Interview Al Jazeera with Abhisit Vejjajiva
May 31, 2010 – A candid interview of no less than 22 minutes with the Thai Prime Minister of Abhisit Vejjajiva. Rageh Omaar asks Abhisit to explain the events of the past few weeks. Among other things, he asks Abhisit why he calls the Redshirts terrorists because this stands in the way of a solution to the conflict. A few times Abhisit refers to a 'person', but does not mention his name. The reason his 'Roadmap' became…
Shot journalist meets his rescuer
Canadian journalist Nelson Rand thanks the 25-year-old Thai man who saved his life. Nelson was hit in a hail of bullets during the riots in Bangkok. A video report from CBC reports.
Thai's preference for new media
It is not easy for journalists to gain insight into what really happened in Bangkok. Thais do not like to talk to journalists about the country's problems. The reds and the yellows, of course, but from other motives, they understand that they have to win over the media. The Thai also distrust traditional news sources controlled by the Thai government and increasingly use new media (Youtube, Twitter, Facebook) to …
Curfew over, Bangkokians happy
By Khun Peter The penultimate step towards a normal life in Bankgok has been taken. The curfew has been abolished today. It also does not suit a metropolis like Bangkok. A city that should live 24 hours a day. The last obstacle to a normal life is the state of emergency. It is not clear when it will be withdrawn. Only then will Bangkok be back to normal. The situation before March 12, 2010 …
Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in Chiang Mai
By Chris Vercammen Today I go back in time, at the end of 2006. The then government decided to give the King a unique gift wherever the people could enjoy. That became the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek in Chiang Mai. This flower and plant exhibition was opened for the first time on November 80, 5 to 2006 …
Thai women: a lot of drama (video)
Police in Pattya received a report today from a 66-year-old Irishman, Robert J., who said his Thai girlfriend had threatened to hang herself in his car on Pattaya Beach Road.
Low euro annoying for expats in Thailand
Source: RNW The Dutch in Thailand and other faraway places are suffering from the crumbling euro exchange rate, because pension benefits or other income from the Netherlands fall along with the exchange rate of the European currency. A few are even considering returning to the Netherlands if the euro does not gain strength quickly. Frits writes from Thailand that Dutch people abroad who have a pension from the Netherlands are getting a bit more difficult now. On the one hand less foreign currency…
toxic thailand
Thailand has one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. The downside of this growth is that highly environmentally polluting companies are also establishing themselves in Thailand. Due to the extra employment, the Thai government does not impose strict environmental requirements on companies that invest in Thailand. The number of cancer cases of Thai people who work or live at such companies has increased sharply. A recent ruling by a Thai court has led to 76 polluting…
Survivors of Bangkok violence in search of answers
It has now been more than a week since Thai soldiers intervened against the anti-government protests in the capital Bangkok, the city where a curfew and a state of emergency still apply. The Thai government is prepared to conduct an independent investigation into the many fatalities. The victims' families are suspicious about the true circumstances of their loved ones' deaths. Especially since some were not part of the Redshirt protesters. As …
Self-criticism from a Thai, a rarity
By Khun Peter Every once in a while you come across something remarkable. Hans had already put it on Twitter, an article in Bangkok Post entitled: “A guide for the perfect Thai idiot”. The columnist, Sawai Boonma, is a Thai himself and held up a mirror to the entire Thai nation. The result: a remarkable article with the necessary self-criticism. And also an analysis that a significant part of the country's political problems…
Hotels are almost empty, tour operators are without customers and travel agencies are busy with rebookings. The tourism industry in Bangkok is struggling. Even now that daily life is starting again a week after the fierce street protests, the tourists are not crowding. And that may take a while. Fifty bicycles are shining in the sun at the bicycle tour company Recreational Bangkok Biking. There has been no customer for the past few days. Only …
Bangkok: Eligible situation lifted
On Wednesday, May 26, the Calamities Committee lifted the distributable situation for Bangkok. This was established on May 17 of this year. Now that the situation eligible for benefits has ended, travel organizers can again offer guaranteed travel to the whole of Thailand, including Bangkok. With this decision, the Calamity Committee does not mean to say that staying in Bangkok can be regarded as risk-free, but that the usual cover for these trips is accepted by the Calamity Fund. This relieves tour operators and…
The wet monsoon has started
by Hans Bos The wet monsoon has started again in Bangkok and the surrounding area: four heavy downpours in as many days. So: bring an umbrella and actually also the wellies. Because rain in Thailand means flooded streets and deep puddles everywhere. Last year the nuisance was exceptional. The streets in my 'moo job' were so flooded for more than ten days that it was impossible to get to the car with dry feet. Comical was…
Injured cameraman tells his story (video)
From the hospital, Nelson Rand, a cameraman for France 24, tells his story. He suffered three gunshot wounds during the fighting in Bangkok. Now recovering from his injuries, he looks back on the black page in his career.
Bangkok safe, curfew extended
Normal life has resumed in Bangkok. No incidents have been reported in recent nights. As previously announced, the travel advice for Bangkok from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been adjusted from level six to level four. Curfew The previously imposed curfew for Bangkok and 23 provinces has been extended by four nights. The curfew starts at 24.00:04.00 to 28:29 and applies until the night of Friday to Saturday XNUMX/XNUMX …
Bangkok, Pattaya and Europroblems
By Colin de Jong – Pattaya The problems in Bangkok are much worse than expected. The leaders of the red shirts may have turned themselves in to the police, but that does not mean that there is still a large group left that wants to continue and how! Panic has now also broken out in Chonburi province, including Pattaya. In the course of Wednesday afternoon, all shopping malls and banks were closed, after which …
Bangkok, back to normal life (video)
The Thai capital Bangkok is slowly returning to normal. Today everyone went back to work. Government buildings, schools and the stock exchange are open again.