Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by เกรซ (Grace OFlanagan) on November 26, 2008 at 3:54pm

I think things will calm down soon, though I have my ideas as to what will happen. I think the current tactics of the PAD are not going to help it's cause. Most of my friends here are sympathetic to the PAD, but this morning the friend I stay with was very shocked at the events overnight, in one case PAD supporters using guns against taxi drivers armed with sticks. Hmmm, in my thinking they are bringing themselves down to the level of those who have thrown bombs into PAD rallies.. Personally I think taking the high road when it comes to violence would be much more productive for them. I have thought for a while though that the most likely scenario is that another coup will happen and actually that may be the only solution. It is very quite here where I am, in Nonthaburi.

Grace

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Permalink Reply by tracey sadie anderson on November 26, 2008 at 4:35pm

I really don't know much about the polotics in Thailand. But I heard this morning about the events in Bangkok. I would really love to hear from you, more about this current situation. I'm hoping to travel to Thailand in feb/march.

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Permalink Reply by jeff on November 26, 2008 at 9:25pm

i am disheartened that that one para-military guy shot his gun, but i fully agree with what the pad is doing. i may not agree with all of their reasons, but there are a great number of people who see this as a potential means to an end of corruption in the upper tiers of politics.
in studying thai history and current politics i see that the democratic system does have some problems that are being worked out. i feel that this is part of that. most of the people i speak with agree with the p.a.d. and understand both sides. thaksin and his supporters do have good ideas for prosperity now, but those that prosper are a very small number of people and mostly those who are already well-off. the cost is a greater and greater disparity between the rich and poor. soon (if not already) thailand will be two countries in one - the rich person's thailand and the poor's. the esarn farmer for example is getting totally shafted. many may argue that they are the biggest supporters, but if you examine the voting policy it is very easy to buy the headman's vote who then votes for his entire town (my friend's father is headman and he declined the "bribe" to vote ppp).
i have yet to fully research it, but from my initial studies, it was thaksin's break with the king's plan (and his attempt to sell off rights to the states) that brought his downfall. ppp = get rich now and forget about thai people. the alternative sought is to go slow and steady, but bring the whole country up in prosperity at the same time (the King's plan).
my mother is visiting now so i hope the airport gets resolved but i think now that the story has hit the news it is going to be a quiet tourist season. its a shame as it has such a small affect on the whole of thailand or its people. even those in bkk feel little effect unless they try to drive through the gov. district.
wow, wordy...
short if a coup occurs, long (at least 2 weeks-1 month) if it is dealt with like it has been for the last 3 months...the airport has got to be more comfortable than the gov. house

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Permalink Reply by suvisa on November 26, 2008 at 9:30pm

I don't know.I hope everything will calm down soon.

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Permalink Reply by Tony James on November 27, 2008 at 6:36am

In Australia Demonstrations are well tolerated.Its what Democracy provides for.However when Demonstrations threaten public safety,when violence is introduced we face disturbing choices.
Regardless of the "RIGHT" of a cause,violence in demonstrations is taking arms against the principles by which we are governed.The principles by which we are protected.If our police forces fail and the Military is invoked we risk much.To much.While a cause may be "RIGHT" it risks destroying the very mechanism that allows it to be a "cause".Ghandi proved that peacefull demonstrationn works.But he also knew that to be effective he would have to encourage support at the grass roots level.PAD while it is well intentioned is primarily Urban.Ghandi proved that groundswell for change needed to come from the poor.Those that were the most disaffected.Jeffs comments are interesting,as are all.but more so in that he hints at the possible source of the problem in the "buying of votes" through the headman.Democracy is best pursued with individual voting.It appears from most commentaries I have read that little will change until this grass roots problem is solved.PAD may well force the current Government from power but it is more likely than not that at a new election the same style of government will be re- elected.Ghandi,Mao Tse Tung,Ho Chi Minh knew that for change to be effective it would have to come from the rice fields.From the belly of a nation not the head.A bowl of insects is not equal to a bowl of rice.I am not being critical of PAD as an organisation but I do feel that that banging your head against a wall to get the same result doesnt make sense.Thailand is a great country with great people and has for some inextricable reason a special place in my heart.I hope as a falang I have not offended any of the Thai readers on this site and pray that things will be resolved soon.

