With turmoil all around . . ., originally uploaded by grantthai.

. . . it's nice to be reminded of happier times.

As I upload this image Bangkok is under a State of Emergency, declared by PM Samak Sundaravej after clashes between pro and anti government protesters left at least one person dead.

Thai society is deeply divided with the rural poor still strongly supporting Mr Thaksin, and his perceived proxy, PM Samak, and his PPP party which won the most votes in the elections last year. The current protests are lead by the PAD (People's Alliance for Democracy), originally formed in the months preceding the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation. PAD re-emerged after Mr Samak was elected last December. PAD has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite.

Thais are famous for always being able to find the compromise, but sadly, this time the nation is so deeply divided there appears to be very few ways out of the conflict. The country is polarised like never before.