AN Irish teacher living just outside the besieged Thai capital Bangkok has explained how many expatriates living within the city are angry and scared at the escalation in violence.

Dubliner Colm Brosnan, who is based in Chachoengsao, less than an hour from the capital, was an accidental witness to the first day of street protests as he walked through the capital with his wife Mipa last March.

What he saw was an almost festival-like approach to demonstration; an air of enjoyment destined to turn to bedlam, characterised by fatal shootings, burning buildings and the scrutiny of the world.

As Brosnan and Mipa pushed their way through the crowd they could make out a televised address from former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra – supported by the Red Shirt protestors – stirring up the crowd.

"I was at the very place where they set up their headquarters and where they have remained," recalled Brosnan.

"I was there with my wife and she was quite nervous. I heard the broadcast but I couldn't really understand it because my Thai is weak. But (Thaksin) addresses them a lot, it's no secret. He uses rhetoric to rise them.

"It was a party atmosphere. We were trying to get into a pub at the time and we were pushing through the crowd. It was a sea of red. They were absolutely fine, there was a very good atmosphere and everyone was in a jovial mood.

"They bring their whole family to this and it stayed like that, it kept that tone for weeks. It was only towards the middle of April that the first violence began."

And by last week things were a thousand times worse, the city torn apart by bullets and homemade rockets as Red Shirt protest leaders were arrested and the crowds quickly lost control.

But for Brosnan and the many expats living in and around the city, the Red Shirts attract little sympathy; there are suspicions that many are paid inflated daily wages to protest and their shouts for democratic reform fall on the deaf ears of those who believe democracy is alive and well.

"Everyone is tense and uncomfortable but we don't feel under any threat," said Brosnan.

"No one is going into Bangkok but I know the expats are really pissed off, especially in the areas where the mobs have been burning buildings and a lot of these people feel scared.

"The vast majority of foreigners, especially those who have been here for a while, are very much against the protestors mostly because of the links between them and Thaksin Shinawatra. He is generally regarded as an evil force in Thai society; he is ridiculously wealthy in a country that is ridiculously impoverished."

The Department of Foreign Affairs estimates there are around 1,000 Irish people in Thailand although few are thought to be in Bangkok. The Irish consulate in the city remains closed for now and travelling is not recommended.

"I wouldn't go to Bangkok now because the protestors are out of control," said Brosnan.

"People are saying it's going to get worse. I don't know what to make of that myself but that is what my Thai friends are saying."

For now the immediate future of Bangkok and its violent protests remains unclear.

"Most of my colleagues would support the government and most of the deaths have been protestors but it's not the case that they are saying it's 'only' protestors or that they deserve to die," Brosnan reflected.

"Most people just feel sad about the loss of life; they just want it to be over."