Gadfly Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Foreigners in Bangkok were on Tuesday warned to exercise caution amid mounting security fears ahead of a landmark court decision over whether to dissolve Thailand's two largest political parties. Australia, Canada, France and Japan all advised their citizens to show a high degree of personal security awareness as Wednesday's verdict could trigger violent demonstrations in the Thai capital. "You should avoid demonstrations, political rallies and concentrations of military personnel," the Australian embassy in a statement. The Japanese embassy called on its citizens to "stay away from expected political rallies" and "act very cautiously so as not to get involved in possible unrest and terror attacks." Thailand is the fourth most popular foreign destination for Japanese tourists after the United States, China (including Hong Kong) and South Korea. Some 900 police will be deployed on Bangkok's streets Tuesday evening, protecting the Constitutional Tribunal offices and setting up checkpoints to deter party supporters from travelling to the capital from the provinces. Some 15,000 Thai troops were on alert Tuesday across the country to deter possible violence, officials said. The Canadian embassy warned that planned protests might turn violent and urged its citizens to "maintain high level of personal security awareness" and avoid "unnecessary travel" in Bangkok. The US embassy here has left its travel advice unchanged, urging tourists and expatriates to monitor events and avoid large public gatherings. The British embassy's travel advice, which was updated on Wednesday last week, also urged its citizens to avoid demonstrations and large crowds. On Wednesday, Thailand's Constitutional Tribunal must decide whether Thai Rak Thai, the party formed by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the Democrat Party are guilty of a slew of charges of electoral fraud related to annulled elections in April last year. The tribunal has the power to dissolve the parties and ban their executives from politics for five years. The potentially divisive ruling comes after more than a year of political upheaval culminating in the September 19 coup against Thaksin The Nation Who knows?? I will be half to Pattaya by noon tomorrow in any event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Gee, you mean if I see a riot, I shouldn't go watch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STFORME Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Doubt there will be any tanks rollin down Cowboy or Walking Street. But then again, T.I.T. BTW, Suk looked as dead tonight as the day before Songkran and Patpong starting their nightly teardown at 11:30 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Central Scrutinizer Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 Today is D day, the decisions will be heard later in the day. I'm interested in seeing how the Thais deal with this, how they handle the court decisions if either or both of the major political parties are disbanded and their leaders kept from running for office for the next 5 years. 13,000 soldiers and police at the ready, he who cannot be mentioned has said his piece, Farangs have been warned, roadblocks have been in place for a week or more trying to keep Isaanites and northerners from getting to the capital city and being stopped, questioned and sent home/blocked from coming to protest. The government is taking no chances. Square head man has done his worst to be heard from his exile to stir up support and cause trouble. And Gadfly is off to Patters to do some field research and avoid 'the troubles'. How will it all play out? Stay tuned folks. Nothing like a true life Thai soap opera to keep one interested and entertained, 'ey? I just hope no one is killed and Gadfly comes home safe and sound with stories and info to tell. Guns in the streets and latex covered weapons in the bed. Wonder what channel is best for the coverage? Cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lembeh Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 CNN said on their news report today that phone services will be out for a few hours today, presumably around the time of the announcement to stop demo organizers. True or not, dunno. -j- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carew66 Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 I hope there's not another 'stay at home Thursday' tomorrow then... It's a holiday anyway. Please can they have a coup / unrest on Friday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 Hi, Heard the same about the phone (mobile) system. Supposedly it will be shut off upcountry after 11am. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene1944 Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 I was watching the proceedings and saw some of the Democrats talking on cell phones outside of the court proceedings. Perhaps, the jamming was not very effective or someone forgot to turn on the jammer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lembeh Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 Mines been working. Maybe only upcountry? -j- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted May 30, 2007 Report Share Posted May 30, 2007 My mobigh works in Bangkok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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