A conflict, out of all proportion
By Hans Bos For outsiders it is difficult to understand what the conflict between the Thai Red Shirts and the government of Prime Minister Abhisit is all about. Even political commentators can no longer see the wood for the trees here. The Red Shirts say they are fighting for democracy and call the current government of (Democrat) Abhisit unconstitutional. They also say they fight against the elite rulers. Although there is a grain of truth in the latter, parliament is the …
Three killed and at least 75 injured in Bangkok bombings
At least three people have been killed and at least 75 injured in a series of six bomb attacks in the Thai capital. The explosions took place in the Silom business district. A foreigner is said to be among the injured, report Bangkok Post on its website. The bombings caused widespread panic on the street as passers-by rushed into shops and offices. Both military and civilians were injured. Four Skytrain stations are closed. .
The hour 'you' approaches!
By Hans Bos The hour 'you' is approaching, although no one knows exactly when it will dawn in Bangkok. The 'Multicolours' and Yellowshirts gather at Victory Monument and Sala Daeng on Silom Road. It seems that they are more likely to seek confrontation with the Red Shirts than the military, who, according to the red demonstrators, are still passing on confidential messages. That could easily turn into a civil war. It sounds very cynical, but maybe…
The longer it takes, the more casualties
By Hans Bos The longer it takes, the more victims will fall in the almost unavoidable encounter between the Thai army and the Red Shirts. And if both sides wait until the weekend, the Yellowshirts carry out their threat and also join the fray. The number of dead and injured is difficult to estimate. The military has entrenched itself in the tens of thousands in and around the Silom business district. They are not only…
Red shirts renounce Silom occupation
The Redshirts' plans to occupy the financial center in Bangkok have been called off. The army command has sealed off the business district and armed soldiers are stationed at all strategic positions. The incoming and outgoing traffic is controlled by the security services. Weng Tojirakarn, a leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), said he chose to avoid a confrontation with the army. It was clear that the military…
Fear the worst
By Khun Peter Although I am not a pessimist by nature, I have a rather vague feeling about the near future in Bangkok. I expect a strong intervention from the army soon. The question is not if, but when. I draw this conclusion from reports and the international news that I follow. More and more statements are being made that indicate that the army wants to put things in order once and for all. Given the …
Video: failed arrest attempt
In a disturbing twist to the ongoing political crisis, Thailand's government has labeled several of the Red Shirt's leaders as 'terrorists', in a bid to arrest them and stall the pro-democracy protests. In these dramatic pictures one of the accused is seen escaping from a Bangkok hotel that was surrounded by police, scaling down a rope and being helped through the crowd into a getaway car by fellow Red Shirts. Arisman Pongruangrong's escape is a …
Police and army: a collection of klutz
By Joop van Breukelen The actions of the police and army in Bangkok are a succession of mistakes, ignorance and impotence. The question now is whether the managers are unwilling or unable to intervene. First of all, the soldiers had to flee last 'black Saturday', leaving behind an arsenal of weapons, ammunition and vehicles. Today they showed yet another example of ignorance. A 'special' commando unit had surrounded the not inconsiderable SC-Hotel to remove three remaining leaders from …
Nothing is what it seems
By Khun Peter Don't try to understand Thai culture, because you will never succeed. Nothing is what it seems in Thailand. Always that smile, don't hurt each other, don't lose face. But those rules aren't rules if it doesn't come out right. Do you still get it? No me neither. Don't even try. Just like the politics in Thailand. Roden and Gelen. That's easy you think. Or a battle…
The tension rises again
Anyone who thought that the pressure was off after the recent deadly clash between the Thai army and the Red Shirts is almost certainly wrong.
Redshirts leave Fa Phan Bridge
On the website of the Bangkok Post we read that the leaders of the UDD have announced that the gathering point of the red shirts, the Fa Phan Bridge, will be abandoned. The red shirts at Fa Phan bridge move to the Ratchaprasong area. This is the commercial heart of Bangkok with offices, shopping malls and luxury hotels. With this, the area around the Fa Phan Bridge will also be released to traffic again. The above also means that…
Tourism Thailand in heavy weather due to protests
The state of emergency and fighting over the weekend has driven the Thai tourism industry to despair. Significant losses are expected for 2010. The conflicts cost the tourism industry at least $ 1 billion, the FTI (Federation of Thai Industry) said. More than 40 countries have now issued travel advisories and warnings regarding Bangkok. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a travel warning. Many travelers confuse this with negative travel advice and err on the side of caution…
No negative travel advice Thailand!
CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE JUNE 2010 There have been quite a few reports in the media yesterday and the day before yesterday suggesting that there is a negative travel advice for Bangkok and/or Thailand. We would like to emphasize that this is not a negative travel advice, but only a warning at level 4. What does the warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mean? There is a warning at level 4. (on a scale of 6.) …
Reactions from Thailand after deadly battle
Source: MO (photos: Bangkok Post and AP) Last weekend, 21 people were killed and more than 800 injured during fighting between anti-government demonstrators and Thai soldiers. The last time in 1992 there were so many victims. Below are some reactions from the various parties in Thailand. Redshirts have been protesting in Bangkok since March 12 because they want Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call new elections. After almost a month, on Saturday, April 10, it was…
More Red Shirt Protests, Pressure on Thai PM
AssociatedPress — April 12, 2010 — The pressure is mounting on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as anti-government protests continued Monday, and as some of his support appeared to slip. “Red Shirt” protesters drove coffins through the streets. .
Video: Thai soldiers fire live ammunition at demonstrators
Exclusive images from France 24. These images show that soldiers are shooting at the demonstrators with live ammunition. .
Video: Thai red shirts remain combative
Al Jazeera – April 11, 2010 – A Wayne Hay report on the situation today in Bangkok. A day after the bloodiest riots of the past 20 years in which 21 people died. A certain calm has returned to the streets of the capital Bangkok, but the battle is not over yet. .