Gaybutton Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Security Beefed up in Provinces PM, Cabinet Go on Tour Today, UDD Plans Rallies By: POST REPORTERS Police and soldiers in the provinces begin an unprecedented security operation today as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ministers embark on a tour to showcase government policies and tame "red-shirt" dissent. Security in 36 provinces across the country is being reinforced to keep United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators at bay. UDD leaders claim to have mobilised "red-shirt" protests at the locations where the prime minister and cabinet ministers will be visiting. Today's focus will be on the central province of Lop Buri which Mr Abhisit will visit. More than 1,500 policemen and soldiers will be deployed to beef up security. A source said Police Region 1 commander Pol Lt-Gen Chalong Sonjai and Lop Buri provincial police chief Pol Maj-Gen Sathit Tonsa-nguan yesterday called a meeting with senior officers to discuss increased security for Mr Abhisit. A large number of riot police will be mobilised to counter protests by the red-shirt demonstrators, said the source. National police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon has ordered police commanders of all provinces to maintain law and order during the cabinet tour. Early this week, the government announced that all cabinet members would visit 76 provinces over the next two weeks to listen to people's problems, particularly regarding the economy, and to follow up on policy execution. However, the move is seen as a bid to counter Thaksin Shinawatra's planned phone-ins to rallies of his supporters which kick off tomorrow in Khon Kaen. The opposition Puea Thai party regards the tour as an attempt to sway votes ahead of the next election. Maj Yongyos Khongcharoen, a former military officer and leading member of the UDD protesters in Lop Buri, said Mr Abhisit would be greeted by up to 500 UDD supporters at each location. He insisted his group would not break the law and would neither throw rotten eggs nor resort to violence. The prime minister yesterday shrugged off the planned protests, insisting he would be coming in peace to listen to the people's problems. Mr Abhisit dismissed criticism that the cabinet tour programme was to "check up on" state officials who may have sided with Thaksin. "The visits are aimed at creating better understanding among the public as the government has issued new measures and policies during the past two months. "It is necessary to get feedback directly so that the government can adjust its policy implementation according to their needs," said the prime minister. He insisted it was his policy that he and his 35 cabinet ministers get a first-hand look at the problems. He denied any knowledge of the massive deployment of security officers, saying the matter was decided by agencies responsible for security operations. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he was not worried about the protesters, but said they would be arrested if they threw things at ministers. Cabinet visits are also planned in the UDD stronghold of Chiang Mai, where Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan is scheduled to appear. UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan confirmed Thaksin would call in to address the demonstrators at about 7pm, to touch on economic hardship and social problems affecting grassroots people. Veera Musikhapong, host of the session, said tomorrow's rally in Khon Kaen would be free of violence. He said the government should not be surprised if UDD protests sprang up across the country, even in the Democrat party stronghold in the South. ______________________________ I had plans to do some traveling by car within the next couple of weeks. Now I'm putting my plans on hold. I really don't want to find myself having to go through police checkpoints every two minutes or encounter protests and riot police along the way. For the time being, I'm going to stay put! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 For what it's worth, I took one of Cathay Pacific's three morning flights to Hong Kong yesterday. The plane was around 95% full, with business class having just 1 unused seat. Cathay had planned to reduce from 5 to 4 flights a day, but seems to have decided to to stick with 5. Hard to deduce much from this, apart from the fact that Cathay's price discounts do seem to be working. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted March 8, 2009 Posted March 8, 2009 Returned to Bangkok this evening. Once again Cathay's flight was packed in economy and business - very few empty seats. How come tourist numbers are down??? Quote
Gaybutton Posted March 8, 2009 Author Posted March 8, 2009 How come tourist numbers are down??? There can be any number of reasons. The fact that your particular flight was 'standing room only' doesn't necessarily mean all flights are like that. It could be that the airlines are not running as many flights as they were a year ago. The real question is how many hotel rooms are occupied this year in comparison to a year ago. How much money is being spent in comparison to a year ago. Apparently, not nearly as much is being spent. Thai Airways recently reported huge losses. Another factor is the way people spend their money once they get here. Are people staying in the more expensive, luxurious hotels or are they now opting for less expensive accommodations? Are they eating in the better restaurants or eating in the cheaper places? Are they spending as much on entertainment? Are they spending as much in the shops? Are they staying as long as a year ago? All those things, plus much more, have to be entered into the equation. Quote
