The Thai Sauce Wars

Unexpectedly, I took a bite into a subject I hardly touch which is politics but then I took the necessary chewing and then swallowed into the delicious scandal of the civil war in Thailand.

Let me enlighten you, Thailand is on the brink of a civil war due to the ousting of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 who was appointed by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The country then divided into colors you might familiarly find in cheeseburgers: Ketchup(Red) and Mustard(Yellow).

The Red wearing population rallied and caused enormous damages across Bangkok in protest to the ousting of Shinawatra in terms of corruption and absentia while traveling abroad in favor of the Thai King’s elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva which the red protesters claimed unjust and a biased decision from the royal leader which led to almost two dozen deaths according to CNN.com when the military was needed. But that whirlwind decision was supported by the pro-government Yellow wearing patriots who counterclaim that Shinawatra’s win in the election was fraud.

According to CNN.com this is a classic case of power struggle between the rich and poor. Apparently, Thaksin became a threat to the bourgeois class when he enacted populist policies which was popularly supported by the rural class that led to concerned billionaires who were afraid to be cast away in their position. The army, supported by the sour billionaire mustards successfully ousted Shinawatra.

Even though the taste of ketchup and mustard compete in flavor it still doesn’t seem to wane the interest of tourists to visit the beautiful country filled with legendary tourist spots, cuisine and a very rich culture. However divided the country maybe in terms of politics, the tourism is booming especially after the disastrous Tsunami six years ago. The smell of Thailand is definitely worth the bite which will remain indigested in memory and experience.