XX+Personal+Page+for+Arnold+Patton

=XXPERSONAL PAGE FOR ARNOLD PATTON= My country for this course is THAILAND.

Something interesting about this country is, Thailand's name in the Thai language is Prathet Thi, which means "Land of the Free." It is the only country in SE Asia that was never colonized by European nation.

Assignment #3. =**Interesting facts about Thailand**= 1. Another interesting fact about this Country is, The smallest mammal, the Craseonyteris thongongyai ( the bumble Bat), is found in a small area along the Khwae Noi River (‘River Kwai’), in Sai Yok National Park and adjacent areas, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand. The species has also been reported from south-east Myanmar. 2.The longest place name in the world is the full name of Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand: Krungthepmahanakhon Amonrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharatratchathaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphimanawatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. It means “City of Angels, Great City of Immortals, Magnificent City of the Nine Gems, Seat of the King, City of Royal Palaces, Home of Gods Incarnate, Erected by Visvakarman at Indra’s Behest.” 3. **SAD FACT** ! The 2004 tsunami hurtled a wall of water 30 feet high over Thailand’s coast, killing over 8,000 people. An estimated 1,500 Thai children lost their parents and more than 150,000 Thais working in the fishing or tourist industries lost their livelihoods.

This was one of the Scariest days of my life! __**My Daughter and Grand Son live here!**__ The destruction and loss of life were uncomprehendible !

__**News Report #1**__ North Korea proposes high-level talks with US The National Defence Commission said it wanted "serious discussions... to secure peace and stability". The US said it wanted "credible negotiations", but Pyongyang had to comply with UN resolutions and move towards "denuclearisation". US and North Korean officials meet periodically, but have not engaged in high-level talks since 2009. BBC News -16 June 2013Last updated at 09:51 ET

** More interesting facts about Thailand. **
1. Touching someone on the head, putting your feet above someone’s head, are all considered rude. The feet, especially, are considered the dirtiest part of the body. Anything that is considered rude is especially taboo when do to the image of the king and royal family. When greeting someone in Thailand, you will clasp your hands together as if in prayer, pull your elbows close to your sides bow and touch your forehead and face to your hands. The greater importance of that person the lower you would bow.

2. Freedom of Religion is mandated by law and you’ll find that most Thais are quite accepting of different religions. However, there are serious ongoing hostilities between some Buddhist and Muslim communities in certain areas of southern Thailand. Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Judaism dating back to the 17th century, are all present in Thai society.

3. Among the Thai people, the king and royal family are highly respected. Jokes, or disrespectful comments made about the king may not only be rude but could be punishable offenses.

**INSIGHT: THE PEOPLE OF THAILAND**

 * The Thai people are very private people. They don't show public affection. Holding hands in public is about all you will see. They are a very soft spoken people and very friendly. They smile a lot and seem to be very happy. They don't use loud speech or shouting. They have a very good work ethic. They are very tolerant of foreigners and their lack of knowledge of their ways. The Country is about 95% Buddhist, 4% Muslim and the rest other including Christian. The Thai dialect is very difficult for Americans to annunciate but the Thai people are very tolerant of speech mistakes. They do appreciate you making the effort and will do their best to help you with their language.**
 * The Thai people love to learn. For a Thai person to not give their very best effort is not acceptable to them or their peers. They will do their best in everything they attempt. The densest population has traditionally been in and around Bangkok. But after the flood's and tsunami of 2004 there has been a move to the north. The north is booming. The development in that region is phenomenal. The problem lies in the fact that all the skilled workers in the south are going north for work. The wages are high and the demand for skills is great. What this is doing though is robing the southern region of skilled workers and thus creating a shortage of workers in the south.**

MORE INTRESTING THINGS ABOUT THAILAND.
1. Thailand occupies the western half of the Indochinese peninsula and the northern two-thirds of the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia. Its neighbors are Burma (Myanmar) on the north and west, Laos on the north and northeast, Cambodia on the east, and Malaysia on the south. Thailand is about the size of France.

