Well I was one of the few hundred that
were able to leave Bangkok. It was crazy. Picture thousands of people
rushing to a downtown hotel lobby where many had no confirmation for
a seat; the wonderful Thai people trying to please everybody; and
there simply not being enough seats available. The normally orderly
Westerns learning that there is no such thing as a line! Some got
there well before lunch to finally board a bus at 6pm. Then after the
bus is full some little old Korean lady has to use the bathroom.
Three hours later they disembark at the military airport to face
another hude crowd who have been waiting for hours. Further to the
crazy scene- a man complaining they did not put him in business
class; a sick child overheating; a single parent leading a small
child trying to get through the mess; the Thais who had no sense of
preparedness actually raising their voices on occassion; and the rude
Koreans pushing past anyone and everyone! The Australian Consulate
send one bright and assertive guy that rallied the Australians
together and encouraged them to not lose their wits. Is that because
they would have been worse than the Koreans- we'll never know. He was
great and so were the Aussies. There were a few hundred like me who
were just relieved to leave a place where the government and country
gets pushed around by a few idiots who want to control a "democractic
governement". God bless you Thailand as you struggle through.
Please do not choose "politeness" over what is right.