Bangkok

We've been taking some pictures with our own camera of some of the activity going on in our temporary home of Bangkok since we arrived here a week ago. However, there's a journalist/photographer who is right there where the action is and has captured some amazing digital moments. We have his full permission to use his images, so we thought we'd use his pictures to give you a glance at what eventually ended up being a military takeover against those who wanted change but clearly went about it the wrong way. It looks like the worst of it is over and things are beginning to calm down tonight.

This is a shot of central Bangkok before the military went in and regained control of the area that was previously occupied by those who call themselves the "Red Shirts." We're not sure, but one of the security guards on our street told us that this area is about 2 km behind our apartment.

Inside their "camp" ... they been set up in this area for a few weeks.

You can see the tents set up between the sky train and the highways....

Two of the many Thai military that we've seen since we've been here....

A very common scene at the end of our street and throughout the area ... the Thai solidiers have been nothing but nice; one of the guys even put his hand out to shake Noah's hand as we were walking to the hospital one morning.

One of the many tire barricade fires that were started by the rioters.....

According to the journalist, this was the result of a grenade....

Another common sight....

One of the many barricades set up to keep the military out....

A chilling sight of a man holding 2 "gas bombs."

According to the journalist, this kid is one of the youngest combantants down there ... he looks to be around Elizabeth's age.

Their camp ... bathrooms, beds, clothes washing, food, etc.

Some of the shops that have been completely shut down for weeks now ... hopefully they'll be able to re-open soon.

The beginning of the military take over ... we could see this smoke from our apartment.

The barricade that was unsuccessful at keeping the military out ... no problem for the tanks.

What was left of a charred bus...

We've read reports that at least 27 buildings were torched when the take over began, including one of the bigger shopping malls....

Still burning last night...

The military began the clean-up the next morning.....

And the Thai people began smiling .... as well as the journalists.

Some of the policeman the next morning.....

A few images of some not-so-happy moments during the cleanup, including an unused gas bomb.

A shop owner that discovered her dress shop had been completely gutted ... heartbreaking. The Thai people are some of the sweetest we've ever met.

What's left of a bank....

Several unused home-made bombs discovered at the camp this morning....

We're still under curfew through the weekend, but this image taken earlier this evening shows a much more peaceful Bangkok tonight.

As we were reading Psalm 27 with the kids tonight, verse 13 jumped out at us - "Yet I am confident that I will see the L0rd's goodness while I am here in the land of the living." We are joining the other believers in this city (and throughout the world) and claiming Rom 8:28 with them. Yes, Father ... we know that in ALL things, You are working for the good of those who love You, those who have been called according to Your purpose.