2 Major foreign films have in fact been shot in Thailand for more than four decades. They include Tarzan in 1962, The Man with the Golden Gun (ninth in the James Bond series) in 1974, and Oscar-winning The Killing Fields in 1984. Of late, the country has been gearing itself up for even more productions from different parts of the world, notably India's fabled Bollywood. 3. A veritable Who's Who in international cinema have made films in Thailand--Brian De Palma, Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, Mel Gibson, Nicholas Cage, Hugh Grant, Renee Zellweger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Amitabh Bachchan, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Leonardo DiCaprio, Colin Farrell, Roger Moore, Denzil Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris--to name but a few.

**News Report #2**
Barbra performed the final show of her tour at the Bloomfield Stadium in Israel on Saturday night. The show marked Barbra's 100th live performance of her entire career. During her visit she visited the wailing wall. Later she proceeded to speak her mind about the treatment of women by the Orthodox Jewish Men in that Country. Barbra's Comments did not go over well in this Country. But Congratulations to Barbra on your milestone performance!
 * June 22: Barbra performs milestone concert in Israel. Speaks her mind and offends Orthodox Jewish community.**

**Situational Ethics.**
**CTED 4333/OCED 5133** **International Technical Education and Workforce Development** **Assignment Sheet** **The Rest of the World is Not Like Us:** **Internationalism and Situational Ethics**
 * NAME: __Arnold Patton__**

**Introduction**
 * Other cultures have social customs, political systems, and values that are very different from our in the United States. Americans who don’t realize this can find participation in international business and workforce development projects distressing and difficult. Learning to accept the values and behaviors of other cultures can be stressful to new-comers to the global marketplace and workforce.**

**Ethics and Situational Ethics**
 * __Ethics:__** How do you define “ethics”? Write a definition in your own words that reflects your feelings and attitudes about what it means to be “ethical.” ** Being ethical to me means to be above reproach. What I mean is do nothing behind closed doors that you wouldn’t want to be publicized. Treat everyone with the same respect as you demand for yourself! And if you are ever placed in an situation where you ask yourself “what would happen if anyone found out about this” Then get out of that situation as soon as possible. As a Teacher I feel we should hold ourselves to a higher set of standards then others. Because we are not only a teacher but we are a role model! Good or Bad Role model! That’s up to YOU! **


 * __Situational Ethics:__** A new view of ethics and morality is considered by some people to be relevant and important in making “ethical” decisions in international/multicultural situations. To help you understand the concept of “situational ethics,” review the following Internet sites:

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In your own words, define or explain situational ethics: ** Like the old saying “ WHEN IN ROME”. The world is not like us! We here in the US have ethics that we feel are the only way to be. But in other Countries they don’t have the same standards we do. ** ** And in most Countries they don’t have the freedom we do either! In Thailand a greeting done wrong can land you in a situation where you have offended someone in a heartbeat! They aren’t US! The problem comes when you are dealing in a foreign land and a situation you might think unethical is an accepted practice here! And to do otherwise could be considered an insult! **

Now, consider the following situations or scenarios related to international business and training situations. Write in your responses.

1. While you are trying to gain international marketing access in another country for a product your company produces, you are asked to pay a sizeable sum of money to a government official to gain access for your company to the necessary media coverage. You are told you should place several expensive ads in the magazine owned by the brother of the official. How would you react? What would you think and feel? What cultural factors of the host country and business consequences for your company might you need to consider in deciding what to do? What would you suggest or recommend that your company do?


