One police officer and three civilians were killed and 64 injured as authorities tried to reclaim the anti-government protest site at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok un Tuesday February 19 (see Bangkok Post).
But the try to clear the protests site by the government of Yingluck Shinawatra did clear nothing. On Wednesday strong protests were ongoing. After the protesters had blocked Government house, protest-leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday led about 20000 protesters to block Yingluck Shinawatra from entering the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary at Muang Thong Thani, which she had been using for cabinet meetings, as Bangkok Post reported. The prime minister did not show up.
Suthep Thaugsuban, whom the police has orders to arrest, was able to talk to General Apichart Saengrungruang, director of the Defence Industry and Energy Centre. Suthep called for the armed forces to side with demonstrators to quickly wrap up the campaign to oust the prime minister. But General Apichart insisted on no military involvement in settling the conflict, saying that political problems should be resolved by political means (read Bangkok Post).
The anti-government movement scored a major victory on Wednesday when the Civil Court ruled in favour of protester Thaworn Senneam's petition, prohibiting the government from abusing the emergency decree to subvert people's right to peaceful and constitutional assembly. The court by a majority vote ruled that the government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) cannot use force to disperse the protest, as The Nation reports.
"We deserve better: it's time to restart Thailand", wrote the former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, in the Financial Times. "Only someone credible and accepted by all sides can lead the reform process and manage the short transition to new elections in which everyone participates."
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Rice Policy of Yingluck Shinawatra:
Now Government Savings Bank under pressure
Thailands Governments Savings Bank saw unusual cash-withdrawals on Monday, after the Bank had announced to indirectly loan funds to pay farmers owed money under the rice-pledging scheme of the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. This is reported by Bangkok Post. The Government Saving Bank is stateowned. And it gave the loan to Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, which is stateowned as well.
Later yesterday the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives informed, that it halts the loan from Government Savings Bank until the Finance Ministry clarifies the legality of such loans, as The Nation reported.
Also on Monday thousands of farmers marched from the Commerce Ministry and other sites to the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence in Muang Thong Thani, demanding a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She did not show up.
14.2.2013
Will the Rice Policy of Yingluck Shinawatra lead to her end as Thailands Primeminister?
It looks less and less impossible, that Thailands Primeminister Yingluck Shinawatra will have to step down due to her rice policy. Thailands National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to bring formal charges against her for her role in the rice-pledging scheme later this month, reports Bangkok Post. The question is: Will Yingluck Shinawatra have to face charges of violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code for dereliction of duty? If the main NACC panel decides to indict her and take the case to court, she would be required to step down from all official roles.
The government rice pledging programme has beem critizied due to corruption and inefficiency already by many experts. One of the most important economic policies of the Yingluck Shinawatra government, the programme represents a guarantee by the state to purchase unlimited amounts of rice from local farmers at prices as much as 50 percent higher than market value, as Bangkok Post reported.
Right now Thailands rice farmers are protesting against the government, because they didn't get the payment in time. Yingluck Shinawatras government was not able to raise funds to pay the farmers. Right now there are reports, that rice mills could help the farmers and the government, as The Nation writes.
Later yesterday the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives informed, that it halts the loan from Government Savings Bank until the Finance Ministry clarifies the legality of such loans, as The Nation reported.
Also on Monday thousands of farmers marched from the Commerce Ministry and other sites to the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence in Muang Thong Thani, demanding a meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. She did not show up.
14.2.2013
Will the Rice Policy of Yingluck Shinawatra lead to her end as Thailands Primeminister?
It looks less and less impossible, that Thailands Primeminister Yingluck Shinawatra will have to step down due to her rice policy. Thailands National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to bring formal charges against her for her role in the rice-pledging scheme later this month, reports Bangkok Post. The question is: Will Yingluck Shinawatra have to face charges of violating Section 157 of the Criminal Code for dereliction of duty? If the main NACC panel decides to indict her and take the case to court, she would be required to step down from all official roles.
The government rice pledging programme has beem critizied due to corruption and inefficiency already by many experts. One of the most important economic policies of the Yingluck Shinawatra government, the programme represents a guarantee by the state to purchase unlimited amounts of rice from local farmers at prices as much as 50 percent higher than market value, as Bangkok Post reported.
