BANGKOK NO LONGER THE SAME

Shalom All,

Greeting in the Lord’s Name!

Before I share about the situation in Bangkok, just to inform that we will be returning to Kuala Lumpur for a short trip from May 27^th to June 9^th, and then to Kedah and Penang.

The purpose of this return is to visit my family members, friends and mission supporters. Also, I have been invited to share the Word of God and the mission experiences to business groups and cell groups. Moreover, we wants to share our thoughts on building the gospel through Christian handicraft works from the poor to the rich .

Thailand is no longer the same due to clashes between the red shirts protesters and the Thai Government. It is all about power, greed and money that destroys one another. God reminds me that this situation is like Jeremiah warning the King of Israel on idol worship, power and greed, and then calling everyone to repent of their sins. But the King and the people did not heed. In the end, the Babylonian Emperor took over the whole of Jerusalem.

On May 12^th, we went to Silom to meet up my friend studying in ABAC university. At 4pm, we left Silom and headed back home. Around 7pm, trouble started in Silom. Earlier, I had thought of staying back at Silom to do my mission report but thank God for pulling us off from Silom before bombing took place!

On May 14^th, we were going to a cell group at Bangkae from Bangkhen, our home. We took a bus to Din Daeng, then a BTS Skytrain. On the way, the Thai army blocked the highway checking all vehicles for weapons, resulting in a massive traffic jam. About 10 mins later, we were informed by TV news that the BTS Skytrain would stop operating at 4pm. It was then 3.45pm. Without much choice, we looked for another alternative. When we reached Din Daeng, we walked towards Victory Monument. We saw many local people very angry with the Thai army blocking the road as they wanted to use the road to go back. Then we walked along the Phayathai Road toward to MBK. About half way at Pretchaburi, all people walking towards MBK, were required to register their ID with the Thai army for security reasons. Without choice, we walked to Prantip Plaza, Pretchaburi Road, the road was empty without cars or motorbikes. We saw a 7 Eleven convenience store half closed, and a few foreigners walking towards their hotel. Then we were at the T-Junction of the Pratunam and Central World. We saw and heard the redshirts talking while the Thai army stood by. When we were walking towards Indra Square, all of a sudden, the red shirts and local people pulled us into a corner to hide ourselves as the Thai army were preparing to shoot. Nothing happened, so we went out immediately to run to the back lane of Indra Square. When we reached the main road, the Thai army began shooting at the people not caring whether you are local, foreigners or reds. It was so scary looking at the army shooting and when the Thai army stopped shooting, the reds started to throw empty bottles at the Thai army. Then we left the scene and walked towards Din Daeng. Half-way, the local were shouting at the Thai army about to shoot at them, and so they ran towards the streets. Finally, we were able to escape to Din Deang and the redshirts managed to take control of a military truck and planning to burn the truck. Then we managed to catch a bus from Victory Monument back home.

That night, we watched the TV news about the Thai army starting their operation to take control of Rajprasong (Prantip, Pratunam and Silom) area after 8pm. We would like to thank God for protecting us and taking us out from the area in time otherwise we could have been shot dead by the Thai army!

On the May 19^th, we were invited by a church in Rayong (eastern of Thailand, further up from Pattaya) to share the Word of God, and to bring encouragement to the members. When we left for Fortune Mall, we saw a huge smokes in the city. Then we took a taxi to Ekamai Bus Terminal and the taxi man told us, he was not sure whether the road was closed or not but he would try his best to bring us there. He shared with us that one lady was shot at directly to her head and the whole Rajprasong was full of blood and dead bodies. Then we reached Ekamai Bus Terminal and immediately took the bus to Rayong to avoid sensitive areas in Bangkok.

When we watched the TV news, the Thai army won the battles and took back Rajprasong area. Most of the reds leaders surrendered to the police. This made the red protesters very angry and now that they do not have leaders ,they could therefore do anything they like. So they began throwing petrol bottle bombs at various hotspots area such as Central World, Siam Square, and a few big banks, Stock Exchange of Thailand, National Electricity of Thailand Headquarters, Central One, temple, MRT sub station etc. Even the Central World (used to be called World Trade Centre) almost collapsed and the insurance cost around USD 103 billion. My home branch bank at Central One also collapsed.

We will be returning to Bangkok on Monday taking a train from Bangkok to Hatyai on next Tuesday night. We are not sure whether the redshirts will attack the Hua Lampong Railway Station or the train. Also we are not sure whether we could safely return to our home from Rayong. Please pray for our safety during these trying times.

God Bless!

Blessing,

Rev. Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny P Kok