The hour I waited for the pain medication to take effect dragged on agonizingly.

Standing, a dearsome almond tree …

The mass demonstrations led by the Yellow Shirts since 2005 sought to expel Thaksin, whom they regard as highly corrupt, manipulative, and authoritarian – a major threat to the country's democracy, monarchy, and national security as a whole.

Most tatted up convicts wear long sleeve shirts to cover the tattoos and track marks.