Right now Thailands rice farmers are protesting against the government, because they didn't get the payment in time. Yingluck Shinawatras government was not able to raise funds to pay the farmers. Right now there are reports, that rice mills could help the farmers and the government, as The Nation writes.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Success for Antigovernment Protesters in Bangkok so far:
No Election Results in Thailand until now
Thailands government, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, held elections on February 2. But until now the Election Commission was not able to announce results. This looks like a victory for the antigovernment protesters around Suthep Thaugsuban.
The facts so far:
The Election Commission tries to make a descision on Friday Febriary 7, as The Nation reports.
The problems: 28 constituencies had no candidates; more than 12,000 polling stations were not open to voters; about 10 million voters were not able to cast their ballots; the advance voting could not be held regularly, a new round is needed, and 16 constituencies had only one candidate each.
The election saw low voter turnouts in many areas and millions of "no votes", in which voters cast their ballot but did not choose a political party or candidate, as The Nation writes.
Suthep Thaugsuban has announced he will lead a march on Friday to Silom to support rice farmers who are still waitung for the money, which the government of Yingluck Shinawatra has promised. Read more on The Nation. Meanwhile the government tries to arrest Suthep Thaugsuban. The Criminal Court Wednesday approved arrest warrants against 19 leaders of antigovernment protests, among them Suthep Thaugsuban.
The facts so far:
The Election Commission tries to make a descision on Friday Febriary 7, as The Nation reports.
The problems: 28 constituencies had no candidates; more than 12,000 polling stations were not open to voters; about 10 million voters were not able to cast their ballots; the advance voting could not be held regularly, a new round is needed, and 16 constituencies had only one candidate each.
The election saw low voter turnouts in many areas and millions of "no votes", in which voters cast their ballot but did not choose a political party or candidate, as The Nation writes.
Suthep Thaugsuban has announced he will lead a march on Friday to Silom to support rice farmers who are still waitung for the money, which the government of Yingluck Shinawatra has promised. Read more on The Nation. Meanwhile the government tries to arrest Suthep Thaugsuban. The Criminal Court Wednesday approved arrest warrants against 19 leaders of antigovernment protests, among them Suthep Thaugsuban.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Hard hit for Yingluck Shinawatra:
Her government cannot pay rice farmers
January 30, Day 18 of Bangkok Shutdown: This could be a turning point for Thailands Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra: Her government is not able to pay rice farmers before the election on Sunday February 2. It failed to secure massive loans to pay farmers ahead of Sunday's election. "This bad news is likely to hit the ruling Pheu Thai Party hard at the ballot box, after many rice farmers threatened to boycott the election or vote against the party if they were not paid before the election", writes The Nation. Pheu Thai Party had strong support from the regions with the rice farmers in former elections. But now the rice farmers have been protesting for weeks, because their payment did not arrive.
January 29, Day 17 of Bangkok Shutdown: What happens in the head of anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban? He gave a rare interview to Bangkok Post: About how the police tries to catch him, how he escapes, about the money needed to finance the protest camps. From 'shutdown' to 'paralysis': Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday announced protest marches for three consecutive days that will paralyse Bangkok and turn it into one big “walking street and picnic ground” for Sunday’s general election, reports Bangkok Post.
January 28, Day 16 of Bangkok Shutdown: There seems to be no end of the confrontation between the anti-government-protesters and the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The government insisted on Tuesday that the general election will go ahead as planned on Sunday February 2, despite Election Commission warnings over potential chaos and violence on polling day, reports Bangkok Post. In front of the Army Club a police member shot an anti-government protester. He was then attacked by anti-government protesters, as Bangkok Post describes. The so called Red Shirts, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, supporting Yingluck Shinawatra, has announced a mass rally for Friday in support of the election on Sunday, as The Nation writes.
