Bangkoktraveler Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Somchai still in Chiang Mia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 Or suppose the current constitution is replaced with the "selectorial democracy" that PAD demands, a system where PAD and its backers get to pick future governments irrespective of what the majority of other Thais think. Won't this likely lead to even more unrest and increase the likilihood of violence. I think you touch here on what is exactly it is being aimed for. Like many times in Thailand the direct path isn't taken, the way they are going to achieve it is interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted November 27, 2008 Report Share Posted November 27, 2008 yes I'm confident he still is, but who knows - latest press info was a tele-conference from up there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2008 U.S. calls for end of Thailand airport standoff WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 The U.S. government called on Friday for the end of the standoff at Thailand airports protestingagainst its government. "While we respect the right to freedom of expression, seizing an airport is not an appropriate means of protest," the State Department's acting deputy spokesman Gordon Duguid said in a statement. He urged supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)"to walk away from the airports peacefully," and allow "this situation can be resolved without violence and in accordance with the law." The air traffic has been paralyzed completely since protestors besieged the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi international airports at the capital of Bangkok earlier this week out of the PAD's hatred of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's announcement of an emergency decree in the areas of both airports, the crisis continued after anti-government leaders rejected last-ditch attempts to negotiate with the government. Although airlines have resumed their operations at a naval base, tens of thousands of passengers are still believed to be stranded during the four-day unrest. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-11/29/content_10428518.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Foreign govts frustrated by Thai airport siege Other foreign governments are increasingly concerned at the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport since Tuesday by political protesters as part of their campaign to topple the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. Australia's Stephen Smith said hundreds of Australians were still stranded in Thailand and national carrier Qantas (QAN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had offered to put on additional flights to take them home. "It's very frustrating for us and it's very frustrating for those stranded Australians," he told Australian television. Qantas said it will operate a special service from Phuket to Singapore on Monday night for Australian tourists stranded in Thailand. The Thai government is shuttling tourists to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era air base 150 km (90 miles) east of Bangkok, as an alternative landing site for airlines, but travellers have complained of long delays and confusion. Several major Asian carriers have announced special flights to pick up passengers and crew from U-Tapoa or other Thai airports. China's official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday the first return flights from Thailand reached Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou early on Sunday. Xinhua cited estimates that over 3,500 Chinese tourists have been stranded in Thailand. The U.S. embassy in Bangkok said it had asked the Thai foreign ministry to provide "appropriate compensation" to U.S. citizens stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi and the older Don Muang airport, a big domestic hub. It said "large numbers" of Americans were unable to leave Thailand and expressed its deep concern to the Thai government. The European Union also voiced concern in a statement issued in Bangkok by EU ambassadors. "While respecting the right of protesting and without interfering in any way with the internal political debate in Thailand, the EU considers that these actions are totally inappropriate. They are seriously damaging the international image of Thailand," it said. "We urge the protesters to evacuate the airports peacefully without delay in order to avoid a major consular crisis and its economic consequences for Thailand," it added. Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and advised Canadians to stay away from areas where protests were going on, although he noted in a statement that people were free to move around Bangkok. http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSSP1847720081130 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Frankly, I see Thais as so xenophobic/arrogant that they most likely don't give a fuck about the rest of the world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamui Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Frankly, I see Thais as so xenophobic/arrogant that they most likely don't give a fuck about the rest of the world... Severe loss of income will teach them awareness of the outside world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lazyphil Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 or will they just trot out mai pen rai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 They will BLAME the outsiders yes, acknowledge us as necessary, valuable/important/equal? Doubtful in many/most cases. To many, the preservation of Thai culture and Thailand, or what they perceive to be Thailand and Thai culture, is all that matters. Let me give an example I have seen many times...Farang marries into a Thai family...Thai Family sees a problem coming down the pike...has no clue what to do...Farang makes suggestions, all of which are valid, and would work...Thai family ignores the farang, simply because he is a farang, and they are Thai, and Thai culture dictates they do nothing, or do xyz...later, when it all goes to shit, they look at the farang and say "help us now, give us money..." The farang points out he tried to help, but was ignored, and they again use "Thai culture" as the excuse for ignoring him, the outsider, and then again say "help us, give us money..." seen that a lot. In fairness, I have seen it in a few cross cultural marriages here as well...but nothing like the Thai farang ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted November 30, 2008 Report Share Posted November 30, 2008 Not if you live on commission... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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