From Royal Plaza to Sanam Luang: our first hand's accounts

The anti-Thaksin street campaign is historically unique in many ways. Our Trend editor Veena Thoopkrajae was among those who took part in the marathon, peaceful, diversified, massive and free-spirit events since the People's Alliance for Democracy staged its first Royal Plaza rally on February 4.
Here are her personal accounts of each key demonstration which has become an international case study on democracy: February 6: Letter From Royal PlazaCarnival atmosphere, but a serious intentThe enthusiasm began in the morning. We were all fired up on hearing PM Thaksin Shinawatra deliver his weekly radio address. An angry friend called me to say, "Have you heard that? How dare he say if the King whispered to him he would resign?" I'm sure most of the approximately 100,000 strong crowd who gathered at the rally were rallied even more by his speech. Demonstrators gradually arrived at the square and by late afternoon, a section of the square was fully occupied with protesters. [Read it, click here.] February 13: Letter From Royal PlazaAnd the crowd roared 'Ok-pai'We, "the stupid mobsters" as the prime minister calls us, were faced with an uncertain situation on Saturday. [Read it, click here] February 28: Letter From Sanam LuangWhite flags flutter but there is no sign of retreatWe - formally known as the "stupid" crowd - had a new title courtesy of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. This time around our protest was branded as attempted "mob-rule". [Read it, click here]March 7, 2006: Letter From Sanam LuangA long, but fun, marchThe march from Sanam Luang to Government House on Sunday night was a tiring but worthwhile mission. [Read it, click here]March 15: Letter From Govt House'We came by ourselves, we weren't hired'"Mob rule" or not, there was not a single bottle thrown. Who said another historic day of our Kingdom had to be marked by violence, anyway? All I saw were blossoming friendships, and even polite smokers. [Read it, click here]March 27: Letter From Makkawan Rangsan BridgeOn the big night, a powerful voice is heardFew of the protesters had expected it was going to be such a sensational experience. But as we were singing "those" songs, we all got goose bumps. [Read it, click here]March 31: Letter From Siam Paragon Clean toilets, good food but just not the same There they were, lugging their props to another protest - the crowd, dubbed a "stupid mob" by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was preparing for another session. [Read it, click here]April 10: Letter From Sanam LuangThe war is far from over The orderly anti-Thaksin crowd were all there at Sanam Luang on Friday night. It was meant to be a precautionary farewell among the allies, a gathering to celebrate the victory of people's power. [Read it, click here]
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