January 23, Day 11 of Bangkok Shutdown: Suthep Taugsuban, leader of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), received a warm welcome by tens of thousands of Bangkok people and foreigners alike when he marched along Asoke to Wireless roads, reports Thai PBS. Meanwhile the government of Yingluck Shinawatra has announced, that it focuses on the arrest of the protest leaders, as The Nation reports. Under the emergency decree invoked on Wednesday, the government banned public gatherings of five or more people. But in the same time the government speaker said, there would be no operation to disperse the street demonstration... Meanwhile rice farmers waiting for payment by the government become a more and more big problem for the government, as The Nation describes. They threat to punish the government parties in den February 2 election.
January 22, Day 10 of Bangkok Shutdown: Thai military is ready to take action if the political situation turns violent, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said according to Bangkok Post. He warned that some groups were using illegal and violent methods to stir up unrest but they would not succeed. "I condemn these people. I have some information about who they are. I repeat my warning that they must not [use violence] again. We are gathering evidence so police can take legal action," Gen Prayuth said.
The anti-government protesters (PDRC) have seized town halls upcountry. In Narathiwat and Rayong state agency employees are off work for the rest of the week, as Bangkok Post reports. The Ratchaburi PDRC's protest was given a boost when farmers upset by the state's delayed rice-pledging payments joined its rally.
January 19, Day 7 of Bangkok Shutdown: Again bloody explosion: Twenty nine people were injured in a bomb explosion at the Victory Monument anti-government protest rally site at about 1.34pm. According to Bangkok Post an unidentified man threw an explosive device near a press centre tent behind the rally stage and ran off. He was chased by security guards and protesters, prompting him to toss another bomb.
On Saturday morning one protesters died after sustaining serious injuries in the Banthat Thong Road grenade attack on Friday. On Saturday protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban marched through Bangkok alongside the wife of the killed man. Read Bangkok Post.
January 17, Day 5 of Bangkok Shutdown: A daylight attack and grenade explosion injured 36 protesters marching on Banthat Thong road on Friday. The attack occurred at 1.04pm, the explosion hitting the protest about 200 metres from where PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban was leading the march from the Lumpini Park stage to Silom, Si Phraya and Banthat Thong roads. Read more on Bangkok Post. With anti-government protests looking set to continue, Bangkok appears likely to witness intensifying violence as days go by, reports The Nation.
January 16, Day 4 of Bangkok Shutdown: An M26 hand grenade was thrown into Suan Pakkad Palace on Si Ayutthaya Road, home of Bangkok Governor ML Sukhumbhand Paribatra on late Thursday night. No injuries were reported by Bangkok Post.Sukhumbhand is member of the oppositional Democrat Party.
Hundreds of Nonthaburi-based members of PDRC, the antigovernment-protesters, set up a stage in front of the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi. Nonthaburi is a stronghold of the red-shirts, who support prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. There are no signs of confrontations between the two groups in Nonthaburi until now, as Bangkok Post reports.
The Election Commission (EC) today sent a second letter asking caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss postponing the February 2 elections, as Bangkok Post writes.
The Bangkok shutdown has affected motorists above all but also hotels, tourism, information technology and domestic consumption. Read more.
The fact-finding committee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided to investigate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in connection with the irregularities in the government's controversial rice pledging scheme, reports The Nation.
Picture by Sora Wong
What antigovernment-protesters in Bangkok are asking for
January 15, Day 3 of Bangkok Shutdown:
The shutdown campaign helps to improve environment: In Bangkok there is a sharp decrease in hazardous fine dust particles in the air - due to fewer cars on the roads, as Bangkok Post reports.
Attacks fire up tensions: Tuesday night two people were injured in a bomb and gun attack near the Chalerm La 56 bridge, not far from the Pathumwan intersection rally site. Then there was a bomb attack on the housing compound of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. A bus taking protesters from the South to a rally site at Nang Loeng was set on fire, as Bangkok Post reports.
Rice-problems for government: The government of Yingluck Shinawatra is also under pressure on Thailands countryside. Rice farmers are complaining about payments, which are not coming. Rice farmers are threatening to block a major road linking Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, as Bangkok Post reports.
Yingluck Shinawatra does not stop February 2 election: After holding a meeting the Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared her government had no authority to postpone the February 2 election. But in the meantime the chances have not improved, that this election will really take place under regular conditions. Read more on The Nation.