 * I feel in an International situation like this you would have to learn to do as they do! As we all now in many Countries the Government is corrupt. If your company wants to get their foot in the door, they probably and should of done their home work. If they have then you and they already know what it's going to take to get established in this Country. Your personal feelings and Ethics would have to be put on the back burner. When your in a Country other than yours your customs, feelings, morals and ethics don't matter. These people don't care what you do where you come from! My suggestion for my Company would be ( WHEN IN ROME...).**

2. You are the president of an engineering firm. The firm is negotiating a contract in another country. The engineering firm has not previously worked in this country. A high-ranking official in this country tells you that it is an established and legal custom to give personal gifts to officials who are authorized to award contracts. This official also informs you that no further work will be awarded to your company without such gifts. However, this condition will not be included in the contract. If you do not comply, the government will also be less cooperative in the completion of the first contract. You learn that other firms have given such gifts to officials. You are also aware that if your company is cut out of the contract process, your employees’ jobs will be at risk. What would you do? Why?


 * Just because you have corrupt Officials in a country doesn't mean the people of that country should suffer. What I mean is, the Company you represent is bringing work and progress to this Country. This will be good for the country and the people . If you refuse to cooperate with this corrupt official not only will your company loose money but the people would suffer from the loss of jobs and progress. The people that work for me depend on me for jobs and if you want good employee's you have to take care of them. I would play the game!**

3. You are asked to head a major project in a developing country that will train many native workers, create 100s of new jobs in the country, and result in generation of a great deal of income for the country. You also discover that the project raises issues of environmental consequences, health and safety concerns for workers, and child labor issues. Will you accept this international development assignment? Why or why not?


 * The business your in is creating jobs and helping developing countries. The project will create 100s of jobs for native workers and generate great income for the country. But at what cost? If we come in and destroy the environment, make sick or worse take the lives of the natives we are trying to help, are we really helping? I would not take the assignment.**

After considering these scenarios, how would you explain the issue of situational ethics in international economic and educational development? What is your personal stance on this matter?


 * Situational ethics are just that! Situational! There will be times that as much as it goes against your ethics you will have to play the game. But when it comes to endangering human life I feel I would have to draw the line.**

**3 more Interesting facts about Thailand**
1. Affection in public – Thai people in general do not kiss or show a lot of affection in public beyond holding hands. Please be respectful here and do the same. Be discrete.

2. Confrontation – Thai people generally speak softly and avoid confrontation at all costs. Please do not shout or raise your voice. If you wish to take a photo of a Thai person please ask first.

3. Feet low/Head high – In Thailand your head is considered high and holy and your feet are considered low and dirty. It is considered very rude to raise your feet above someone else’s head (especially if they are older than you). Pointing at or touching something with the feet is also considered rude. Remember to remove your shoes when entering a Thai persons home or a sacred area.

===** Thai people eat with a spoon and fork for most meals, and sometimes with hands or chopsticks for dishes from India or China, respectively. The act of licking your fingers at the end of a meal is… **===
 * 1) ===Taken as an great complement to the host.===
 * 2) ===Considerd to be offensive===
 * 3) ===Not really considerd at all===

** A Thai greeting to someone of great importance is to clasp your hands together as in prayer and hold them out in front of you… **

 * 1) ===At head height and bow to touch your forehead===
 * 2) ===At chest level and bow and touch your face===
 * 3) ===At waist level and nod===
 * 4) ===As low as possible and bow and touch your chin===

More interesting facts about Thailand
1. Traffic police in Bangkok wear facemasks because of dangerous levels of air pollution. Additionally, police stations are equipped with oxygen tanks in case exhaust fumes overwhelm the officers. More than 20% of Bangkok’s police have some form of lung disease. One Thai bank estimated that Bangkok’s pollution woes cost the nation $2.3 billion annually in lost production, wasted energy, and health costs.

2. One-tenth of all animal species on Earth live in Thailand.

3. More than 1,500 species of orchids grow wild in Thai forests. Thailand is the world’s number one orchid exporter. Did you know that Licking your fingers after a meal is considered offensive.

4. Siamese cats are native to Thailand. In Thai they are called //wichen-maat//, meaning “moon diamond.” A 14th-century book of Thai poems describes 23 types of Siamese cats; today only six breeds are left. Giving a pair of Si Sawat cats (a type of Siamese cats) to a bride is supposed to bring good luck to the marriage.

