cheekyboy Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Update: Bangkok Emergency, Troops On Streets By Chutima Sidasathian and Alan Morison Sunday, April 12, 2009 Canadian Embassy is sending a telephone text message to citizens advising them to 'use caution, avoid public gatherings and follow the advice of authorities'. TROOPS are now active in Bangkok after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency this afternoon in six provinces, including the capital. The emergency was declared amid concern about red-shirt reaction to the arrest of the leader of the protest in Pattaya yesterday that closed the Asean summit. Share * Facebook * MySpace * Delicious * Digg * Reddit * StumbleUpon Today one red-shirt leader, on a platform at a protest in Bangkok, and with another red-shirt nearby holding a weapon, told listeners that he wanted to kill the PM. The terms of the state of emergency prohibit more than five people congregating, an unusual situation for the eve of Thailand's usually joyful Songkran New Year celebrations. One thousand extra police are now on the streets of the capital. Arichsaman Pongrungrong, who led the red shirt protest in Pattaya that brought the Asean Plus Six Summit to an untimely halt yesterday, was arrested this morning at his house in Bangkok. It was reported that, while being taken in a helicopter to an unknown destination, he attempted to wrest the controls from the chopper pilot. Today's declaration of a state of emergency, the second in two days, came at 2.33pm. Soon after, reports came that red-shirt protesters were conducting an invasion of the Interior Ministry, apparently in the belief that the PM might be there. Today's declaration of a state of emergency applied to Bangkok, Ayuthaya, Nakornpratom, Patumthani, Samudpakran and Nonthaburi. Yesterday's declaration of emergency applied only to Chonburi province and Pattaya. It enabled authorities to assist visiting national leaders and their entourages to escape the resort. The declaration was rescinded after six hours. Today's second state of emergency takes politics in Thailand to a new level of uncertainty. Several embassies upgraded travel warnings, with the tech-savvy Canadians sending an sms and an email that read: Dear Canadian Citizens, Please be advised that on April 12, 2009 a State of Emergency was declared in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province, as well as some districts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya. The security situation is fluid, therefore the Embassy is recommending against non-essential travel to these areas. Please exercise extreme caution and follow the advice and direction of local authorities. Canadians in these areas should expect an increased security presence and measures. Canadians should monitor local media to remain up to date regarding the latest developments. As you are aware, political demonstrations have been ongoing in Bangkok and in many other provinces throughout the country. Some demonstrations have involved violence while others have focused on road blockades and traffic disruptions. Canadians are strongly advised to avoid locations and areas where demonstrations have been and are currently ongoing. The official travel report for Thailand issued by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, including the information presented above, is updated regularly and can be viewed at http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=290000. We urge Canadians to review the Travel Report regularly. Canadians are encouraged to ensure that their registration information, including contact details are up to date. For more information, please consult the Registration of Canadians Abroad webpage at www.voyage.gc.ca/main/sos/rocapage-en.asp. If you are aware of any Canadians in Thailand who may not be registered, please share this information with them. Should you require consular assistance please contact the Embassy at 02 636 0540 or bngkk-cs@international.gc.ca . Sincerely, Consular Section Embassy of Canada Phuketwan on Red Shirt Protests Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit? Analysis Pattaya and Bangkok have so far been homes to an Asean Plus Six gathering that has yet to happen. Island Phuket remains the best chance for a successful summit. Phuket's Turn Next for the Asean Summit? Protest Wrecks Asean: State of Emergency Called Photo Album The Prime Minister called a state of emergency this afternoon after red shirts took control of the Asean Summit and forced the leaders of 16 countries to head for home. Protest Wrecks Asean: State of Emergency Called Red Shirts Short on Numbers in Bangkok Rally Latest Amid concern at rising levels of invective in Thai politics, Thaksin inspired demonstrators throng Bangkok in a peaceful protest. The turnout is down on expectations. Red Shirts Short on Numbers in Bangkok Rally Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh_Hoy Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Quality tourist??? Is it written on your luggage or on your fronthead maybe? Wish you a good stay in LOS Remember the days...well, you aren't old enough...but some pretentious people used to buy decals featuring the different countries they visited and plastered them on their steamer trunks and suitcases. Bubi has one on his suitcase that prominently notes "QUALITY TOURIST". HH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Remember the days...well, you aren't old enough...but some pretentious people used to buy decals featuring the different countries they visited and plastered them on their steamer trunks and suitcases. Bubi has one on his suitcase that prominently notes "QUALITY TOURIST". HH Canadian backpackers still do that .... I liked the sense of humour (?) shown by the Singaporeans back in the day, when new arrivals with long hair had their passports stamped 'S.H.I.T' : 'Suspected Hippie In Transit'. Straight out of MAD magazine circa 1972. Or 1982. Or 2008 - some things never change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 German quality tourist Herr BuBi gets suitcase out of storage compartment and prepares unit for being packed . Aforementioned tourist remains completely unaffected by SEA turmoil . Don't forget the sandals and black socks quality German tourists wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo_bill Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Gentlemen , very well . I would like to confirm that the excellent Thai Airways shall take care of an extra suitcase holding nothing but a load of towels ( 100 % hand selected Egypt cotton ) which I do personally spread over a number of sunbeds at the pool at the hour of 04:00 AM on scheduled basis to make sure no other random tourist interferes with BuBi's plans for the day . I have said many times before on this very board that authentic passion , true love and emotion very much depend on careful planning and a clean structure . East Prussian Protestants did invent romance , not the Italians . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffalo_bill Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 Bubi has one on his suitcase that prominently notes "QUALITY TOURIST". HH Mr Hoy , you are misjudging my inner self to a degree that makes me shatter . My suitcase exclusively shows " Made in France by Vuitton " which is what other people decided about and " Manchester United " . I might add " Long live Thailand " to additionally cover possible areas of conflict . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 East Prussian Protestants did invent romance , not the Italians No, BuBi - they invented the forerunner of 'German Hardcore', and I never once wrote to thank them ! Bon Voyage, Gobble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSTEACH Posted April 13, 2009 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 Beginning June 1st, Northwest changes back to the 330. Apparently the 757 was used while Northwest's 330s were being repainted in Delta's livery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 More bad news, this time I start to believe the figures quoted as they come from business owners, not from the TAT or the government.... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/11/business/business_30100247.php ----------------------------------------------- Political unrest takes its toll on tourist industry By SUCHAT SRITAMA THE NATION Published on April 11, 2009 A Japanese tour group has cancelled a 300-room booking in Bangkok out of concern about political instability. Leading tourism-business operators fear more cancellations, especially now that 14 countries have issued travel warnings for Thailand. Thai Hotels Association president Prakit Chinamourphong said his group was gathering information on possible cancellations at all hotels nationwide after the Japanese group cancelled its reservation at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 22 for next month. The number of foreign tourists for Songkran is expected to be down 30-40 per cent from last year. "What's more worrying is we plan to welcome 50,000 Chinese tourists for May Day plus other visitors attending meetings slated for later this year," he said. Some 6,000 delegates are scheduled to travel here for a medical and nutrition conference and more than 20,000 for a Lion's Club function. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan had advised their citizens to avoid areas where protesters were gathering. Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Denmark and Singapore have also alerted their citizens to potential risks. TAT executives held an urgent meeting yesterday and reopened their "war room" to update foreign tourists about the political situation. Offices abroad have been asked to summarise the impact on foreign markets every two days for the tourism and sports minister. Pensuda Praiaram, deputy governor for administration, admitted the chaos would lead to a lower number of Songkran revellers in the greater Bangkok area, against earlier expectations of a 30- to 40-per-cent increase. However, upcountry celebrations may not be affected. Advance bookings for hotels on Khao San Road, a major destination for Songkran revellers, is down to 20 per cent of capacity, from 95 per cent before the rally. Some 200,000 are expected to spend Bt300 million there. Association of Thai Travel Agents president Apichart Sankary said most foreign tourists had now cancelled Bangkok city tours and would head upcountry instead. This will lead to a loss of Bt6 million a day for the city's tourism business. Some 5,000 foreign tourists are expected to take Bangkok tours on each of the three Songkran days, down from 10,000 in the previous years. The tours costs Bt1,200 per head per day. Prakit said that with the number of foreign guests declining, hotels across the nation had been closing their restaurants temporarily since early this month, but they are hopeful the situation will improve after the long holiday. and allow them to resume normal operations. Le Meridien Chiang Mai has decided to close three newly opened restaurants. --------------------------------------------- http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/11/business/business_30100282.php Thai tourism to lose at least Bt200 billion after political chaos By The Nation Thailand's tourism industry will lose at least Bt200 billion of revenue this year, as the consequences of political unrest sparked by both yellow and red-shirted protesters, said Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand. "After the Suvarnabhumi Airport closure (in December), tourism business operators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months. The magnitude of damage from the invasion into the Asean Summit meeting venue would also give a similar result," he said in an interview with Thai PBS. He noted that the invasion concerns the safety of leaders of 15 nations, which are key markets. The number of tourists from these countries is expected to account for 8.5 million, or 60 per cent of target. The tourists however will question on security issue, following the actions that affected the security of their leaders. Therefore, though the emergency decree takes effect only in Chon Buri, but as Pattaya is a world-class destination, it would be difficult for the government to come up with a good explanation. And this would affect the tourism industry nationwide. "Some tourists have showed their desire to leave the country, on fear that the protesters may continue to block the airport like last year. Those incoming tourists have also questioned on security issue and demanded cancellation," he said. Kongkrit is now concerned with the financial conditions of tourism business operators, which could worsen. Many would shut down businesses with the disapperance of tourists, aside from liquidity shortages, he said. "So far, we have urged both yellow and red shirts to stay calm. Now. I think that's not enough. Business operators are pondering some actions, to tell them that both sides could no longer claim that their actions are for the future sake to the nation," he noted. While the airport shutdown was expected to result in loss of Bt120 billion this year, the red shirts' action would contribute at least Bt100 billion. This year's tourism revenue target is set at Bt500 billion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 For once....the Thai Baht is following a logical trend against major currencies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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