gobbledonk Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Lebanon and Thailand similar?. i would imagine most people would feel a lot safer in BKK than Lebanon...... Agreed, Sayjann, but the Lebanon-Israeli conflict drove home to many Australians the need to get out ASAP - the Australian Embassy appealed to expats and tourists to board the first boats/charter planes etc, yet they were still trying to extricate people a week or so into the conflict. Everyone the media spoke to seemed genuinely relieved to be leaving a situation which had become much worse than they had earlier anticipated - I'm not saying that will happen in Thailand, but it only takes a few hotheads to start throwing molotov cocktails in the streets etc. On a brighter note, I'm sure many of us will be greatly relieved if Thaksin is never allowed to set foot back in the country. Something tells me that we havent seen the last of him, but hope springs eternal :smirk: Cheers, Artie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 << Embassy staff were told not to send their children to school yesterday. >> Good advice ... since all the schools were closed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Seems Bush doesn't like the implications for unpopular leaders: BBC news United States condemns Thai coup The United States has condemned Tuesday's coup in Thailand and called for the restoration of democracy in its close ally as quickly as possible. Expressing "disappointment", the White House urged the coup leaders to keep their promise to hold elections. But there was no demand for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to be returned to power. The head of the coup, Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has said he will appoint a new prime minister within two weeks. He has also promised the interim government will draft a new constitution with the aim of restoring democracy within a year. BBC state department correspondent Jonathan Beale says Washington appears to be trying to avoid taking sides but US aid is likely to be suspended. The Thai army said it intervened to end the protracted political crisis sparked off by allegations of abuse of power against Mr Thaksin. According to Thai state TV, Thailand's revered head of state, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has given his backing to Gen Sonthi. Mr Thaksin, who was at the United Nations when the coup took place, has now arrived in Britain, where it is not known how long he intends to stay. White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US was "disappointed" and talks on a US free trade agreement with Thailand depended on a swift return to democracy. A US state department spokesman, Tom Casey, said there was "no justification" for the coup. "It is a step backward for democracy," he added. The coup leader is said to be close to the king although he says the monarch had nothing to do with the actual coup. The television statement attributed to the king urged all Thais to "remain peaceful" and called for civil servants to listen to orders from Gen Sonthi. The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says securing the endorsement of the 78-year-old monarch is crucial to the success of the military intervention. The coup followed months of growing tension in Thailand, with protests against Mr Thaksin and a general election which was annulled due to concerns about its legitimacy. Gen Sonthi says he was acting in line with the wishes of the Thai people, blaming government mismanagement for forcing coup leaders to act. Many in Bangkok, where Mr Thaksin is unpopular, welcomed the news and coup supporters brought flowers and food to soldiers cordoning off the government district. Mr Thaksin arrived in London with little fanfare, on what the UK Foreign Office said was a private visit. It is the first coup in 15 years in a country where they used to be commonplace with 17 between 1932 and 1991. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 It now seems that the Austrailian government are over reacting aswell http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=511170&category=General&m=9&y=2006 Cancelled trips are on the increase today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 "White House press secretary Tony Snow said the US was "disappointed"" Well what do you know...that's exactly what Howard said. Blair should be along in a minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Three blind mice... Or three muskateers.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadaBing Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 I'm sure the Bush regime will come up with " there may be a need for american troops to invade Thai-rack , Thai-ran or is it Thaiganastan ? " Morons Bada Bing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dumsoda Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Hi bust, Not this little black duck!!! I arrived in from China yesterday afternoon and I'm staying.... Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than right here... Cheers DS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Three blind mice...Or three muskateers.. Silly buggers don't know what to make of Thailand. By rights they should be backing Thaksin but this business of pro-democracy protestors welcoming a military coup has got them confused. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Me as well...our PM said something like ...we dont like coups and is very disapointed... We take the wait and see attitude .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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