5. Thailand is home to what may be the world’s longest snake, the reticulated python. The largest one ever found stretched over 33 feet (10 m) from end to end

6. Thailand is home to the world’s longest poisonous snake, the king cobra. The cobra can reach more than 18 feet long, and one bite from it can kill an elephant

7. The largest living lizard is native to Thailand. The monitor lizard can grow as long as 7 feet.

8. Approximately 10% of the world’s bird species live in Thailand, a greater proportion than in all of Europe or North America.

9. Swiftlet nests are made from strands of saliva from the male swiftlet bird. Swiftlet nests collected from Thai caves can fetch more than $900 per pound. It is one of the world’s most coveted and expensive food items.

10. A century ago, more than 100,000 elephants lived in Thailand, with about 20,000 of them untamed. Now, there are about 5,000, with less than half of them wild.

11. Thailand is the world’s largest producer of tin

=**How to get along in Thailand.**=
 * Try to learn their customs and greetings. You should never raise your voice! Even if someone is out of ear shot don't raise your voice. Speak softly and repeat yourself often if needed to get their attention. Be patient! You should never refuse food when offered. You may not like it but at least try it. If you accept everything offered but don't like something you can show it with a facial expression and they will laugh. You wont be made to eat any more.**
 * Do not touch someone on the head. The Thai people believe this is the most important part of the body. Never raise your feet above someone's head, this is an insult. Always remove your shoes before you enter their home. They are a very cultured people and are proud of their culture. Did in a country 95% Buddhist that they celebrate Christmas.**
 * On a personal note. I have eight children 5 boys and 3 girls. In 1986 a Thai girl named Nongnuck Thongkruha came to live with us as an foreign exchange student. She was an only childe and had lost her father 30 days prier to coming to the US. Talk about a culture shock! We called her NUCH! She came as an junior in high school. She spent that year with us and went home that summer. Before fall of the next year she called and asked if she could come back for her Senior year. It was like going to pick up one of my lost children at the airport. She spent her senior year with us and again went home that summer. We received a call from her and her mother in July of that summer asking if she could live with us while she attended College. Nuch ended up living with us for 6 years. To her I am Daddy. She calls me Daddy to this day. My grandsons name is Saharath. Nuch told me after he was borne that she wanted to name him this because in Thai it means United States! He call's me Grandpa! I tell people I have 9 children because blood doesn't cause you to love, it's in your heart. Nuch is one of my children! My grandson Saharath is 9 years old and a concert Pianist! When Nuch went home it was like loosing one of my children! I will always love my Thai Prices! Nongnuck Thongkruha!**

=A Brief History of Thailand= The Thais first began settling their present homeland in the 6th century, and by the end of the 13th century ruled most of the western portion. During the next 400 years, they fought sporadically with the Cambodians to the east and the Burmese to the west. Formerly called Siam, Thailand has never experienced foreign colonization. The British gained a colonial foothold in the region in 1824, but by 1896 an Anglo-French accord guaranteed the independence of Thailand. A coup in 1932 demoted the monarchy to titular status and established representative government with universal suffrage. At the outbreak of World War II, Japanese forces attacked Thailand. After five hours of token resistance Thailand yielded to Japan on Dec. 8, 1941, subsequently becoming a staging area for the Japanese campaign against Malaya. Following the demise of a pro-Japanese puppet government in July 1944, Thailand repudiated the declaration of war it had been forced to make in 1942 against Britain and the U.S. By the late 1960s the nation's problems largely stemmed from conflicts brewing in neighboring Cambodia and Vietnam. Although Thailand had received $2 billion in U.S. economic and military aid since 1950 and had sent troops (paid by the U.S.) to Vietnam while permitting U.S. bomber bases on its territory, the collapse of South Vietnam and Cambodia in spring 1975 brought rapid changes in the country's diplomatic posture. At the Thai government's insistence, the U.S. agreed to withdraw all 23,000 U.S. military personnel remaining in Thailand by March 1976.

