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 [...]
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.
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, 27 November 2008 – Tensions escalated this afternoon and evening throughout Thailand as the country fears the civil disorder and protests against the current government may turn into a military coup or open fighting.
The pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will call its red-clad supporters to disperse the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators at Suvarnabhumi airport, if the government does not take direct action against them, UDD leader and political talk show host Veera Musikhapong said on Thursday.
Suriyasai Katasila, a leading member of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, announced Thursday evening that the PAD-led protesters would fight off police if they are deployed to crack down on the protesters at the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, 27 November 2008 – Yesterday, the Thai Army Commander-in-Chief called on incumbent Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to dissolve Parliament and hold new elections, in a move aimed at dissolving the current civil unrest.
This morning, a former chief advisor of the Thai Supreme Command, General Pathompong Kesornsuk, urged the current Army Commander-in-Chief, General Anupong Paochinda to stage a coup to prevent himself from being sacked by the government.
Late today, the government called a State of Emergency for the zones of all international airports throughout the kingdom. Such a move is the opening gambit for sending in police or military to clear the protestors.
CHIANG MAI, 13 Nov 2008 – Tourists visiting Thailand should not be put off by news of the latest bombing in the capital, Bangkok.
This latest incident appears to be the result of a commercial dispute regarding new landlords of the capital’s largest market venue, and predictions of increased stall rents that have caused many of the traders to mount a public protest. As such it would seem to be an action between two vested interests with no intent to escalate it to the wider public and visitors.
The explosion occurred at Ratchadamri Road – Rama IV Road Intersection intersection, where vendors of the Klong Toey Market were rallying in protest against new landlords, injuring fifteen of them, two severely, at about 1:00 am Thursday 13th November. The injured were rushed to the Kluay Nam Thai and Chulalongkorn hospitals. The severely injured are Yakob Lohmoh, 51, and Penthiwawan Kaewsuk, 37.
Police quoted a witness as saying a bag was dropped from the flyover over the Ratchadamri-Rama IV Intersection, causing the explosion.
