Now the people have the power [in Thailand]

A Thai soldier lies on the ground after a clash with anti-government protesters during a rally in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, April 10, 2010. A hospital says at least 10 people, including a Japanese journalist, have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in the Thai capital. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

An anti-government protester uses a slingshot during clashes with Thai soldiers in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, April 10, 2010. (AP Photo/Wason Wanitchakorn)

11/04/2010
By Voranai Vanijaka
Bangkok Post

This may not be a popular opinion, but I'm not in a popularity contest. The opinion is: What the yellow shirts have done and what the red shirts are doing is a rather good thing, if one were to consider the grand picture of democratic development.

Could there have been a better way? Of course there could, and yet here we are. The ''could have'' and ''should have'' of this world are irrelevant _ learn from the past, don't live in it.

I don't have to agree with any of their causes, whether it's the yellow's, the red's or the polka-dot's, but I can appreciate they have shown us that in this Kingdom of Thailand, the people can stand up against the government and affect change, for that is a crucial aspect of democracy.

Sure, the yellows may get 300 baht a day, and the reds may get 1,000 (which one is the hi-so mob, again?), but when all is said and done, while the motives are questionable, the actions prove that the people can stand up against the government and affect change.

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