Picture by Sora Wong
Anti-government protesters occupy Bangkoks streets
Day 2 of Bangkok Shutdown ended with prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra saying that she will not quit. PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed to close all government offices in the coming days, and threatened to "detain" the prime minister and all members of her cabinet and cut power and water to their homes. "I think they [cabinet ministers] should send their children and spouses elsewhere," Mr Suthep warned according to Bangkok Post. At 0.10am an explosion near Hua Chang Bridge, on Phyathai Road, was reported. An injured man and a woman were transported to Chulalongkorn Hospital. The bridge is metres away from the Pathumwan rally site, as The Nation reports. The shopping centres Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Siam Discovery closed early at 6 pm.
Day 1 of Bangkok Shutdown - how the protests have unfolded on Monday January 13, reported by The Nation and by Bangkok Post. The seven intersections Lumpini, Asok, Ratchaprasong, Pathumwan, Victory Monument, Lat Phrao and Chaeng Watthana were blocked by the opponents of the government.
Man shot near a blockade late Sunday night, reports Bangkok Post
Anti-government protesters began their Bangkok shutdown at several locations late Sunday afternoon, reports Bangkok Post. The People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters began blocking traffic and setting up stages at Pathumwan intersection, Lat Phrao intersection, Chaeng Wattana Road and Victory Monument. More roads around Lat Phrao were closed after midnight.
Updates about Shutdown in English on FM88 Radio Station
45 countries issue travel warnings for Bangkok
Bangkok Hotel warns guests not to wear red or yellow clothes
Picture by drburtoni
Bangkok Shurdown - announced by anti-goverment protesters around leader Suthep Thaugsuban has begun Monday January 13 and goes on. A mass demonstration of tenthousands of people is planned to oust the interim-government of Yingluck Shinawatra. What does this mean for Thailand visitors?
Bangkok may be will see the biggest demonstrations forever. May be not.
The latest reliable updates with maps of the demonstrations and the situation at the airports Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang you will find here:
richardbarrow.com
Bangkok Post
The Nation
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Suthep Thangsuban gave assurances that Suvarnabhumi airport and transport terminals will not be sealed off, and all public transportation services will be operated as usual, writes aseanaffairs.com. If this will happen is unpredictable. Passengers are asked to be at airport four hours before departures.
The traffic inside Bangkok will be blocked by demonstrations. It has been announced, that between 6 to 20 important intersections will be blocked. A map has been published by Bangkok Post. For tourists it is important to avoid these areas or others, where demonstrations will take place. In the past weeks there have been violent incidents during the protests. And violent incidents are going in: Seven people were injured in a shooting near the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) rally site early Saturday, near the Government Lottery Office and at Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, as The Nation reports. In Pathum Thani antigovernemt-protesters clashed with red shirts on Friday January 10. 4 people were hurt. Read more.
Thailands police forces recommend to use public transports on Monday: The Airport Rail Link, the Skytrain and the Metro. From Skytrain it's possible to change to Chao Phraya Express Boats as you can read here. The transport ministry has announced that there will be extra-parkings around the town, shuttle buses, more frequent railway trains, more frequent skytrains and more frequent metrotrains.
Thai Airways International will close headquarters in Bangkok, but the airline's offices at Lan Luang, Silom, and Suvarnabhumi Airport's departure terminal will be open, as thailandqua.com notes.
Hundert companies of police and military forces will be ready in Bangkok to care for security during the protests, as Bangkok Post writes. A military coup is not excluded, but does not seem imminent for the moment.
The German Ambassador has told Germans in Thailand to have enough food stocks at their homes and have enough cash. For the banks it could be difficult to fill up the cash machines during the protests, interruptions of Credit Card payment and ATM could also be caused by interruptions of power or the internet. The US Embassy in Bangkok advises citizens: "It is prudent to ensure you have a week’s supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged, and stock a two week supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine".
