The recent unrest in Bangkok has been causing serious problems with the tourist industry in Thailand. The group known as the red shirts have been protesting  for the past two months against the new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and refuse to leave their encampemnt on Silom road which is in the heart of the business district of Bangkok. After the riot which broke out in april due to a clash with the military, which left 23 people dead and many more injured the western world has put out serious warnings about the safety of travelling in Thailand, advising people that the country is seriously dangerous.

It is a shame that the whole of the country is suffering mass tourism problems due to the situation which is happening in one street of Bangkok. Having been to Bangkok myself and actually walked right through the centre of the red shirts encampment from end to end, I have to say  that the atmosphere was very peaceful and had more of a festive feel than one of aggression. Thats not to say its like that all the time, however the majority of Thailand is. Nothing has changed down here on Koh Phangan apart from the dwindling number of people coming out to beaches like Thong Nai Pan.

Having spoken to many people in Thong Nai Pan Noi, and visitors to Luna Lounge, it seems that most peoples experiences of Bangkok have been fairly normal ones, without disruption or even any notice of the problems in Silom road.  However after  lastnights second major clash with the army things may be pretty tense in the capitol right now. But down on Ko Phangan things remain the same, beautiful scorching weather and calm blue sea!  We hope to see more people down here soon!