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Permalink Reply by enzo on November 28, 2008 at 6:22am

it is confronting the govt most directly this way, hitting them financially, and keeping the politicians in chieng mai meeting without a means of flying into bangkok, but seeing as the global financial crisis has hit thailand's tourist market, this is making it harder yet for the buisness already suffering, and could turn some people off in their support for democratic change as things get tougher.
besides, i fear the military getting rough with them, and i am on pins and needles everyday this goes on, as we are in bangkok, and are watching the news closely.
it really feels like north against south, not truly,but with the support for the govt up north, due much in part, if not all, because of the payoffs, and the south where they saw the abuse of power and kickbacks firsthand and want accountability and transparency.
thailand is such a beautiful country,with some of the most kind hearted people anywhere, and to see politicians take the wealth and abuse their office, quite simply keeps many of the poorest people down. if there was better industry , jobs, and education, thus creating opportunities to provide for onself, i dare say there would be far `less of the "bar" and "special massage" jobs that many take and wind up jumping for the money the boatloads of foreigners dangle before them. they take the easy money, but being 19, and having a 65 year` old boyfriend, well, quite frankly put, that is not normal by any stretch of the imagination, and many, many thai's dont think it's normal either, of that you can be sure.

we need change here, in the form of a strong economy, and hopefully peacefully that change will happen.

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Permalink Reply by TheCute on November 28, 2008 at 8:06am

This is an Announcement from TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand)
I got it by e-mail as I work in this field

SITUATION UPDATE
Temporary Closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport
As of November 27, 2008 / 15.00 hrs. (Bangkok Time)

 November 26, 2008 / 22.00 hrs.
Addressing the Kingdom from Chiang Mai in a broadcast on all TV channels, H.E. Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, the Prime Minister, condemned the seizure of the airport, calling it illegal, undemocratic and a threat to the well-being of the country. He vowed to convene an urgent Cabinet meeting on November 27, 2008, to discuss measures that could bring the situation back to normal.

 November 27, 2008 / 10.00 hrs.
Don Mueang International Airport suspended operations since 01.00 hrs. This led to the cancellation of all domestic flights.

 For security reasons, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has been closed as from Tuesday, November 25, 21.00 hrs. until now. All inbound and outbound flights from the airport have been cancelled.

 Chiang Mai International Airport, Phuket International Airport, Chiang Rai International Airport, Hat Yai International Airport, Khon Kaen Airport, Krabi Airport, Phitsanulok Airport, Samui Airport, Sukhothai Airport, Surat Thani Airport, Ubon Ratchathani Airport, and Udon Thani International Airport are all operating normally.

 There has been no declaration of a State of Emergency.

 TAT is cooperating with the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), AoT, and Thai Airways (TG) to set up a Crisis Networking Centre on the fourth floor of the Departure Terminal in Suvarnabhumi International Airport in order to facilitate the stranded passengers and tourists until the airport resumes normal operations.

 The 35 TAT local offices have been told to facilitate tourists travelling at the various tourist destinations in Thailand, as well as those who are waiting for flights at provincial airports.

 TAT in cooperation with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and Association of Thai Travel Agents (THA) transferred the remaining stranded passengers to the following hotels:



1. Regent Suvarnabhumi Hotel
Address: 30/1 – 32/1 Soi Ladkrabung 22, Ladkrabung District, Bangkok 10520
Tel: 02-326-7138-43
Contact person: Khun Pitchaya (Tel: 081-255-4833)

2. Twin Towers Hotel
Address: 88 New Rama 6 Rd. Rongmuang, Pratumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02-216-9555-6
Contact person: Khun Nalinee (Tel: 085-075-9998)
Khun Watchirachai (Tel: 081-831-5554)
3. Ibis Hotel
Address: 5 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 15, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Bangkok 10240
Tel: 02-308-7888
Contact person: Khun Duangkamol (Tel: 089-892-4851)

4. Eastin Hotel
Address: 1091/343 New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-651-7600
E-mail [email protected]

5. The Centric Ratchada
Address: 502/29 Soi Yuchroen, Asoke-Dindaeng Road, Dindang, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-246-0909
E-mail [email protected]

6. Ambassador Hotel Bangkok
Address: 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-254-0444
E-mail [email protected]

 Besides the above, the Rose Garden Riverside Hotel at Petchkasem Road, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom (Tel: +66 34-322-544, +66 34-322-545, +66 34-322-588) has announced welcoming the stranded passengers stay with the hotel during 26-27 November, 2008. Also, the Hotel Sofitel Central Grand Bangkok at Phaholyothin Road has been welcoming their guests, who just checked out from the hotel and could not fly to their home country due to the closure of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, back to the hotel without any charge.