It is unclear, what will happen after Monday January 13. The government fears a military coup. Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thursday he does not side with any of the groups in the political divide, nor is the military waiting for the right time to stage another coup. But he said as well: "If one side breaks the law and another side also breaks the law and responds with violence, it will damage the nation and every Thai and no soldier could accept this”, as Bangkok Post reported. Prayuth added later: "No one will stage a coup."
What could happen in the next days? "The Nation":
Analysts say military aims to prevent violence, rather than stage a coup
And what if the govt plays soft? Moves in the days ahead by both the government and the PDRC will determine whether Thailand will find a way out or will be trapped in darkness for a very long time.
The Election Commissions is asking the goverment to postpone elections planned for February 2.
January 29, Day 17 of Bangkok Shutdown: What happens in the head of anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban? He gave a rare interview to Bangkok Post: About how the police tries to catch him, how he escapes, about the money needed to finance the protest camps. From 'shutdown' to 'paralysis': Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday announced protest marches for three consecutive days that will paralyse Bangkok and turn it into one big “walking street and picnic ground” for Sunday’s general election, reports Bangkok Post.
January 28, Day 16 of Bangkok Shutdown: There seems to be no end of the confrontation between the anti-government-protesters and the government of Yingluck Shinawatra. The government insisted on Tuesday that the general election will go ahead as planned on Sunday February 2, despite Election Commission warnings over potential chaos and violence on polling day, reports Bangkok Post. In front of the Army Club a police member shot an anti-government protester. He was then attacked by anti-government protesters, as Bangkok Post describes. The so called Red Shirts, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, supporting Yingluck Shinawatra, has announced a mass rally for Friday in support of the election on Sunday, as The Nation writes.
January 23, Day 11 of Bangkok Shutdown: Suthep Taugsuban, leader of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), received a warm welcome by tens of thousands of Bangkok people and foreigners alike when he marched along Asoke to Wireless roads, reports Thai PBS. Meanwhile the government of Yingluck Shinawatra has announced, that it focuses on the arrest of the protest leaders, as The Nation reports. Under the emergency decree invoked on Wednesday, the government banned public gatherings of five or more people. But in the same time the government speaker said, there would be no operation to disperse the street demonstration... Meanwhile rice farmers waiting for payment by the government become a more and more big problem for the government, as The Nation describes. They threat to punish the government parties in den February 2 election.
January 22, Day 10 of Bangkok Shutdown: Thai military is ready to take action if the political situation turns violent, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said according to Bangkok Post. He warned that some groups were using illegal and violent methods to stir up unrest but they would not succeed. "I condemn these people. I have some information about who they are. I repeat my warning that they must not [use violence] again. We are gathering evidence so police can take legal action," Gen Prayuth said.
The anti-government protesters (PDRC) have seized town halls upcountry. In Narathiwat and Rayong state agency employees are off work for the rest of the week, as Bangkok Post reports. The Ratchaburi PDRC's protest was given a boost when farmers upset by the state's delayed rice-pledging payments joined its rally.
January 19, Day 7 of Bangkok Shutdown: Again bloody explosion: Twenty nine people were injured in a bomb explosion at the Victory Monument anti-government protest rally site at about 1.34pm. According to Bangkok Post an unidentified man threw an explosive device near a press centre tent behind the rally stage and ran off. He was chased by security guards and protesters, prompting him to toss another bomb.
On Saturday morning one protesters died after sustaining serious injuries in the Banthat Thong Road grenade attack on Friday. On Saturday protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban marched through Bangkok alongside the wife of the killed man. Read Bangkok Post.
January 17, Day 5 of Bangkok Shutdown: A daylight attack and grenade explosion injured 36 protesters marching on Banthat Thong road on Friday. The attack occurred at 1.04pm, the explosion hitting the protest about 200 metres from where PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban was leading the march from the Lumpini Park stage to Silom, Si Phraya and Banthat Thong roads. Read more on Bangkok Post. With anti-government protests looking set to continue, Bangkok appears likely to witness intensifying violence as days go by, reports The Nation.
January 16, Day 4 of Bangkok Shutdown: An M26 hand grenade was thrown into Suan Pakkad Palace on Si Ayutthaya Road, home of Bangkok Governor ML Sukhumbhand Paribatra on late Thursday night. No injuries were reported by Bangkok Post.Sukhumbhand is member of the oppositional Democrat Party.
