Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: PAD Demonstrations - Update: Reports of violence
September 2, 2008
This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to
and residing in Thailand that demonstrations in the area near Government
House in Bangkok have turned violent. One demonstrator has been killed
and others injured.
On Tuesday morning, September 2, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
declared a state of emergency in Bangkok following the street violence
that occurred overnight between anti-government People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD) supporters and the pro-government United Front of
Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The fighting resulted in one
death and over 30 people injured. Unarmed Royal Thai Police and
Military were able to separate the two parties and restore peace by
early morning. The state of emergency gives the government additional
powers, which are intended to bring a peaceful end to the demonstration.
News reports also indicate that various railway, bus, utility, and
airline workers may go on strike September 3 in sympathy with PAD
protesters, possibly causing delays and outages. If you will be flying
within or from Thailand, we recommend that you contact the airline and
reconfirm your flight.
The government has announced that Thai government schools in Bangkok
will be closed for the next three days. Media report that some schools
around the Government House area closed at noon September 2, but we do
not know the extent of school closings. If you think that your child's
school may be affected, please call your school directly for updated
information.
We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to
be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of
demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the
vicinity of any demonstrations.
The Embassy remains open with no interruption of consular services. For
the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad
should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and
health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll
line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to
register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy
is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen
Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling
66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. The after hours
emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000. _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Governments are wonderful about giving advice, partly for information, but also to cover their a***.
it would be interesting to hear what the situation is like "on the ground" from expats who live there. _________________ The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke
it would be interesting to hear what the situation is like "on the ground" from expats who live there.
Our admin is closer to that scene than I am. Maybe he'll tell you what he sees in Bangkok. In Korat it is difficult to say; we have demonstrations from both sides, the anti-goverment demonstrators and the government-supporters. The police keeps them apart. But as it is said that the demonstrators on both sides have been bought, you cannot rely on what you see. Word among the people here (mostly government supporters) goes that the drug cartells and big business are financing the show. Violence is increasing. Yesterday in Bangkok a lunatic shot into a demonstration of students and injured two. Last Friday they tried to play civil war in Bangkok, one was killed and some three dozens wounded, some critically. It's a show of anarchy with an unclear background.
Clear is only that the king who helped solve similar situations before is still keeping quiet. _________________ Thailand Forum - Korat Forum..
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:34 am Post subject: Samak has to resign - for now
The Supreme Court yesterday found PM Samak's cooking shows on TV in conflict of interest with his position as PM. They "ordered" him to resign. The cabinet has to be newly appointed. Til then his deputy Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksins brother-in-law, and his cabinet act as caretakers only. The PAD still want to continue their show. For what is not clear to me. There don't seem to be any constructive ideas behind. _________________ Thailand Forum - Korat Forum..
Today the cabinet was supposed to vote Samak back in office. But his friends seem to have deserted him. It failed due to most MPs not showing up or answering as present. The quorum of 235 wasn't reached. So the election of a new PM was postponed til Wednesday. Stay tuned! _________________ Thailand Forum - Korat Forum..
Today the cabinet was supposed to vote Samak back in office. But his friends seem to have deserted him. It failed due to most MPs not showing up or answering as present. The quorum of 235 wasn't reached. So the election of a new PM was postponed til Wednesday. Stay tuned!
talking to thais at work
one of them said that this situation is new to thailand--very unlike previous
political crisis--basically due to new laws that were created while the military was in power _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:40 am Post subject: Blockade of parliament dissolved
Last night about 4.000 PAD protesters erected a blockade in front of parliament to keep the new government from announcing its policy today.
In a surprise attack at least 1.000 riot police stormed the barricades at dawn firing tear gas into the crowd. The police stated there were not many injured. The director of Vajira Hospital, Dr Chaiwan Chaorenchoketawee, reported 71 injured, 47 taken to his hospital. The queen donated 100.000 baht for their medical treatment.
Reportedly the water and electricity supply of parliament has been turned off now, leaving it on its emergency generator, which can only last a few hours. _________________ Thailand Forum - Korat Forum..
Last edited by KoratCat on Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
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