 On the basis of assistance, TAT has provided accommodation and meals, as well as facilitated tourists as much as possible until they are able to return home. For more information regarding accommodation, please contact the Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Management Centre (TIC) – Tel. 02-253-5500 / 02-253-8844 / 02-652-8313, or Fax 02-652-8315.

 THAI has provided accommodation for passengers who were unable to travel from Bangkok to 15 hotels including The Emerald, Indra Regent, Rama Garden, Ambassador, Amari Airport, Radisson, Amari Atrium, Fortune, Amari Boulevard. For further information on flight schedules, reservations and latest updates during this period, passengers may contact THAI’s Contact Centre at Tel. 02-545-3181, 02-356-1111, or 02-545-4000 or visit www.thaiairways.com.

 Since operations at the airport have not yet been resumed, for more information on other flights, please contact the following numbers:

o Don Mueang Airport 02-535-1669 / 02-535-1616
 Public Relations 02-535-1253
 Bangkok Airways 02-265-5678
www.bangkokairways.com
 Hot Line Bangkok Airways 1771
 Nok Air 02-627-2000
 Air Asia 02-515-9999
www.airasia.com
 PB Air 02-261-0220-5
www.pbair.com
o Suvarnabhumi International Airport 02-132-1888 / 02-132-1882
 Flight Information 02-132-000 / 02-132-9328-9
 Security Centre 02-132-4310 / 02-132-4000
02-535-1669
o Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Emergency Centre (24 Hours) 02-643-5522
 Fax 02-643-5521
o Hot Line Tourist Police 1155


International Public Relations Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Fax: 66 253 7419 E-mail: [email protected]

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Permalink Reply by TheCute on November 28, 2008 at 8:07am

More in formation :

RELEASE

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) provides assistance to the stranded passengers.

November 27, 2008 / 12.00 hrs.
Due to the Airports of Thailand (AoT)’s suspension of services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, all inbound and outbound flights were cancelled since 04.00 hrs. during 25-26 November 2008, causing inconvenience to over 3,000 passengers. The stranded passengers who fly with THAI have been accommodated by Thai Airways International.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in cooperation with the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) and Association of Thai Travel Agents (THA) transferred the remaining stranded passengers to the following hotels:

1. Regent Suvarnabhumi Hotel
Address: 30/1 – 32/1 Soi Ladkrabung 22, Ladkrabung District, Bangkok 10520
Tel: 02-326-7138-43
Contact person: Khun Pitchaya (Tel: 081-255-4833)

2. Twin Towers Hotel
Address: 88 New Rama 6 Rd. Rongmuang, Pratumwan, Bangkok 10330
Tel: 02-216-9555-6
Contact person: Khun Nalinee (Tel: 085-075-9998)
Khun Watchirachai (Tel: 081-831-5554)
3. IBIS Hotel
Address: 5 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 15, Ramkhamhaeng Rd., Bangkok 10240
Tel: 02-308-7888
Contact person: Khun Duangkamol (Tel: 089-892-4851)


4. Eastin Hotel
Address: 1091/343 New Petchburi Road, Makkasan, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-651-7600
E-mail [email protected]
5. The Centric Ratchada
Address: 502/29 Soi Yuchroen, Asoke-Dindaeng Road, Dindang, Bangkok 10400
Tel: 02-246-0909
E-mail [email protected]
6. Ambassador Hotel Bangkok
Address: 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02-254-0444
E-mail [email protected]

On the basis of assistance, TAT has provided accommodation and meals, as well as facilitated tourists as much as possible until they are able to return home. For more information regarding accommodation , please contact the Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Management Centre (TIC) – Tel 02-253-5500 / 02-253-8844 / 02-652-8313, or Fax 02-652-8315

Besides the above, the Rose Garden Riverside Hotel at Petchkasem Road, Sampran, Nakhon Pathom (Tel: +66 34-322-544, +66 34-322-545, +66 34-322-588) has announced welcoming the stranded passengers stay with the hotel during 26-27 November 2008. Also, the Hotel Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok at Phaholyothin Road has been welcoming their guests, who just checked out from the hotel and cannot fly to their home country due to the temporary closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, back to the hotel without charges.



