Democracy lost, almost

South East Asia has it all. Countries full of potentials and challenges, ambitious people with hopes and fears and the vitality of highly cultural societies. And yet, a visit to the Thai capital Bangkok is a true roller coaster ride in a situation when democracy has almost disappeared. The Tuk Tuk driver I approached outside the busy Phaya Thai skytrain station in downtown Bangkok seems to have understood. “I would like to go to the Democracy Monument,” I said. “Ok”, he answers quickly jumps into the driver’s seat, moves forward a couple of hundred metres to the next traffic lights and turns to me: ”Sir, I do not understand.” After pointing out the massive public monument on the map, he finally agrees to bring me there, at least - almost. Because it is really difficult to get to the Monument of Democracy, as it is situated in the middle of a very busy traffic circle on the wide Ratchadamnoen Klang Road. Cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles and Tuk-Tuks are rushing around the ...