Back online and back from Bangkok, Japan and Hong Kong

Hiya! Sorry for the long delay in posting, but after a successful trip to Hong Kong, Thailand and Japan from February 22nd through March 29th, I am posting some photos. Starting off in Bangkok, Thailand where the weather was warm and pleasent, the food most excellent (more later and where to go for chow and great local music) and the people with their warm smiles and gracious hospitality. I was sent to Bangkok by Getty Images to cover two days of the anti Thaksin Shinawatra demonstrations. Thaksin, the embattled Prime Minister of Thailand has been accused of corruption and abuse of power while in office and hundreds of thousands of people in Thailand have been marching for weeks demanding him to step down. He has called a "snap" election for April 2 when voters in Thailand will go to the polls for what the Prime Minister insists will be a referendum on his leadership. The election however is unlikely to end calls from critics that he resign after weeks of political turmoil. The main opposition parties are boycotting the ballot in protest at what they've described as Mr Thaksin's authoritarian rule. His unpopularity resides mostly in the big cities but in the Thai countryside it's a different story - with the prime minister enjoying great popularity among rural voters. Here are a few photos from those two days.A man waves the Thai flag during one of the many night protests in Bangkok.A young girl looks on during a protest near the Royal Palace in Bangkok.Two men stand and yell during a protest near the Royal Palace in Bangkok.
A woman carries a portrait of the King as she joins thousands of people marching in the streets of Bangkok.
A young girl watches the events during a protest near the Royal Palace in Bangkok.A man wears a bandana with the word "peaceful" written on it as he takes part in a silent protest in front of Government House in Bangkok, Thailand.
A man with the Thai flag looks on as he takes part in a protest in front of Government House in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sondhi Limthongkul one of the main anti Thaksin leaders greats the crowd during a protest in front of Government House in Bangkok, Thailand.