Pattaya under Curfew (?)

[Gaybutton]

First, let me point out that I have not yet been able to substantiate this.

 

What I do know is most major businesses in Pattaya have closed.

 

I received a message just a few moments ago at 8:00pm, from a farang friend. What he told me is his boyfriend had just received a call that Thai television is announcing that Pattaya is now under the 8:00pm to 6:00am curfew.

 

Again, I cannot substantiate that. If I , or if someone else can beat me to it, please post once it is positively known whether this is true or just rumor.

[Gaybutton]

I can now confirm that Pattaya is under the curfew. It is being announced on television. I just received calls from friends telling me that the police are going around closing the bars and all other businesses still open.

 

The curfew is in effect for at least tonight. It remains to be seen what will take place tomorrow.

 

There is a second unsubstantiated rumor going around now that the Red-Shirts in Pattaya have taken over both the Tesco-Lotus and the Big-C in north Pattaya. That would be the Big-C in north Pattaya, not the one on Pattaya Tai and Sukhumvit. The Tesco-Lotus would be the one on Pattaya Nua (North Road), across the street from Pattaya City Hall.

 

I'm trying to find out if the Red-Shirts have actually occupied the buildings or simply forced them to shut down. Either way, they are definitely shut down for the time being.

 

So, what we all had hoped would not happen has happened. Pattaya is now under the effects of the protest.

 

We'll keep you informed as best as we can as the situation continues to develop.

[Guest njjim]

Just returned from dinner on 2nd Rd near Mike Shopping Mall, and The Avenue and Royal Garden are closed. Some bars are still open, some of the larger bar complexes closed. Restaurants seemed to be open. Appeared that more bars on Walking Street were closing as I walked through (saw a police vehicle with flashing lights, so maybe they were telling bars to close??? Don't know for sure). So might be a good idea to stay in tonight.

[Guest]

I spoke to some police in front of Central and they confirmed that the streets are to be cleared. I am looking out my balcony now and they have slowed down but there is still traffic going on.

[Guest]

Just heard from several boys that say Sunee is closed. Now, if Sunee is closed, that tells you that you should stay in tonight.

[Guest gwm4sian]

And also, all banks AND ATMS will be closed for 2 days starting tomorrow

[Gaybutton]

It has been reported that a bomb has gone off on Thepprasit Road. I don't know where or what anybody would want to blow up on Thepprasit Road, but a couple of my friends heard the explosion and the media is reporting it.

 

Also, I have heard that the rioting is also taking place at the Royal Garden shopping mall.

 

I wish to emphasize that both the bomb and the Royal Garden rioting is what I have heard, meaning I cannot yet confirm either of those, but what I have been told comes from reliable people.

 

And also, all banks AND ATMS will be closed for 2 days starting tomorrow

Yes, that is confirmed. I have no idea why they're going to shut down ATMs, but that's what they're going to do. I kind of have a feeling they may reopen at least the ATMs sooner than two days when complaints start pouring in that people don't have any cash and have no way to get any.

[Gaybutton]

The latest on the rumor mill is that Red-Shirts are threatening to blow up the oil tanks at the Laem Chabang port.

 

Regarding ATMs, now I'm hearing that the ATMs will be closed during curfew hours, but will open again during non-curfew hours. We'll know soon enough.

[Guest gwm4sian]

The latest on the rumor mill is that Red-Shirts are threatening to blow up the oil tanks at the Laem Chabang port.

 

Regarding ATMs, now I'm hearing that the ATMs will be closed during curfew hours, but will open again during non-curfew hours. We'll know soon enough.

 

All I can do is quote the government news site...........

 

All commercial banks to be closed on 20-21 May

BANGKOK, 19 May 2010 (NNT) - The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has issued an official order to halt the operations of all commercial banks during 20-21 May 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

and

 

 

BoT advises residents to withdraw cash for 2 days use

BANGKOK, 19 May 2010 (NNT)

[Gaybutton]

All I can do is quote the government news site...........

Nice of them to let people know in a timely manner. By the time I, or anyone I know in Pattaya heard about it, the curfew was already in effect and the ATMs were already closed. I wonder what they expect people to do who didn't hear about it in time and were low on, or even out of cash.

 

I don't suppose anything was said about why they're closing the ATMs, was there? What is the reason? If it is for security purposes, I'm interested to know just how much cash it takes to be able to burn tires, commit arson, and blow things up.

 

Well, for those who can't access cash, you can still use your ATM card to buy groceries, if you can find a grocery store open, and eat in restaurants where you can pay with an ATM or credit card. If you are in Thailand on traveler's checks, there are outlets that will cash them for you besides banks - if you can find them. Of course they have to get their own cash from banks, but maybe they already have a good supply on hand.

 

Maybe the BoT will rescind that order. I would think there will be a hell of a lot of complaints pouring in from people who are running out of cash and need to be able to get some.

 

We'll just have to wait and see how this one plays out.

[Guest ButterballBruce]

Luckily I withdrew a few thousand baht today to buy something which I ended up not buying so I have enough cash to last me a few days. Thank you for keeping us up to date Gaybutton.

[Guest]

A curfew must be a bit of a blow for anyone unlucky enough to be spending their annual holiday in Thailand right now?

[Guest tdperhs]

I have to remember to thank the hooker who recently stole my wallet. With the replacement visa card came a new pin number. I did not know the old one because I had never used it, opting instead to take the cash advance and avoid the 150 baht cost of taking cash. This morning I was able to grab a quick 10K before the ATM runs out of cash. Special thanks to this forum, especially the ever cantankerous GB, for the alert.

[Gaybutton]

The curfew has been extended for three more nights. The only time I've even seen police in Pattaya lately has been when they're clearing the streets when the curfew begins.

[Gaybutton]

I have just received word that the curfew hours will be from 9:00pm to 5:00am. That's a new time. Last night it began at 8:00pm. Now it will begin at 9:00pm and end at 5:00am.