Pattaya in “lockdown” - Key Intersections Blocked in Bangkok

[Gaybutton]

The Prime Minister will address the nation tonight.

 

Also, in Bangkok reports are coming in that protesters are beginning to appear at various BTS and Metro stations. It is not yet clear whether they intend to block access to those modes of public transportation.

 

Photo from THE NATION - showing taxis blocking the Victory Monument intersections

 

The following appears in PATTAYA ONE:

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Pattaya in “lockdown” as the ASEAN Summit Begins

 

Pattaya is in “lockdown” at the moment as the City hosts the second phase of the 14th ASEAN Summit and related summits at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Peach Convention Center. As part of the massive security operation involving over 9,000 Police Officers, Police Checkpoints have been set up around the City and some roads in the South Pattaya area which were two way, have now become one way roads to allow for easy access for delegates to the Royal Cliff.

 

For those that reside in Pattaya it may be a frustrating time as traffic jams will become the norm over the next week and some may be subject to security checks. Our advice is to remain patient and appreciate the fact that some of the regions top politicians will be here in Pattaya and therefore security must be tight, especially with threats from Red Shirt Protesters who may bring their fight down to Pattaya which may see tens of thousands of protesters converge on the area.

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The following appears in the PATTAYA DAILY NEWS:

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‘RED SHIRT‘ PROTESTERS BLOCK BANGKOK‘S MAIN INTERSECTIONS, TRAFFIC PARALYSED

 

( photos can be seen at: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/n...eid=1&id=45 )

 

BANGKOK, April 9 - In a bid to intensify pressure on the Democrat-led government, the anti-government ‘Red Shirt‘ protesters on Thursday blocked key intersections in Thailand‘s capital, paralysing the traffic in the city.

 

Demonstrators led by Jakrapob Penkair, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), marched from the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda to the Victory Monument, the city's largest traffic and transport hub, to join about hundred taxi drivers who parked their vehicles blocking roads around the area.

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier dismissed the UDD's ultimatum announced Wednesday afternoon to three privy councillors and himself to quit their posts unconditionally within 24 hours, otherwise it would announce raising the level of its anti-government protest.

 

Metropolitan police negotiated with the taxi drivers to open traffic but to no avail.

 

Responding to Parliamentary queries over the road blockade by taxi drivers, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban, who supervises security affairs, said that police towing vehicles will remove the parked taxis as early as possible to reopen traffic.

 

The authorities are making helicopter-based traffic inspections from the air, report traffic conditions to the public to avoid blocked areas, Mr. Suthep said.

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit said that his government has prepared measures to handle the situation.

 

The premier himself board a Chonburi-based helicopter to inspect Bangkok's traffic bottlenecks and get a better understanding of the overall scene.

 

The protest leaders have changed their tactics, after announcing earlier that the UDD would remain at Gen. Prem's residence for at least three days.

 

(TNA)

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The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Police Ready Cranes to Clear Roads

 

Published: 9/04/2009 at 05:12 PM

 

The police threatened to use cranes and trucks to move taxis parked on roads all over Bangkok if cabbies who support the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) do not stop blocking the streets.

 

The red-shirt protesters began blocking key roads across the capital on Thursday afternoon to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign.

 

They gathered outside the the Constitution Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government House and Democrat party headquarters in Bangkok, and in Pattaya where the 14th Asean Summit is to begin on Friday.

 

Bangkok's traffic police commander Weerapat Tansrisakul said his men were trying to negotiate with the taxi drivers who blocked all traffic lanes around the Victory Monument.

 

If the talks failed police may have to use cranes and trucks to remove the taxis and clear the roads, he said.

 

The UDD leaders said about 20,000 taxis would block roads around Bangkok for another three days if the government does not meet their demands for a general election and the resignation of the foreign minister and three privy councilors.

[Gaybutton]

I kind of like the idea that the Bangkok police are going to use cranes and tow trucks to remove the taxis. According to the article, 20,000 taxis are blocking the streets. But the police are going to remove them with cranes and tow trucks . . . 20,000 of them!

 

Great! That may even cure some of Bangkok's usual traffic problems. After all, if 20,000 taxis are damaged to the point that they can't be driven at all, that's a lot less cars on the roads. Oh well, if you don't like motorcycle taxis, start walking . . .

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I guess I am really glad that my income doesn't depend on tourism in Thailand. I don't think the common people involved in these demonstrations hava any idea how much damage they might be doing to their country.

 

If this escalates...and especially if it affects the ASEAN meeting...it is going to get more bad publicity for Thailand. I wonder how much the unemployment rate will go up????

[Gaybutton]

I guess I am really glad that my income doesn't depend on tourism in Thailand.

And yet despite all this, the exchange rate is holding steady as a rock.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Just think what the exchange rate might be if the dollar hadn't been in such trouble as it is today. With the fed dumping more money, the dollar will go lower in most places...but might get stronger here because of all the local problems. Only time will tell.

[PattayaMale]

I was at The Bumrungrad Hospital from yesterday until 7:30 pm this evening (April 9). There was good reporting on blocked roads but no suggestions for alternate road use. My Thai friend who was driving was thinking we would be tied up in traffic for hours, but fortunately, the traffic on the route he took had no heavy traffic.

 

The heavy rains made it more difficult to drive. It took us 3 hours from Bangkok to our home.

 

My Thai friend usually doesn't say much about politics, but felt it really unfair to block people from getting home to their children after work and blocking the streets which affected 25 hospitals. He said they should be bombed!

[Guest fountainhall]

I don't think the common people involved in these demonstrations hava any idea how much damage they might be doing to their country

 

I was very surprised when my cleaning lady arrived today wearing a red shirt. I have never seen her wear anything but a pink shirt with the King's logo. I asked her if she was taking part in the political demonstrations. "Oh no", she said. "I just joined my friend to have some fun."

 

Strip away the activists and those paid by the convict Thaksin and I suspect there are many thousands there just to "have some fun." Sadly they have no idea of the damage they are doing.

 

I totally fail to understand how any government anywhere can allow demonstrations to get this far. They always seem to reach a critical mass after which almost anything goes - including airport closures. Yet, this bunch of Thai politicians has proved itself as clueless as its predecessors and they, too, are damaging the country.

 

I read in the local paper this morning that Thailand has come second bottom in an international poll about corruption in Asian countries. I am convinced that corruption is at the root of most of the country's problems - from politicians and land deals to armed forces protecting their airport turfs. I cannot see any way of this country emerging from its current paralysis until some government has the guts to tackle corruption head-on and root it out. Other countries have done it. But then they had strong leadership.

 

 

 

[Guest Oogleman]

And yet despite all this, the exchange rate is holding steady as a rock.

 

Yes. I find this astonishing after the past years events and economic crisis.

 

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Still no northbound traffic on Thrappaya Rd and no eastbound traffic on Theppasit Rd.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

And yet despite all this, the exchange rate is holding steady as a rock.

 

Any guess as to the exchange rate at the CLOSE on Monday...not the open, as that may not have had time to change much...but the closing on Monday??????

[Gaybutton]

Any guess as to the exchange rate at the CLOSE on Monday.

I hope I'm wrong and I hope the baht will take a nose dive, but based on past history I'm not expecting much movement at all.