Hundreds of Nonthaburi-based members of PDRC, the antigovernment-protesters, set up a stage in front of the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi. Nonthaburi is a stronghold of the red-shirts, who support prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. There are no signs of confrontations between the two groups in Nonthaburi until now, as Bangkok Post reports.
The Election Commission (EC) today sent a second letter asking caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to discuss postponing the February 2 elections, as Bangkok Post writes.
The Bangkok shutdown has affected motorists above all but also hotels, tourism, information technology and domestic consumption. Read more.
The fact-finding committee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided to investigate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in connection with the irregularities in the government's controversial rice pledging scheme, reports The Nation.
Picture by Sora WongWhat antigovernment-protesters in Bangkok are asking for
January 15, Day 3 of Bangkok Shutdown:
The shutdown campaign helps to improve environment: In Bangkok there is a sharp decrease in hazardous fine dust particles in the air - due to fewer cars on the roads, as Bangkok Post reports.
Attacks fire up tensions: Tuesday night two people were injured in a bomb and gun attack near the Chalerm La 56 bridge, not far from the Pathumwan intersection rally site. Then there was a bomb attack on the housing compound of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. A bus taking protesters from the South to a rally site at Nang Loeng was set on fire, as Bangkok Post reports.
Rice-problems for government: The government of Yingluck Shinawatra is also under pressure on Thailands countryside. Rice farmers are complaining about payments, which are not coming. Rice farmers are threatening to block a major road linking Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan, as Bangkok Post reports.
Yingluck Shinawatra does not stop February 2 election: After holding a meeting the Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared her government had no authority to postpone the February 2 election. But in the meantime the chances have not improved, that this election will really take place under regular conditions. Read more on The Nation.
Picture by Sora WongAnti-government protesters occupy Bangkoks streets
Day 2 of Bangkok Shutdown ended with prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra saying that she will not quit. PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed to close all government offices in the coming days, and threatened to "detain" the prime minister and all members of her cabinet and cut power and water to their homes. "I think they [cabinet ministers] should send their children and spouses elsewhere," Mr Suthep warned according to Bangkok Post. At 0.10am an explosion near Hua Chang Bridge, on Phyathai Road, was reported. An injured man and a woman were transported to Chulalongkorn Hospital. The bridge is metres away from the Pathumwan rally site, as The Nation reports. The shopping centres Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Siam Discovery closed early at 6 pm.
Day 1 of Bangkok Shutdown - how the protests have unfolded on Monday January 13, reported by The Nation and by Bangkok Post. The seven intersections Lumpini, Asok, Ratchaprasong, Pathumwan, Victory Monument, Lat Phrao and Chaeng Watthana were blocked by the opponents of the government.
Man shot near a blockade late Sunday night, reports Bangkok Post
Anti-government protesters began their Bangkok shutdown at several locations late Sunday afternoon, reports Bangkok Post. The People's Democratic Reform Committee protesters began blocking traffic and setting up stages at Pathumwan intersection, Lat Phrao intersection, Chaeng Wattana Road and Victory Monument. More roads around Lat Phrao were closed after midnight.
Updates about Shutdown in English on FM88 Radio Station
45 countries issue travel warnings for Bangkok
Bangkok Hotel warns guests not to wear red or yellow clothes
Picture by drburtoniBangkok Shurdown - announced by anti-goverment protesters around leader Suthep Thaugsuban has begun Monday January 13 and goes on. A mass demonstration of tenthousands of people is planned to oust the interim-government of Yingluck Shinawatra. What does this mean for Thailand visitors?
Bangkok may be will see the biggest demonstrations forever. May be not.
The latest reliable updates with maps of the demonstrations and the situation at the airports Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang you will find here:
richardbarrow.com
Bangkok Post
The Nation
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Suthep Thangsuban gave assurances that Suvarnabhumi airport and transport terminals will not be sealed off, and all public transportation services will be operated as usual, writes aseanaffairs.com. If this will happen is unpredictable. Passengers are asked to be at airport four hours before departures.
