Thailand’s 4 year political upheaval seems like it never really ends – just carries on with different players taking the lead for a time.  At the moment the leading player is a group of largely rural Thais who form the “Red Shirts” who are demanding that the current government step down to allow for new elections.  The “Red Shirts”  are the largest voting block in Thailand and have been closely allied with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was deposed by a military coup in 2006 and is currently in exile facing corruption charges. please click here for more pictures

The tropical environment so quickly reasserts itself over man made structure.  Here are a couple images from an ongoing series exploring that theme

An Inodnesian Sufi man whirls in ecstasy before a Ramadan Dinner

“We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust” – Jalal ad-Din Rumi

I stayed on a beach nearby with a couple of friends and watched and listened (the explosions are really loud) to the remnents of the Kraktoa volcano erupt all night.  It is just amazing to watch the earth remake itself out in the middle of the Sunda Strait.  I’d recommend the experience to anyone.  More pictures here

Terrorist bombs ended an all too brief 4 year period of peace and calm in Indonesia last week.  As I heard the news and rushed over, I felt a real heaviness in the pit of my stomach.  I thought that Indonesia’s intense and often successful campaign against terror groups had put an end to the yellow tape, mangled bodies and grief-stricken relatives; and the feeling of dread whenever a bus tire explodes.  Its a sharp reminder that as long as even one motivated and twisted person remains at large, these things are possible.  Please click here for more images.