I had planned on heading north to Chiang Mai today. Instead, I’m wandering the streets of Bangkok again and impressing the locals with my white-hot, computer-tanned legs.

I’ve been in Bangkok for a week now and have begun to get the feel of how things work here, so I’d been contemplating a change of scenery. Chiang Mai is further north and theoretically cooler — it’s also much smaller, cheaper, relaxed, and more-easily navigated. So why the change in plans?

There is a mass protest planned for the capital this weekend, similar to the recent one that shut down the Bangkok Airport for almost a month. It’s being sponsored by the Red Shirts who are supporters of the recently-deposed Prime Minister (booted out by the military in a bloodless coup in 2008).

The Red Shirts are calling for over a million people to join in the peaceful protest, demanding that the government stage new elections. Supporters of the current, military-installed government — the Yellow Shirts — might clash with the Red Shirts at some point, though no one really knows what to expect.

That last paragraph is the sum total of my understanding of Thai politics. From what I’ve been told, politics here make American political strategy look like a game of tic-tac-toe. All I can add to the discussion is to point out that the Red Shirts never fared well on Star Trek. Which is why I want to stay, of course.

I have no idea what to expect. Tanks did roll through the streets last time and one protester was killed. While no one seems to expect any violence, I intend to be careful. I’ll be watching from a comfortable distance, preferably from a bar with a good view and some tasty snacks.

I almost bought that ticket to Chiang Mai. But, I’m not here on holiday — I’m here to see, to experience, and to learn. Just to be safe, however, I’ll be wearing a black shirt.

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