Any opinions on unrest in Bangkok this weekend
Jan 12th, 2014, 11:41 AM
#41
I am not in BKK, but here is a current article from the Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ngkok-shutdown
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ngkok-shutdown
Jan 13th, 2014, 03:16 AM
#44
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From the looks of things in photos from Barrow and my friends in Bangkok, I would say that Sukhumvit is shut down from MBK to Emporium. Crowds are huge. So far it's peaceful. BTS and subway still running. Malls are open, but limiting their hours.
Jan 13th, 2014, 04:52 AM
#45
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Update.
Sunday night some drive by shootings and one protesters was badly injured.
Monday traffic on the express ways and toll ways were very, very light. I visited 3 major stages and 1 sub stage by car and BTS. For those who knows Bangkok - a bit like what Carol said and from the national stadium to Central Chidlom the road was fully blocked. However from Central Chidlom to about Sukhumvit soi 13 the road was open but after that until the Emporium the road was blocked. At the Lumpinee (Silom road) stage traffic was also fully blocked off.
Basically for all the major demonstration sites the roads were fully blocked but for the minor stages only partially blocked. IMO no problem for anyone flying in from abroad to get to their hotels as long as it's not situated next to the demonstration sites.
No violence and the number of protesters was huge especially from around 3:00 PM onward. Only minor delays for Thai Airways and the staff joined the protest at the Lad Prao stage as expected.
If the situation remain like today then IMO you can still travel to Bangkok if you must. If violence escalate then I would stay clear.
Sunday night some drive by shootings and one protesters was badly injured.
Monday traffic on the express ways and toll ways were very, very light. I visited 3 major stages and 1 sub stage by car and BTS. For those who knows Bangkok - a bit like what Carol said and from the national stadium to Central Chidlom the road was fully blocked. However from Central Chidlom to about Sukhumvit soi 13 the road was open but after that until the Emporium the road was blocked. At the Lumpinee (Silom road) stage traffic was also fully blocked off.
Basically for all the major demonstration sites the roads were fully blocked but for the minor stages only partially blocked. IMO no problem for anyone flying in from abroad to get to their hotels as long as it's not situated next to the demonstration sites.
No violence and the number of protesters was huge especially from around 3:00 PM onward. Only minor delays for Thai Airways and the staff joined the protest at the Lad Prao stage as expected.
If the situation remain like today then IMO you can still travel to Bangkok if you must. If violence escalate then I would stay clear.
Jan 13th, 2014, 05:20 AM
#46
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Always discouraging to read about drive by shootings. That sort of thing should not happen! I hope they catch the culprits!!! Hanuman, thanks for clarifying the road closings along Sukhumvit. Pictures posted by one of my Bangkok friends would lead me to believe that the road was closed from MBK to Emporium. Four friends from Chicago arrive in the next few hours. Hoping they can get to their Sukhumvit hotel. I don't know where they will stay.
Jan 13th, 2014, 05:46 AM
#48
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They have threatened to but so far nothing to show for. Many, many more anti government protesters than red shirts around Bangkok and the largest gathering for the reds so far was around 10,000 and for the anti government protesters over 1 million.
Jan 13th, 2014, 02:28 PM
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Yes there are some red protesters in CM, Udon, Ubon etc but not in a big number and from what I see on the news only in the hundreds. A lot of the farmers who had supported them are now protesting in Bangkok as well because of the failed rice pledging scheme. The hard core, or the very violent reds like the one who torched Bangkok a few years ago, are still around but have not come out yet for one reason or another.
Jan 13th, 2014, 04:22 PM
#51
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Do the ppl who are "protesting" really think that laughing it up and clapping while happily walking around holding pretty balloons and hello kitty bags believe they will really dissuade the Thaksins into going away?
Jan 14th, 2014, 03:32 AM
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Since the topic is …"Any opinions on unrest in Bangkok" ….
Any foreigner, who has spent any time in Thailand, and has discussed anything political, has heard it, over and over: "Clearly you don't understand Thai people!"
And apparently, according to some people, such as Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, the Singha heiress, many Thai people don't understand Thai people either. And, to many, it appears that this lack of misunderstand is why Thailand is where it is today.