The traffic inside Bangkok will be blocked by demonstrations. It has been announced, that between 6 to 20 important intersections will be blocked. A map has been published by Bangkok Post. For tourists it is important to avoid these areas or others, where demonstrations will take place. In the past weeks there have been violent incidents during the protests. And violent incidents are going in: Seven people were injured in a shooting near the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) rally site early Saturday, near the Government Lottery Office and at Khok Wua intersection on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, as The Nation reports. In Pathum Thani antigovernemt-protesters clashed with red shirts on Friday January 10. 4 people were hurt. Read more.
Thailands police forces recommend to use public transports on Monday: The Airport Rail Link, the Skytrain and the Metro. From Skytrain it's possible to change to Chao Phraya Express Boats as you can read here. The transport ministry has announced that there will be extra-parkings around the town, shuttle buses, more frequent railway trains, more frequent skytrains and more frequent metrotrains.
Thai Airways International will close headquarters in Bangkok, but the airline's offices at Lan Luang, Silom, and Suvarnabhumi Airport's departure terminal will be open, as thailandqua.com notes.
Hundert companies of police and military forces will be ready in Bangkok to care for security during the protests, as Bangkok Post writes. A military coup is not excluded, but does not seem imminent for the moment.
The German Ambassador has told Germans in Thailand to have enough food stocks at their homes and have enough cash. For the banks it could be difficult to fill up the cash machines during the protests, interruptions of Credit Card payment and ATM could also be caused by interruptions of power or the internet. The US Embassy in Bangkok advises citizens: "It is prudent to ensure you have a week’s supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged, and stock a two week supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine".
It is unclear, what will happen after Monday January 13. The government fears a military coup. Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said Thursday he does not side with any of the groups in the political divide, nor is the military waiting for the right time to stage another coup. But he said as well: "If one side breaks the law and another side also breaks the law and responds with violence, it will damage the nation and every Thai and no soldier could accept this”, as Bangkok Post reported. Prayuth added later: "No one will stage a coup."
What could happen in the next days? "The Nation":
Analysts say military aims to prevent violence, rather than stage a coup
And what if the govt plays soft? Moves in the days ahead by both the government and the PDRC will determine whether Thailand will find a way out or will be trapped in darkness for a very long time.
The Election Commissions is asking the goverment to postpone elections planned for February 2.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Big Protests in Bangkok - Areas to avoid -
How you can travel
November 29:
Many Countries now warn their citizens to avoid some areas in Bangkok, where big anti government protests are held. Among these Countries are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom according to Thai PBS. The protests are held in the government area around Democracy Monument. Some important tourist attractions as The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Phra Athit and Kao San Road have so far not been affected. A Google Map by Richard Barrow shows the protest areas.
Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport have so far not been affected by the protest and are operating normally. Due to the closure of important roads it might be difficult to reach some areas of Bangkok. There could also be a taxi shortage. Suvarnabhumi Airport advised travellers to be there three hours before departure. It's advisable to use the Airport Rail Link to reach Bangkoks city center. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are easily to be reached by Skytrain and Chao Phraya Express Boats (change from Skytrain Saphan Taksin station, walk to Central Pier Sathorn). Like this you avoid traffic jams.
Fore more informations about the protests follow Bangkok Post and The Nation. Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes daily updates with maps, where the demonstrations are taking place.
Many Countries now warn their citizens to avoid some areas in Bangkok, where big anti government protests are held. Among these Countries are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Norway and United Kingdom according to Thai PBS. The protests are held in the government area around Democracy Monument. Some important tourist attractions as The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Phra Athit and Kao San Road have so far not been affected. A Google Map by Richard Barrow shows the protest areas.
Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport have so far not been affected by the protest and are operating normally. Due to the closure of important roads it might be difficult to reach some areas of Bangkok. There could also be a taxi shortage. Suvarnabhumi Airport advised travellers to be there three hours before departure. It's advisable to use the Airport Rail Link to reach Bangkoks city center. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are easily to be reached by Skytrain and Chao Phraya Express Boats (change from Skytrain Saphan Taksin station, walk to Central Pier Sathorn). Like this you avoid traffic jams.
