A United Land of the Free

Over the summer, the humble country of Thailand experienced controversy as the people were divided between the Red shirts and the Yellow shirts. I had a deep concern that the country would remain in peace and not resort to violence after the outcome of an election that could bring in the first woman Prime Minister in Thai history. Here is a copy of a letter that I sent to the local newspapers before the election. The people of Thailand were in my prayers.

As we are days away from the election that could usher in the first female Prime Minister ever in Thai history, it is to my concern as a descendant of Thailand that regardless of what the outcome of the election is; peace, reconciliation, and unity is the order of the day and established. As I live in the West, my heart is troubled to hear of the shedding of blood and conflict arising in the East but more troubled by what potentially could take place in the near future.

We are living in a time, that everywhere all across the world, the oppressed of society are dissatisfied with the current conditions and as a result are rising up. Corruption in governments are being manifested and people are speaking that never had a voice to be heard.

On September of 2006 our Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed from office in a bloodless coup for allegations of using his position to enrich himself. What I write to you is neither for or against the two opponents of the election, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Yingluck Shinawatra, nor for or against Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra; however, I raise the question of can you name one Head of State or Government official that hasn’t used their position to seek personal financial gain?? If we can’t name one, then I humbly ask why did Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra get exiled out of Thailand after doing much work to rebuild and uplift the oppressed?

In a June 15^th, 2011 interview, Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra asked that Thailand would reconcile and unite. As your brother in the West who’s blood is of the East I ask that this will be the spirit of a people who are of the “land of the free”. I ask of you that whatever is the out come on July 3^rd, there will be peace in the streets of Thailand and we work together in the best of manners to advance the conditions of the people. Let us not riot and shed blood which will justify Western Nations to intervene to solve the problems we could have solved on our own, while possibly later conquering and eventually shedding more blood.

There is much conflict in the world today and if war were to enter Asia, an alliance or union between Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia economically and militarily could keep South East Asia protected and strong; however we can’t unite with others if we first can’t unite with ourselves.

Gautama Siddharta (Buddha) once said “He is able who thinks he is able”. Let the Red and the Yellow, government and civilian come together and be able to work as one freely, justly and equally while being the cornerstone of a new era in South East Asia that is setting the example of reconciliation and unity across the world.

I pray that these words were of help to you as I anticipate the upward advancement of our people... you are the people, you are the power.

Brother George