I have discussed this with many, very well educated, Thai people, such as doctors and lawyers, mostly very sympathetic with the anti-Thaksin cause. And, when it comes down to supporting their positions, it always comes down to "You are not Thai. You don't understand."
Now, I'm not trying to get your dander up; I am simply trying to understand. We are all trying to understand.
Can you try to explain why one side's corruption is acceptable, while another's is not? Or, do you actually, honestly believe that one side isn't corrupt?
There is one thing I do understand. This whole mess is very sad for all the "common" people of Thailand, from the average office worker, to the poor farm worker.
But, IMHO, the saddest thing is what the King must be going through.
The King of Thailand is one of recent history's most amazing men. The world's longest seated monarch, one of the richest men in the world, has dedicated much of his life to make Thailand a better place for his people and future generations.
Now, quite aged, and in ill health, he has been force to watch his people divided.
If Thaksin, his family, his cohorts, and everyone who even smells like him, were to disappear tomorrow, I don't see this division going away any time soon. The division didn't start with Thaskin. He just used it to his advantage and it has festered to a boiling point.
Once again, I am not baiting you. I am attempting to learn. And, I have always found it more educating to listen to "opposing" views than listening to the choir.
Personally, I don't have a side. I see both sides as corrupt. I see both sides using "the people" for their own purposes. I see the whole situation as a power play.
Now, without taking offense, please try to explain it to us.
Any foreigner, who has spent any time in Thailand, and has discussed anything political, has heard it, over and over: "Clearly you don't understand Thai people!"
And apparently, according to some people, such as Chitpas Bhirombhakdi, the Singha heiress, many Thai people don't understand Thai people either. And, to many, it appears that this lack of misunderstand is why Thailand is where it is today.
I have discussed this with many, very well educated, Thai people, such as doctors and lawyers, mostly very sympathetic with the anti-Thaksin cause. And, when it comes down to supporting their positions, it always comes down to "You are not Thai. You don't understand."
Now, I'm not trying to get your dander up; I am simply trying to understand. We are all trying to understand.
Can you try to explain why one side's corruption is acceptable, while another's is not? Or, do you actually, honestly believe that one side isn't corrupt?
There is one thing I do understand. This whole mess is very sad for all the "common" people of Thailand, from the average office worker, to the poor farm worker.
But, IMHO, the saddest thing is what the King must be going through.
The King of Thailand is one of recent history's most amazing men. The world's longest seated monarch, one of the richest men in the world, has dedicated much of his life to make Thailand a better place for his people and future generations.
Now, quite aged, and in ill health, he has been force to watch his people divided.
If Thaksin, his family, his cohorts, and everyone who even smells like him, were to disappear tomorrow, I don't see this division going away any time soon. The division didn't start with Thaskin. He just used it to his advantage and it has festered to a boiling point.
Once again, I am not baiting you. I am attempting to learn. And, I have always found it more educating to listen to "opposing" views than listening to the choir.
Personally, I don't have a side. I see both sides as corrupt. I see both sides using "the people" for their own purposes. I see the whole situation as a power play.
Now, without taking offense, please try to explain it to us.
Jan 14th, 2014, 05:43 AM
#55
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Now at Bangkok airport. Last night Thai Airways agreed to change our tickets so that we no longer have a stop-over in Bangkok. We have therefore just arrived from Auckland and leave for London in two hours.
I was greatly relieved that they agreed to do this despite the fact that we chose Bangkok stop-overs in both directions to avoid having to make the journey to New Zealand without a break!
I was greatly relieved that they agreed to do this despite the fact that we chose Bangkok stop-overs in both directions to avoid having to make the journey to New Zealand without a break!
Jan 17th, 2014, 12:49 AM
#57
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Jan 17th, 2014, 02:31 AM
#59
And I want to add, it's not without some concern or anxiety, but I've been following all the websites, articles and so on, and feel that we can go to Bangkok; I'm not minimizing the reality but will remain aware and mindful of the situation.
The buildup to this trip has truly been more stressful than any other I've made!
The buildup to this trip has truly been more stressful than any other I've made!