Fore more informations about the protests follow Bangkok Post and The Nation. Tourism Authority of Thailand publishes daily updates with maps, where the demonstrations are taking place.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Ferry between Koh Larn and Pattaya sinks
- Seven People die, Thais and Foreigners
4.11.2013:
After the sinking of the ferry between Koh Larn and Pattaya new questions abourt safety standards in Thailands public transport have been raised, as AFP reports. Police said that apart from the dead, all of the 150-200 others on the boat - including many Russians -- were believed to have been rescued. Nineteen people were injured. But nobody knew how many people were on board. "There's no head count", said a European working in the marine tourism industry in Pattaya. He added: "The boats are very old. There's no maintenance."
On Monday divers are going to recover the boat. On Pattaya's main pier the usual business was taking place on Monday. Double-decker wooden ferries were preparing to take tourists for cruises.
3.11.2013:
Seven die as Pattaya ferry capsizes, reports Bangkok Post. The tourist double-decker ferry from Koh Larn to Pattaya capsized about 100 metres off the main Bali Hai pier in Pattaya Sunday evening. More than 100 passengers were injured, about 10 seriously, including a nine-year-old Thai boy. Read more.
After the sinking of the ferry between Koh Larn and Pattaya new questions abourt safety standards in Thailands public transport have been raised, as AFP reports. Police said that apart from the dead, all of the 150-200 others on the boat - including many Russians -- were believed to have been rescued. Nineteen people were injured. But nobody knew how many people were on board. "There's no head count", said a European working in the marine tourism industry in Pattaya. He added: "The boats are very old. There's no maintenance."
On Monday divers are going to recover the boat. On Pattaya's main pier the usual business was taking place on Monday. Double-decker wooden ferries were preparing to take tourists for cruises.
3.11.2013:
Seven die as Pattaya ferry capsizes, reports Bangkok Post. The tourist double-decker ferry from Koh Larn to Pattaya capsized about 100 metres off the main Bali Hai pier in Pattaya Sunday evening. More than 100 passengers were injured, about 10 seriously, including a nine-year-old Thai boy. Read more.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Bang Saen Beach: Polluted by oil slick
13.10.2013
Bang Saen and nearby beaches have been polluted by oil slick
About 50 tonnes of oil found on Bang Saen and two adjacent beaches in Chon Buri have now been removed by a clean-up organised by the Sean Suk Municipality, reports The Nation. The the oil has been discovered on Thursday night. The origin is unclear. Parts of Bang Saen are still showing traces of oil and the beach will remain closed to tourists.
10.9.2013 Up to 10 tons of trash are being washed up on Bang Saen Beach daily
Picture by Twentyfour Students
Not amazing: A lot of trash on Bang Saen Beach
This is not the news you like: Bang Saen Beach, 75 kilometers south of Bangkok in Chon Buri, has a pollution problem: Up to 10 tons of trash are being washed up on its shores daily, as NNT reports. Especially during each monsoon the waves bring in, what river mouths in the area brought out to the sea: up to ten tons of waste and garbage. The local officials have to start cleaning up from 5 am in the morning to get the beach ready for tourists.
About 50 tonnes of oil found on Bang Saen and two adjacent beaches in Chon Buri have now been removed by a clean-up organised by the Sean Suk Municipality, reports The Nation. The the oil has been discovered on Thursday night. The origin is unclear. Parts of Bang Saen are still showing traces of oil and the beach will remain closed to tourists.
10.9.2013 Up to 10 tons of trash are being washed up on Bang Saen Beach daily
Picture by Twentyfour StudentsNot amazing: A lot of trash on Bang Saen Beach
This is not the news you like: Bang Saen Beach, 75 kilometers south of Bangkok in Chon Buri, has a pollution problem: Up to 10 tons of trash are being washed up on its shores daily, as NNT reports. Especially during each monsoon the waves bring in, what river mouths in the area brought out to the sea: up to ten tons of waste and garbage. The local officials have to start cleaning up from 5 am in the morning to get the beach ready for tourists.
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