TotallyOz Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 If you have not been reading the papers or watching the news, Thailand is once again in a mess. The "red shirts" who are loyal to the ex prime minister are rioting and trying out oust the current Prime Minister. In my old home of Pattaya, they blocked off streets and closed the a major summit. They have promised not to close the airports again but I am glad I am not there with all this mess going on. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7995065.stm http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008883 Quote
Members marcanthony Posted April 12, 2009 Members Posted April 12, 2009 If you have not been reading the papers or watching the news, Thailand is once again in a mess. The "red shirts" who are loyal to the ex prime minister are rioting and trying out oust the current Prime Minister. In my old home of Pattaya, they blocked off streets and closed the a major summit. They have promised not to close the airports again but I am glad I am not there with all this mess going on. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7995065.stm http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.p...NEWS=0000008883 It looks bad there from what I have seen on the news. Be careful and be safe, my friend. Quote
Members KYTOP Posted April 12, 2009 Members Posted April 12, 2009 Truly a sad situation. I have been following things on the Bangkok Post website : http://www.bangkokpost.com/ The present PM came to power on the protest of the "Yellow" shirts. It would now be hypocritcal to crack down on the "Red" shirts for doing much the same as the "Yellow" shirts did. Truly a sad situation and having been there many times it adds a different perspective I think of what is going on. Quote
TotallyOz Posted April 12, 2009 Author Posted April 12, 2009 Agree. Also, the Bangkok Post is the paper to read there. The Nation paper is one sided with the Bangkok elite. Quote
Members Lucky Posted April 13, 2009 Members Posted April 13, 2009 Beg to differ there, Oz. The Nation is much more intelligently done than the Post, which caters to a broader market. Nonetheless, there is no harm in checking out both when looking for the news. Quote
Members Lucky Posted April 13, 2009 Members Posted April 13, 2009 Thaksin sure looks like a traitor to me: Thaksin urges for more protesters By: BangkokPost.com Published: 12/04/2009 at 09:18 PM Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a phone-in speech to the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters outside Government House on Sunday night, calling on his supporters to gather and fight against the government. The deposed prime minister said he will return to lead his supporters, if a coup takes place. This would be the time for people to come out and revolt after the army brought tanks into the city, he said. Thaksin said that should he come back, the Democrat party will join forces with a 'dictatorship' and hurt people. He asked people to stay strong and fight for democracy for their children. "I will monitor the situation closely. Anytime the army uses force, I will return if necessary and I will not let influential figures pressure the people," said Thaksin. The self-exiled premier said he planned to make phone-ins throughout the night. Quote
TotallyOz Posted April 13, 2009 Author Posted April 13, 2009 Thaskin is a ass and a crook. But, like GW he was elected by majority and should have been voted out of office as opposed to ousted in a coup. That is IMHO. The new guy doesn't stand much of a chance unless things turn around fast. When things get violent, it is going to get worst over there. I hope that does not happen. Quote
Members firecat691614502759 Posted April 13, 2009 Members Posted April 13, 2009 Just to add some perspective from someone who is in Bangkok , rather then statements of chaos from news organizations and self proclaimed experts (not you Oz) I was also here last December during the Airport closings. It is the same this time. There is no chaos in 95% of the city of Bangkok and especially the tourist areas. Songarn festival started last night and there was much fun going on for the residents and visitors of Bangkok. I am not saying it is impossible to get caught in a dangerous area but it is unlikely and especially if you don't act angry to one side or another should you encounter a demonstration. Life goes on pretty much as normal and any injuries have been to Thais and superficial at best. Reports of gunfire early on were just that reports from people who don't know what they are talking about. Apparently this morning the Military fired some shots in the air to disperse a crowd. With people dying in Athens a few weeks ago and many other areas of civil unrest where people are dying, this is nothing more then an annoyance for the visitors who are in country. Quote
