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 [...]
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. [...]
6 May 2010 – the British Embassy have today lowered their warning related to “the whole of Thailand” citing reduction of unrest and violence outside the capital. However, they are upholding their warning to avoid Bangkok other than for the most essential of travel. The update came in an email which included – A summary [...]
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.