**A Military Coup and Government Failure**
Three years of civilian government ended with a military coup on Oct. 6, 1976. Political parties, banned after the coup, gained limited freedom in 1980.The same year, the national assembly elected Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda as prime minister. Prem continued as prime minister following the 1983 and 1986 elections. Fleeing from Laos, Vietnam, and the murderous regime of Cambodia's Pol Pot, refugees flooded into Thailand in 1978 and 1979. Despite efforts by the United States and other Western countries to resettle them, a total of 130,000 Laotians and Vietnamese were living in camps along the Cambodian border in mid-1980. On April 3, 1981, a military coup against the Prem government failed. Another coup attempt on Sept. 9, 1985, was crushed by loyal troops after ten hours of fighting in Bangkok. In Feb. 1991, yet another coup yielded another junta, which declared a state of emergency and abolished the constitution. A scandal over a land-reform program caused the fall of the government in May 1995. A succession of governments followed.

**Economic Collapse and Subsequent Growth**
Following several years of unprecedented economic growth, Thailand's economy, once one of the strongest in the region, collapsed under the weight of foreign debt in 1997. The Thai economy's downfall set off a chain reaction in the region, sparking the Asian currency crisis. The Thai government quickly accepted restructuring guidelines as a condition of the International Monetary Fund's $17 billion bailout. Thailand's economy, while far from completely recovered, continued to improve over the next several years. Thaksin Shinawatra, head of the Thai Rak Thai Party, became prime minister in Jan. 2001. The hugely popular Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications mogul, was indicted in Dec. 2000 on corruption charges but acquitted in Aug. 2001

**The Violent Drug Trade and Insurgency; A Tsunami Devastates**
In Feb. 2003, Thaksin announced plans to eliminate the drug trade from Thailand within three months. When the operation concluded at the end of April, nearly 2,300 people had been killed. Government officials claimed responsibility for about 35 of the casualties, blaming drug dealers and gang members for the other deaths. Human rights activists, however, suspected police forces had been overly aggressive in their campaign. Violence has plagued Thailand's Muslim-dominated southern provinces since the beginning of 2004, with armed insurgents attacking police stations, security stations, and military depots. Nearly 800 people have been killed in the attacks, which officials attribute to Islamic militants. The violence intensified in July 2005, prompting Thaksin to declare a state of emergency in the south. Pattani Province was rocked by attacks in Feb. 2007, when some 30 coordinated bombs exploded at bars, hotels, and electricity transmitters. While the insurgents have been vague in explaining their motivation for such attacks, the most recent bombings suggest they are targeting Buddhists as well as other Muslims. On Dec. 26, 2004, a tremendously powerful tsunami ravaged 12 Asian countries.Thailand reported about 5,300 casualties .

**Fallout from a Corrupt Government**
Thaksin made history in the Feb. 2005 elections, becoming the first prime minister to serve two consecutive terms. His Thai Rak Thai Party won in a landslide. He was criticized during his first term for alleged corruption, for failing to control the insurgency in the south, and for an ineffective response to Thailand's avian flu outbreak, but his deft handling of the tsunami crisis increased his popularity in the days leading up to the election. A year later, however, Thaksin faced intense criticism when he sold his family's share of a communications company for nearly $2 billion without paying taxes. About 60,000 demonstrators gathered in Bangkok and called for his resignation. In addition, two of his cabinet members resigned in protest. Facing mounting criticism over the sale, Thaksin dissolved parliament in late February and called for early elections. He announced his resignation in April, just days after his Thai Rak Thai Party won 57% of the vote in national elections. After leaving office for seven weeks, Thaksin again returned to the role of prime minister. In September 2006, the military, led by Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, staged a bloodless coup and declared martial law while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was at the meeting of the UN General Assembly in New York. In October, Surayud Chulanont, a respected retired general, was sworn in as prime minister. The military council that installed Chulanont announced that a new general election will be held in late 2007, after a new constitution had been written. In May 2007, a constitutional court found the political party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Rak Thai, guilty of election fraud and banned it from participating in government for five years.

