Today water reached the end of the runways at Don Mueang International Airport and announcements have been made that it will close and stop operations from 5:00pm (local) / 10:00am (GMT) 25 October 2011. Reports are arriving of passengers trapped in the terminal buildings by flood waters, and that the airfield electrical systems have been [...]
The Thai government cabinet on Tuesday decided to declare 27-28 and 31 October 2011 as official holidays in 21 flood-hit provinces, including Bangkok, so that people in flood-prone areas would be able to brace for the expected flooding of the capital’s central areas. The 21 provinces are central Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakonsawan, Uthai Thani, Chai [...]
As the most traumatic week in Thailand’s recent history draws to a close, a number of videos are beginning to circulate, which show some perspectives that international press ignored during the months building up to Wednesday’s crackdown and clearing of the Red Shirt encampments in the centre of the city. These videos, especially the first [...]
Thailand 21 May 2010 – A friend of mine lives just metres away from the former Red Shirt main rally stage in Bangkok. Throughout the recent demonstrations, and the ensuing military operations and riots, myself and others implored him to remain indoors and leave his camera in the cupboard. Now, as the area clears and [...]
Government troops and police moved in force, early in the morning of 19th May to disperse and clear the anti-government Red Shirt protesters from the upscale heart of Bangkok’s commercial and tourist zone. By early afternoon, the Red Shirt leaders announced to their followers that the city centre fight was over, Several of the leaders [...]
Bangkok 19 May 2010 – Thai Army and Police, supported by Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs) and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), plus water cannon military vehicles, moved from several directions overnight to assault the barricades and bunkers built around the perimeter of the anti-government Red Shirt protestors’ encampment covering almost four square miles of central Bangkok. [...]
The British Embassy in Bangkok have issued their sternest level of warning to British nationals within, or travelling to, Thailand, with effect from 09:45am today, 27th April, ALL of Thailand is considered as a destination for only the most essential of travel reasons. In their email communique to registered expatriates and travellers, the embassy states [...]
Following the assault upon, and cancellation of, the “ASEAN plus dialogue partners” meeting of Heads of State in Pattaya, Thailand last week by the red-shirted followers of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai government announced, late on Thursday 9th April, that there would be a closure of all government offices on Friday 10th.
This unscheduled holiday preceded and joined with the scheduled Thai traditional New Year (Songkran) holiday occurring from Saturday 11th April to Wednesday 15th April. These dates included closure of all Government and Post Offices within Thailand.
Following the violence and civil unrest that broke out in Bangkok over the Songkran / Easter weekend, instigated by the same red-shirted factions, current Democrat Party Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva instructed, on Tuesday 14 April, that Thursday and Friday 16-17 April would be an extension to the national holiday, in order to give the government time to make central Bangkok safe for people to return to their workplaces.
