Gaybutton Posted September 1, 2008 Posted September 1, 2008 The news we're all waking up to on the morning of Monday, September 1 is an escalation of problems and threats - from both sides. The Thai government is threatening to do something similar to what Ronald Reagan did in response to the Air Traffic Controller strike; fire the railroad workers on 'sick out' strike. For those of you who are wondering if all of this is having an effect on life in Pattaya, the answer is no, at least so far. Again, everything in Pattaya is perfectly normal and the only way you would know any of this is going on is by watching and reading the news. In Bangkok, as far as I know, none of this is occurring in the gay areas or major shopping areas. I would have thought all this turmoil would have a dramatic effect on the exchange rate, but so far the baht has remained relatively stable for the past week. Just for the record here are the opening exchange rates for Monday, September 1: US Dollar: 34.06 Euro: 49.81 British Pound: 61.445 Australian Dollar: 28.99 Canadian Dollar: 31.89 ____________________ The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Transportation, Utilities Threaten Strikes Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy threatened on Sunday to stage strikes that threaten electricity and water supplies in Bangkok, and to close more airports in the South. In Bangkok, the union spokesmen of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Metropolitan Water Works Authority said workers would take a one-day sick leave on Monday. Official Thai News Agency said the spokesmen threatened to cut water supplies and electricity to all police stations nationwide. Media reports quoted PAD supporters in the South as saying protesters could shut down seven airports. The claim appeared credible; the group easily shut three airports last Friday. PAD coordinator Sunthorn Rakrong told reporters in the South that he had the power to close seven airports: Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang. In addition, if they wished, anti-government groups could block all roads leading to the South, as far north as Bor Nok in Prachuab Khiri Khan province. Mr Sunthorn said he expected there would be large protests if Prime Minster Samak Sundaravey tried to enter the South. Railway service has been halted nationwide. TNA finally reported that all railway service has been halted in the North, even around the key city of Chiang Mai. Assistant stationmaster Silrat Deewajee said he had no idea when service might resume. The Transport Ministry warned the State Railway of Thailand union on Sunday it might hire outside workers to get the trains running against unless workers ended the sick-out they began last Thursday in sympathy for PAD protests in Bangkok. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ PAD Warns of More Airport Closures in the South By The Nation Published on September 1, 2008 The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the South threatened to close seven airports if Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej refused to resign. Shutting airports was one of the measures they planned to adopt, Sunthorn Rakrong, a coordinator of the PAD from the South said. The airports in their sights were Hat Yai, Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Samui, Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Trang. They also planned to block all roads leading to the South starting from Bor Nok and Prachuab Khiri Khan. As a last measure, they announced that Samak would be barred from entering the South. Meanwhile, the government yesterday threatened to hire new workers if State Railway of Thailand (SRT) staff go on long leave or strike work in a bid to pressure the government to resign. The government will consider hiring train drivers and other staff if this occurs, a minister said. The SRT operates at a loss and the agency relies on taxpayers to continue services. "The strikes hurt the public even more. I believe we can find people who can replace them. We can train them how to operate trains,'' the minister said. Meanwhile, Phuket International Airport resumed services yesterday and protesters later dispersed from the airport entrance, their protest site for three days. Phuket deputy governor Worapoj Ratsima and Wing Commander Wicha Nernlop, director of Phuket International Airport, told a press conference after a meeting that the airport would resume operations yesterday afternoon. Deputy Commissioner of Provincial Police Pol Maj-General Pisan Jundilok said security had been tightened at the airport but the crowd of protesters will not be dispersed. In the meantime, airport staff opened another entrance for both international and domestic passengers to access the airport. The protesters dispersed yesterday afternoon, saying they had been successful in pressuring the government and helping PAD demonstrators in Bangkok to continue their protest. Methee Thanmanatrakul, chairman of Thai Hotels Association in the South, said the protest had caused losses and tarnished the country's image as about 15,000 tourists use Phuket's airport each day. Railway services in Thailand's northern region have been paralysed after all northern line train services in Chiang Mai were suspended yesterday. Passengers have no choice but to change to other modes of transportation. An assistant to the Chiang Mai train stationmaster, Silrat Deewajee, said it is unclear when services can resume. The SRT labour union's work stoppage has disrupted train services nationwide. However, Chiang Mai airport is still open amid tightened security. In the South, Hat Yai airport resumed operations on Saturday after a two-day blockage of the facility. Some passengers travelled from Phuket to embark from Hat Yai airport as the island resort's airport remains closed. Meanwhile, Surat Thai airport