Passing by Chinatown this afternoon, the vibe felt different than usual. Several pickup trucks pulled right up to the roadside, and heavily armed military police hopped out of the truck beds and surrounding areas, rushing straight into a building. Judging by the setup, something must have gone down inside—probably another raid on illegal businesses.
A street drink vendor and a moto-taxi driver nearby were whispering to each other, saying this kind of show of force isn't the first time they've seen it lately. This neighborhood is a mix of all sorts of people anyway, with plenty of unfamiliar faces coming and going, so there are always shady things hidden underneath. Local business owners say everyone needs to be extra careful these days and stay away from the commotion.
Local media reports that sudden raids like this have become a common sight in several key areas lately. For folks like us just trying to make a living on the street, the safest bet when you see this kind of scene is to walk around it, mind your own business, and keep your head down.
