News Update: Redshirts Issue Ultimatum
Day 3. 'The Red March' – No disturbances on 3rd day of protest – Ministry counts 'only' 47.000 demonstrators – Uncertainty about Thaksin's stay – Redshirt leaders set ultimatum – State of emergency only in extreme cases – Demonstrators to 11th Infantry Regiment – After end of ultimatum , new promotions from Redshirts . . No disturbances on 3rd day of protest There were no disturbances on the third day in Bangkok either. The Redshirts deploy their own order services to demonstrators…
Protests: historic event in Thailand
By Marwaan Macan-Markar (Source:IPS) Tens of thousands of supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gathered in the capital Bangkok this weekend to demonstrate against the government. The demonstrators come from rural areas. By Saturday evening, about 80.000 red-clad protesters from the north and northeast had gathered in the capital. Since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, analysts say, such a scene has not occurred in the country. The…
Thailand between hope and despair
By Khun Peter Will today, Sunday March 14, go down in the history books as the beginning of the end of today's Thai society? Is today, the brewing dichotomy in the country leading to a blazing fire of unrest and violence? I don't have a crystal ball, but I do share the fear that reigns among the Thai population. The day of truth Although the rise of the Rooien seems to be disappointing, the Redshirts can …
The deceived masses…
Of course the red shirts are a bit right. The majority of these are the poor population of rural areas in the north and northwest of Thailand. And not only that: for centuries they have been exploited by the (urban) elite (amyata) who simply call the shots in the 'Land of Smiles'.
Redshirt leaders demand dissolution of Thai parliament
UDD leader Veera Musikhapong made an official statement today at Fa Phan Bridge in Bangkok demanding that the current government of Abhisit Vejjajiva resign. The statement, read by UDD leader Veera Musikhapong, said that since the September 19, 2006 coup d'état that overthrew the Thaksin Shinawatra government, Thailand has been a dictatorship. We ask the government to relinquish its power and return it to the Thai people.
Day 2. 'The Red March' – Large numbers of Redshirts still on their way – No disturbances on the second day either – Estimate Sunday, between 100.000 – 500.000 demonstrators – Thaksin denies being sent away – Redshirt leader Arisman 'arrested' – Police confiscate rocket launchers – UDD expects government to step down within four days Large numbers of Redshirts still on their way Due to the roadblocks and military controls, large groups of Redshirts are still on their way to Bangkok. …
News update: Bangkok under the spell of the 'Red March'
Day 1. 'The Red March' – Redshirts gather in Bangkok – So far no disturbances – Doubts about turnout – Sunday highlight of the demonstration – UDD Strategy Changes if government does not resign – UDD denies involvement in bombings – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Stay overnight in barracks – Rumors THAT Thaksin, Dubai has been evicted Redshirts Gathering in Bangkok The Redshirts Gathering at Five Places in Bangkok: The King Taksin monument …
The 'weekend of truth'
By Hans Bos The weekend of truth has started in Bangkok. Will the 'red shirts' succeed in gathering enough demonstrators and paralyzing Bangkok? Will it be 'only' 100.000, as Prime Minister Abhisit's government thinks, or will their number grow above 500.000? And do the red leaders also succeed in keeping the mob under control and preventing disturbances? A survey of 1226 residents of Bangkok shows that…
The tuk tuk mafia on Phuket
Tourists are being cheated in droves by tuk-tuk drivers on Phuket. Most Tuk-Tuks on Phuket are bright red in color, just like the face of the unsuspecting tourist who has to pay 10 times more for a ride than, for example, in Bangkok. The open taxis offer comfort, which is equivalent to a ride on the ass of a lame donkey. Despite this, the tourists pay a price as if they were transported in an extended limousine, including champagne. Complaining about these extortionate prices helps…
When the money runs out? Retreat to the provinces!
By Hans Bos The demonstration of the 'red shirts' in Bangkok costs an estimated 600.000 euros per 100.000 participants per day. That money is intended for transport, attendance fees, food and drink for the participants. The red shirts have an estimated 2 to 3 million euros in cash. That means they can keep up their 'rally' for a maximum of 5 days. If the incumbent government of Prime Minister Abhisit has not been overthrown by then, the 'red shirts' will retreat …
Due to the announced mass demonstration of the UDD on March 12, traffic jams and traffic jams are expected in Bangkok. As a result, the planned exhibition 'Life' by Guido Goedheer has been moved to Thursday, March 25, 2010. The exhibition, the proceeds of which are intended for charities, was scheduled for March 12 to 28. The organizing committee would like to welcome all interested people on March 25 at 6:00 pm at the Siam City Hotel Bangkok in the …
Bangkok prepares for Redshirts invasion
– Thaksin family out of the country – Internal Security Act in force – No police violence against demonstrators – Dissolution of parliament not an option – Yellow shirts keep aloof – Red shirts deploy boats Tension in and around Bangkok is rising. The government, army and police are preparing for a 'turbulent' weekend. We've listed the latest news for you. Thaksin family out of the country Thaksin's family, including his …
A birdwatcher in Bangkok, part 2.
By Guido Goedheer I don't have a monopoly on wisdom, that's too much of a good thing, but what my bird guide told me about the Asian Koel with its cruel behavior…. Well, I spoke to a number of asian cools and that was difficult because they really spoke a different language. No wheeze, wheeze and so on, but just like the cuckoo in Europe, it simply calls its own name….KAH OELLLL. That shows low intelligence or just…
What will the future bring?
By Colin de Jong – Pattaya What will 2010 bring us? Of course no one knows that, but we can think about it a little more positively. Hear too much lamentation around me in 'the land of smile' and especially in 'the extreme city' Pattaya. I think this is absolutely unjustified, especially when I look at BVN in the morning and read the Telegraph, and I must therefore conclude that Thailand is one of the best countries in the world to ...
It's 'sink or swim' for the 'red shirts'
By Hans Bos It will be the litmus test for the sitting Prime Minister Abhisit. Is he strong enough and able to survive next weekend's demonstrations? Or will the 'red shirts' have their way, paralyze the whole of Bangkok and Abhisit calls new elections under pressure? Estimates of the expected numbers of demonstrators range from 30.000 to one million. Experts say that 150.000 red shirts are enough to cover the metropolis of Bangkok, with an estimated 12 …
Thailand news in brief
Air pollution in the North, government wants to distribute face masks The eight Northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Sun, Nan, Phrae and Phayao are suffering from serious air pollution due to the burning of forests and farmland. The Ministry of Health plans to distribute up to 600.000 masks to the population. More and more people report to the hospital with breathing problems. . . Measures against the impending drought There is a long period for this year …
Thailandblog this time takes a closer look at a popular e-book in PDF format; Pattaya Bar Girls Report (in English). We have read it for you and discuss the pluses and minuses of this book in this article.