**A New Constitution and the End of Military Rule**
In the country's first referendum, held in August 2007, Thailand voted in favor of a new constitution, which set the stage for parliamentary elections and a return to democracy after a year of military rule. In December's parliamentary elections, the People Power Party, which supports former prime minister Thaksin, won 233 out of 480 seats in parliamentary elections, a clear rebuke to military rule. Thaksin, who had been in self-imposed exile in London, said he would return to Thailand but not enter politics. Samak Sundaravej, of the People Power Party, was elected prime minister by Parliament in January 2008, thus completing the transition back to democracy. Samak, a controversial and contentious figure, called himself a "proxy" for Thaksin and said he would work to tackle poverty in rural Thailand. In the 1970s and 1990s, Samak supported violent crackdowns on students and pro-democracy campaigners. Thaksin returned to Thailand in February 2008 after 17 months in exile. He said he was prepared to face corruption charges related to property he acquired from a state agency during his tenure as prime minister. In July, his wife, Pojaman Shinawatra, was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to three years in jail. Thaksin failed to appear for a court appearance in August and fled with his wife to London. He left behind about $2 billion in assets that was frozen by the military when it assumed power in 2006. He said he would not receive a fair trial in Thailand. In July, Unesco, the cultural arm of the United Nations, designated the Preah Vihear temple, which sits on the Cambodian side of the Cambodian-Thai border, as a UN World Heritage Site. The move stirred nationalist emotions on both sides and fueled the tension between the countries. Both countries moved troops to disputed land near the temple. Squirmishing broke out between Cambodian and Thai troops in October 2008, and two Cambodian soldiers were killed.
 * [[image:http://i.infoplease.com/images/mthailan.gif caption="Map of Thailand"]] ||



**The People's Alliance for Democracy and Protesting Status Quo**
In August 2008, thousands of protesters, called People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), staged a sit-in outside the government buildings in Bangkok, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who they call a proxy for Thaksin. Demonstrators were seeking to change the governing and electoral process that has empowered the rural majority, who PAD members say are “ill educated,” at the expense of the elite. The PAD has recommended introducing an appointed, rather than elected, legislature. About a week into the sit-in, pro-government protesters launched a counter-demonstration, which turned violent, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. The military and police did not enforce the state of emergency, however. In a press conference, army commander Gen. Anupong Paochinda declared neutrality in the conflict. "We are not taking sides," he said. "If the nation is the people, we are the army of the people." Samak was forced to resign in September when Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that he violated the constitution, which prohibits working in the private sector while in office, by being paid to appear on the cooking show "Tasting and Complaining." Somchai Wongsawat, the first deputy prime minister, became acting prime minister. Parliament elected him prime minister on September 17, 298 to 163. The unrest took a dramatic turn on October 7, when two people were killed and more than 400 wounded in fighting between security forces and anti-government protesters. Demonstrators, tyring to prevent the inauguration of Somchai, barricaded lawmakers inside the Parliament building and the army was deployed. PAD protesters were buoyed by an October ruling by Thailand's anticorruption court that found Thaksin guilty of corruption over a land deal. The court sentenced him to two years in prison. On November 25, the protesters shut down Bangkok's Suvarnaabhumi Intnerantional Airport, creating a national crisis and stranding tourists. The next day, Thailand's army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, urged Prime Minister Somchai to resign and call new elections. Somchai refused to heed Anupong's advice and then declared a state of emergency and authorized the police and military to evict the protesters. Thailand's Constitutional Court disbanded the governing People Power Party on Dec. 2, ruling that it engaged in fraud during the 2007 elections. The decision forced Somchai from power and banned party members from politics for five years. Supporters of Thaksin maintained their parliamentary majority and said they will attempt to continue governing by forming a new party. The ruling prompted protesters to end their blockade of Suvarnaabhumi International Airport. First deputy prime minister, Chaovarat Chanweerakul, became caretaker prime minister. Days later, on Dec. 15, Parliament elected Abhisit Vejjajiva, the head of the Democrat Party, as prime minister. Abhisit drew most of his support from the educated middle class of Thailand.