International Public Relations Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Fax: 66 253 7419 E-mail: [email protected]

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Permalink Reply by เกรซ (Grace OFlanagan) on December 2, 2008 at 1:34pm

Sorry I haven't been online much,... Just seems very occupied by other things. I just heard though that the PPP and their allies have been dissolved by the Constitutional Court - not sure what ultimately will be the outcome though as the PPP has found another party to serve as a shell for it. And there may be more confrontations with between the yellow shirt and red shirt groups. I am staying with a friend here and her mother and father called her and told her to avoid PAD rallies over the weekend because they heard that bloodshed was imminent but police attempts to disperse the PAD at the airport fizzled... I have just scanned the posts here,... Personally I have leaned towards sympathy for the PAD for along time, even when I first came to visit Thailand in 2006 when they were trying to get Thaksin out... I interviewed for a job yesterday, and severalof the students in the classes asked me how I felt about the situation and Ipretty much sidestepped that issue other than to say I'm not worried. (Jeff do they always use miccrophones here in classes... :()

Anyway, I hope that Thailand's tomorrow is as peaceful and beautiful as it should be...

Grace

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Permalink Reply by Tony James on December 3, 2008 at 6:46pm

Now that the Court has ruled and PAD have left the airport the question on tactics remains and the damage counted.On the subject of tactics it appears there will be not be another election and the PPP will just reorganise under another banner.As to the damage.Well we know 2 German tourists died in a car accident while driving to Phukett and in an attempt to fly out of Thailand.
Australian tourists were bused to Phukett and flown out on special charter flights organised by the Australian Government.Those flights are arriving in Australia now and the comments are very sad.These were special charters specifically for the older generation and those who had become sick while waiting at Suvarnabhumi Airport.Most have said ,that while they understand the reasons for the demonstrations,they will not risk returning to Bpra-tayt tai for a holiday.The older generation of Australians have the highest level of disposable income and are the ones that Tourism needs more than say backpackers.This style of tourist generally has substantially more to spend and generally spends it.Without singing my praises when I stay in a Hotel in Thailand and vacate the room I always leave several hundred baht on the baggage rack.I tip more often than not except when I receive bad or rude service.I do this because I appreciate the things that Thailand offers me.I suspect the Lady that kept my room so meticulously clean during my last trip would have little to say on PADS tactics.I know for a fact my fien will say nothing on the subject.But I suspect that the Lady who kept my room will sorely miss that extra few baht that may come her way.As would any Hospitality worker around the world.So for me I feel that PAD have not been good to those people they have sought to protect-those without voices or those who are taught to avoid confrontation.During this time I was expecting an import order from Changmai.As an airfreight item I couldnt get it.When the order finally arrives it will not be of any use.My buyers have gone elsewhere.Will this be a oneoff "understandable''demonstration or is there a chance that it may happen again if PAD do not want get what they want?Is it a tactic the PPP supporters might choose to use?
From a business point of view I prefer to buy Thai,its an emotional thing but I may have to go to China instead if the threat persists.From a Tourism point of view closing the Airport is no problem for me.I will take on board any reason to stay in Thailand longer even if I have to sleep at the Airport.You now had this tactic made the bargirl hoppers think twice about going to Thailand then i would say it has had at least some benefit.But it wont.Sadly the tactic of occupying and forcing the closure of Suvarnabumi airport will have costs that PAD will need to reflect upon.I support change yet I believe that Nationally and Internationally this tactic has caused a lot of damage.In closing some Western commentators firmly believe the decision handed by the Court was a foregone conclussion . PADs activities prior to this are seen somewhat as irresponsible and needless.I am not sure that these comments by a falang are necessarily helpfull to Thailand and I apologise to anyone who may think I am causing offence..But Thailand is my second home and all that I would like to see is it return to the Land of Smiles as soon as possible.

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