Thailand forum
Oh dear, here we go again
Have questions? Jump to our menu of forum quicklinks
Add your reply
You need to be logged in to add a reply.
Not a member? you can join here.
Welcome to Travelfish, original Asia travel intelligence you can trust
Menu
sayadian
Joined Travelfish
15th January, 2008
Posts 1433
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Reports today of running battles between yellow shirts and Thai riot police as the yellows attempt to 'reclaim Thai land at Preah Vihar' in Sisaket.Also a huge demo by the reds in Bangkok.At least this time they aren't in the same location.
Let's hope this does not escalate as the high season approaches.
#1 Posted: 19/9/2009 - 23:14
------------------------------
money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
MADMAC
Joined Travelfish
6th June, 2009
Posts 5184
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
As long as they don't close the airport in November, it's all good.
#2 Posted: 19/9/2009 - 23:26
------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
Advertisement
sayadian
Joined Travelfish
15th January, 2008
Posts 1433
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Madmac
...or provoke a war with Cambodia.
I wonder what the betting is on the outcome of that?
#3 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 00:27
------------------------------
money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
sayadian
Joined Travelfish
15th January, 2008
Posts 1433
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Of course it will only be an inconvenience.The protesters aren't interested in foreigners and I trust the Thai army implicitly.Very disciplined troops. I was in Buriram a couple of years ago having a quiet drink before getting the night train to Bangkok.Suddenly. for reasons I will never know the army decided to close up the city centre.Within 5 minutes trucks had dispersed soldiers across the town and set up CPs.
The friend I was with got a bit nervous but I told him not to worry.We strolled through the CP on the way to the station as if we were ghosts while all the Thais were being lined up to be processed.
#4 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 00:38
------------------------------
money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
somtam2000
admin
Joined Travelfish
21st January, 2004
Location Indonesia
Posts 6451
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
The red shirt deal in Bangkok was smaller than expected because of rain -- but they'll be back no doubt.
In the scheme of things the yellow rabble out in Si Saket was also a bit of a non event -- telling that the violence was primarily between PAD and local villages -- it's the latter who would have to live with whatever debacle would have followed if the PAD had actually gained entrance to the temple (and thus Cambodian territory).
It's an extremely frustrating business, especially in the run up to high season -- the PAD hammered last year's high season and it would be very unfortunate if something happened again this year-round.
At the end of the day neither group is giving an inch -- which suggests a "compromise" is still a long way off.
For those looking for a general overview, this CSM piece is pretty good:
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0919/p06s02-woap.html
#5 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 07:01
somtam2000's social networks[Twitter] [Facebook] [Flickr] [Google+] [Instagram] [Pinterest]
------------------------------
Travel films for Southeast Asia
tezza
Joined Travelfish
13th April, 2006
Posts 1177
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Wow, I'm glad I'm going into Thailand via Malaysia this November.
#6 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 08:11
------------------------------
Lots of beaches and islands info - http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/
furneburner
Joined Travelfish
5th September, 2009
Posts 180
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Yeah great, now all you need to worry about is the social unrest in the south! ;)
#7 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 09:03
MADMAC
Joined Travelfish
6th June, 2009
Posts 5184
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
There isn't "social unrest" in the south - there's a level one insurgency going on there.
But the conflict between the Reds and Yellows here isn't a serious problem as long as it doesn't devolve into a civil war (which is a potential outcome, but one I consider unlikely). Otherwise it probably won't bother tourists too much, although many may stay away anyway.
#8 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 12:28
------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
furneburner
Joined Travelfish
5th September, 2009
Posts 180
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Apparantly according to my GF the Thai's are saying the Cambodians have been laying landmines to kill Thai soldiers, and now they must march the borders together to "minimise risk" whatever that means.
It doesn't really look good.
#9 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 12:30
MADMAC
Joined Travelfish
6th June, 2009
Posts 5184
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
You might have some border skirmishing, but I don't think you'll see a full blown conflict. Cambodia would lose, and it's not in Thailand's interests either.
#10 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 12:37
------------------------------
Victory in Pattani
Advertisement
Manumask
Joined Travelfish
12th September, 2009
Posts 6
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Hello Guys! I am going to Asia in one week and Thailand is one of the places I'm going to visit. It includes southern-beaches(Phuket to Koh Tao), bangkok and north(Chiang Mai). I am also going overland from Siem Reap to Bangkok.. any good advices on things I should avoid are highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
#11 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 15:58
sayadian
Joined Travelfish
15th January, 2008
Posts 1433
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
My wife says don't wear yellow or red shirts
#12 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 16:17
------------------------------
money frees you from doing things you dislike,since I dislike doing nearly everything money is handy'
furneburner
Joined Travelfish
5th September, 2009
Posts 180
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
Second that
#13 Posted: 20/9/2009 - 16:24
somtam2000
admin
Joined Travelfish
21st January, 2004
Location Indonesia
Posts 6451
Member profile
Profile page
Private message
The King was hospitalised last night -- more information here:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i6kAijxRCYXCzSJu3ALu-mAFT-PQ
The main issue with the red and yellow shorts is that, save a complete meltdown, they can ahh royally screw up the transport system which can play havoc with plans. As per other comments above they're not targeting foreigners -- this is a local politics drama.
Also with the Far South, tourists are not being specifically targeted, and while I wouldn't suggest avoid transiting through the border, likewise I'd say this isn't the best time for three months spent trekking the rural reaches of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
#14 Posted: 21/9/2009 - 08:23
somtam2000's social networks[Twitter] [Facebook] [Flickr] [Google+] [Instagram] [Pinterest]
------------------------------
Travel films for Southeast Asia
MADMAC
Joined Travelfish
6th June, 2009
Posts 5184
Member profile
Profile private
Messaging not enabled.
"...likewise I'd say this isn't the best time for three months spent trekking the rural reaches of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat."
There's the understatement of the year!
#15 Posted: 21/9/2009 - 11:25
------------------------------
Victory in Pattani