**Anti-Government Protests Continue and Turn Deadly**
By April of 2009, mass political unrest had returned to Thailand. Protesters loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, called red shirts, interrupted a meeting of Asian leaders that was being held at a Thai resort. Prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva quickly cancelled the meeting and declared a state of emergency. He then ordered the Thai army to break up the protest in the capital of Bangkok. On April 14th, the protestors surrendered and peace was restored to the streets, but Thaksin and his supporters had proven that they remain a threat to Thailand's political stability. Pro- and anti-Thaksin demonstrations continued throughout 2009, peaking in December when some 20,000 Thaksin supporters–called red shirts–gathered in Bangkok to demand new elections. Then, in March 2010, about 100,000 red shirts assembled in Bangkok and demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit dissolve Parliament and call new elections. Abhisit refused, but did agree to meet with opposition leaders. At the meeting in late March, he agreed to call new elections but did not set a timetable. Abhisit declared a state of emergency in early April after protesters broke into the Parliament building, prompting government officials to flee the structure By April of 2009, mass political unrest had returned to Thailand. Protesters loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, called by helicopter. The protests continued into May, with the red shirts taking over central Bangkok and essentially crippling the busy metropolis. In May, Abhisit offered to hold early elections—one of the key demands of the red shirts—if the protesters called off their demonstrations, but they rejected the gesture. Abhisit withdrew his offer and ordered troops to blockade the protest area. What started as a peaceful protest disintegrated into violence, and the military fired upon the protesters, hitting Khattiya Sawatdiphol, a general who sided with the red shirts. He later died of his injuries. His death sparked further violence, and the protesters retaliated with grenade attacks. The red shirts then offered to negotiate with government, but were rebuffed and engaged in large-scale rioting, looting, and the firebombing of several buildings, including Thailand's stock exchange and largest department store. The government cracked down on the movement, and on May 19, the rioters dispersed and protest leaders surrendered and will face terrorism charges. In the 68 days of the protests, 68 people died. The red shirts gained little from their protracted demonstration. If anything, it deepened the division between pro- and anti-government supporters. Abhisit introduced a five-point plan in June aimed at reconciliation. The plan, though vague, seeks to bridge the economic and social divide that led to the recent turmoil. In addition, Abhisit said he would move to put controls on the news media, which many believe stoked the unrest, consider constitutional reform, appoint a commission to investigate the violence, and reinforce respect of the monarchy.

**Party Backed by Thaksin Shinawatra Sweeps Elections**
Border skirmishes with Cambodia flared in April 2011, killing more than 15 people and displacing 60,000. This was the second incident of bloodshed of the year, and diplomatic efforts through the countries' membership in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) were unsuccessful. A shift in internal politics occurred in early July 2011 when the Pheu Thai party, backed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won a majority in Parliament, securing 265 of the 500 seats—enough to form a single-party government. Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, became prime minister, pledging to overcome the country's Thaksin-based divisions. Sensing the benefits of strength in numbers, Yingluck reached out to several smaller parties to form a coalition. Pheu Thai defeated the Democrats, the party of the educated middle class that had been in power since 2008.

**Peace Talks Proceed Despite Continued Violence**
In Feb. 2013, the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra agreed to peace talks with leaders of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), one of the oldest and most formidable rebel insurgent groups operating in the country’s south. The provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat are ethnic Malays and form a Muslim majority. Resistance to Buddhist rule turned violent in 2004; since then more than 5,400 people have been killed.

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