Olympic Torch Paraded Through Bangkok
The Olympic torch made its way through Bangkok’s streets this afternoon with little signs of any disturbances. There were a number of pro-Tibet and anti-Beijing groups in the watching crowds, but the majority in attendance were there to support the event. With Thailand’s (and Bangkok’s) sizeable ethnic Chinese population this was no real surprise. The 3-hour long parade started off in Chinatown before winding its way around some of Bangkok’s landmarks.
In the lead up to the event, security had been beefed up and there were some typically forthright opinions voiced by Prime Minister Samak who had warned that protests would not be tolerated. The torch now leaves Thailand for the next legs of the relay in Malaysia and Indonesia.