitulation and they went on an arson spree burning many buildings in town. Arson targets were primarily banks and the stock exchange building, but also included Central World, the second largest shopping mall in Asia.
Thursday's headline from the The Nation, following a night of burning.
The crackdown begins, as soldiers near a red shirt barricade at Visctory Monument.
The view from my hotel window.
What I would have seen from my condo had I stayed. This is almost an exact view from the roof of my condo.
Elevated view from an area not far from my work place.
One Center shopping mall near Victory Monument. Destroyed.
Central World Mall before this week.
Central World today.
A notice in the elevator of my condo. Don't go on the balcony or rooftop because you might be mistaken for a sniper and shot!
My condo is the tall building on the far left. Normally, the street, Petchaburi is a bumper to bumper parking lot. It has never, ever looked like this.
Things are almost back to normal now. Plans are announced to rebuild Central World in six months. My Thai friends are saddened beyond words by what has happened. They all love their country deeply and know that scenes of violence have been broadcast around the world. They want everyone to understand that what happened this week is NOT the real Thailand. I am sure that the people here will go forward now with real resolve that NEVER AGAIN will anything like this happen in this amazing country. Some of the best friends I have ever had are here, and these people I love so much are NOTHING like you have seen displayed on TV the past few weeks. Thailand is so much better than this, and will work so hard to erase the memories of this awful week.
I am guessing fifty showed up today at JaRurat, which may have been a record. At one point I counted forty and there were several kids who left and were replaced by others. That many kids, all wanting to show you their work, really wear you out fast.
Buddy, I know the feeling!
At Wisiwa, starting things off with a song.
Ah Jan Vee and Ting, keep things going.
What I would have seen from my condo had I stayed. This is almost an exact view from the roof of my condo.
Elevated view from an area not far from my work place.
One Center shopping mall near Victory Monument. Destroyed.
Central World Mall before this week.
Central World today.
A notice in the elevator of my condo. Don't go on the balcony or rooftop because you might be mistaken for a sniper and shot!
My condo is the tall building on the far left. Normally, the street, Petchaburi is a bumper to bumper parking lot. It has never, ever looked like this.
The happy couple kneel, as a group of monks chant for several minutes... 
The monks then take these things and hold them in front of their faces as they chant again. This is a common practice. They do the same thing at Thai funerals.
Two loops are woven from a specail string and they are placed on the bride and grooms heads with the strings connecting them. Guests are invited up and given special sea shells filled with scented water. You pour the water on their hands and pronounce a blessing, such as "I wish you great health and happiness."
The bride and her mother.
The happy bride...
Then it was back to the slums to teach the kids about vowels... A, E, I, O, U. It was unspeakably hot and humid. Heat index something near 110.
Learning those vowels!
Boss showing off.
Greg Brown's last weekend in Thailand for a while and he spoke at the main service. He did a great sermon on worship.
The slums teams gathered to share a last meal with Greg and to say goodbye.
If somene had told me three years ago that I would have a water fight with a group of nine year old Buddhist monks (in training)...
Trucks lined up to head back down the street for more water splashing.
Thaweep, our guide for the day... looking like a wet cat.
Yesterday, we reviewed numbers 1-10 in English. 
Cutie
Tracing the numbers.
Each week, I teach a simple Bible lesson. I also bring along Hotwheels cars as prizes for kids who can answer questions afterward. Thanks to J and to my folks for sending a new supply of Hotwheels!
Oh! I know!
My protegee, Natt enoys his great chance to get me good.
Left to right: Lisa De Petro, Jon De Petro, yours truly, Jim Barker, and Ben Burdt.
Lined up for their turn.
Aum is getting too much happiness from this!
Tuk wishes my boss, Vera a Happy Songkran.
A little red shirt protester. A true Protestant, I guess.
