Red Shirts Make a Splash in Soi 31

It started early this morning. Sukhumvit Soi 31 was blocked off from all sides by masses of riot police decked out in full “robocop” gear, shields and all.

I slowly shuffled down the back end of the Soi and sheepishly asked if I could get by to go to work. Subjected to a brief bag search, I continued on to the next barricade. This time they just let me through with a nod. The Prime Minister’s house was surrounded with barb wire and more security. Men in bio-hazard suits stood nearby in preparation for some blood throwing.

I slipped into the studio and waited to see if anyone was determined enough to get some art done today. Turns out, a couple of people were! Good on you Rosie and Teena!

Coming from Soi 39

Coming from Sukhumvit Road

Eventually, through the police trucks in the distance, and the pouring rain, you could see red. They were trying to enter the soi from all directions. Slowly the Sukhumvit end barricade began retreating back towards the studio, until eventually they were right on top of us. Waving their clappers and smiling at the cameras. The red trucks piled full and just fitting under power lines, were blasting music while the shirts danced about in the rain.

Heading our way

Outside the studio

Blood poured at the gate of Abhisit's house

So the Red Shirts succeeded in their bloody mission and slowly began to empty out of Soi 31. All in all, the whole thing remained relatively peaceful and moods remained jovial.

To see more photos of today’s events, check out the Red Shirt Rally photo album on Attic Studios‘ facebook page.