resumed services yesterday after some protesters, who had blocked the airport on Saturday, dispersed. ____________________ The following appears in THE NATION: _____ Counter Rallies Mobilise By The Nation Published on September 1, 2008 The ruling People Power Party (PPP) yesterday moved to mobilise masses in Bangkok and provinces to join counter rallies against the anti government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). Thousands of PAD protesters still occupied Government House for the sixth day, paralysing the administration of Samak Sundaravej, which yesterday also resorted to a joint parliamentary session to try to defuse the PAD protests. A PPP source said government MPs, especially those in the Northeast, were ordered to organise at least 5,000 supporters per province to hold counter rallies in front of the provincial city halls. These counter rallies will also head for Bangkok if the PAD did not stop pressuring the Samak government, he said. "In Bangkok, we've also prepared to enlist supporters to join the pro government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship or DAAD." "These supporters are mainly those working inside industrial estates and factories in Bangkok's peripherals, " said the PPP official. The pro government camp also issued an ultimatum for PAD protesters to leave Government House within the next week or else it would step up its counterattacks. "If they're still adamant, our supporters from all over the country will join forces to help PM Samak to return to his office," Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, of the pro government DAAD, told crowds gathering at Sanam Luang. The pro government camp also threatened to set the headquarters of opposition Democrat Party on fire as one of its key members is a PAD leader. Pracha Prasobdee, a Samut Prakarn MP, said more government MPs would join the counter rally held by DAAD to show support for Samak. "We won't use violence. We will be peaceful and I believe hundreds of thousands of people will join counter rallies," he said. The pro government DAAD yesterday held a counter rally in front of Parliament as MPs and senators joined the debate on anti government protests. Besides the Bangkok counter rally, pro government groups also show up in several northeastern and northern provinces such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaing Mai and Buriram. In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, pro and anti government groups held rallies next to each other near Suranaree Monument. Police was told to be on high alert to help prevent a potential clash. Prapas Ngoksungnone, a leader of the anti government rally, accused the government of failing to tackle the hardship of farmers. The government has committed massive corruption and acted as a proxy of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said, adding that his group held the rally to protest against the use of force against unarmed protesters in Bangkok. Pol Col Boonlert Wongwatchana said more than 50 police were deployed at Suranaree Monument. In Khon Kaen, some 20 teacher groups issued a statement in support of Samak and condemning the PAD. Niyom Sriwiset, a teacher leader, said Khon Kaen teachers disagreed with the PAD and wanted the government to restore order. In Roi Et, some 1,000 provincial DAAD members also demonstrated in support of Samak. In Buri Ram, PPP MP Sanong Thepaksornnarong led more than 10,000 people from 23 districts in a rally at the Muang district office supporting Samak. In Chiang Mai, some 500 people led by Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul, chairman of the Federation of Northern People for Democracy, also demonstrated at city hall in support of the government. Quote
Guest Posted September 1, 2008 Posted September 1, 2008 This has been interesting to watch and also interesting to hear the Thai's version of things in Pattaya as they get the news from friends and from the Thai papers. There was a good New York Times article on this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/01/world/as...amp;oref=slogin Has anyone been to Bangkok and seen the effect this has on the streets and the flow of traffic? Anyone in Phuket now? Quote
Gaybutton Posted September 1, 2008 Author Posted September 1, 2008 There are now reports of a bombing incident in Bangkok. Apparently the bomb was quite small and no one was hurt. The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Explosion at Guardhouse after Parliament Meeting (BangkokPost.com) - An explosion occurred at the police guardhouse in Bangkok's Padung Krung Kasem near Pracha Kasem Bridge, opposite of the Teachers Council of Thailand, at around 1am Monday. The incident took place after the special joint session of parliament, aimed at resolving the ongoing political turmoil, ended at 12.45am Monday. The blast shattered glasses of the police guardhouse and nearby buildings, including a private school. The police investigated the site to determine whether the explosion was triggered by ill-intentioned people or caused by the air-condition compressor. According to People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, the group did not trigger the explosion at Padung Krung Kasem. He said other parties could be behind such act and wanted to blame the PAD. The anti-government group will continue to lay siege to the Government House, he added. Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted September 1, 2008 Posted September 1, 2008 I can tell you that there has been no effect from the protest and problems in Bangkok up here in Ubon Raathchatani. All government offices seem to be running normally, and my boyfriend says it isn't a big deal here with the people. I certainly wouldn't change any travel plans I had, although if going to Phuket I would plan ahead on my return trip in case of some closures. Quote
