WISteve

Why is there an arrest warrant for Arisman for suggesting to overthrow the government but no arrest warrant 2 years after the yellow shirts did the same thing? And also no arrest warrants for the coup leaders that did actually overthrow the government, not just talk about it?

Equal justice under the law is only a dream here.

Occupation of Government House, murder in the streets and closing the international airports.

But there is still no justice for those criminals.

This is the probably red's version of 'suicide bombers', it is their suicide of the tourism industry and the international corporate investors in Thailands future growth.

I think we had the suicide of the tourist industry last November when a million or so tourists were stranded at Suvarnabhumi...I can't remember the colour of their shirts, can you?

Actually tourism was recovering quite well until the REDS starting going postal at Black Songkran. Lets focus on the here and now. It is Thaksin and his reds who are the major threats to the economy of Thailand.

You don't write for The Nation by chance?

The reason I ask is that they seem to have the ability to draw conclusions in the HEADLINES without any physical evidence as well.

This is truly developing into an unholy union and I'm putting less and less credence in anything I read in either The Nation or on ThaiVisa these days.

I think we westerners have very little talking room. From the Wall Street Journal, Feb 23, 2010;

"Thailand's GDP grew at its quickest pace in 10 years, expanding 3.6% in the fourth quarter from the July-September period. Compared with a year earlier, GDP rose 5.8%. Exports, tourism and agriculture all rebounded, leading the government to upgrade its 2010 forecasts. On a seasonally adjusted, annualized basis, the Thai economy grew 15.3%, according to Barclays Capital. "

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405...3478387802.html

So whether tourism is 6% or 8%, I think this is a sign of a rational and pro-active government. Again, many of us in the west have little talking room.

If you have an agenda (like cheering for the present regime) then you will grasp at any statistics, even ones that are blind to history and the country involved. Stating that the Thai economy "grew" at a 15.3% annualized is deceptive and showing lack of knowledge of what was happening in Thailand in the fall of 2008..... It's base effect, silly. 3rd and 4th quarter of 2008 were disasters in Thailand's economy, particularly in tourism and exports, so almost anything will look good compared to that.

Agriculture has been a small part $ wise of the economy in modern history employing the largest single group of people in the country and for that reason it still enjoys a disproportionate amount of social and political clout. The Thais are smart enough to know that feeding yourself is an important national priority and they remain one of the leading exporters of rice in the world.

Manufacturing for export is the economic engine that is driving the "New Thailand" accounting for 40+% of the economy and that is what descended into the depths in the fall of 2008. Any small recovery is welcome but exports are obviously more reliant upon foreign economies willing to buy the products vs actions within the country itself. A large part of that manufacturing base is owned/controlled by foreign companies who built in Thailand to take advantage of what used to be low cost labor and forgiving government regulation. I'm not sure if Thailand will ever recover that edge they had in the past.

As was published in that paper we are not allowed to quote here, tourist arrivals in 2009 were down 3% over an abysmal showing in 2008 so the Thai tourist industry has plenty of room to show positive growth in the coming year! I doubt the incentives offered will have any positive effect on tourist traffic but I'm sure the airlines will welcome a decrease in the landing fees so they are helping those airlines that are struggling. Most tourists that arrive in Thailand are on a 30 day visa waiver stamp so the free tourist visas have little or no effect IMO.

Thailand really does want no tourists...

first mass protest and riot warnings

now bombings where you could lose your life or a limb just to get your money to spend here...

i guess an informed tourist is not looking thailand to come and spend their hollidays here

If this was a post about "tuk-tuk scams" or "bar girl scams" or some other tourist related post I could see your comment but COME ON. We are talking about bank bombings and TOURISTS are probably the last thing on the bombers minds.

But personal safety is one of the first things on the mind of a tourist traveling to Asia these days. And there will now be another round of "warnings" from the travel offices about safety in Thailand. The cumulative effect of all of these will make a difference to some tourists I'm sure.

Very sad time for the Land of Smiles I think.

I think they are playing a very wierd game of creating panic,the government that is.

The reds have openly stating their goal is to topple the current and totally legitimate government by any means needed. Panic isn't good. Defense is. Get real, the red threats are real.

Yes, and the means the present regime seems to fear the most: fair and free elections!

How would you propose to "prevent" further attacks?

This is a matter for good police work interviewing the people at the scene, not a job for the army.

If the government truly wishes to catch the guys throwing the grenades it would be better to utilize your best, competent police investigators rather than grand-standing to public sentiment with the threat of the army IMO.

Exploding grenades and broken glass in bank buildings simply damages the image of Thailand and distracts attention from the root problem of an un-elected government that continues to cling to power. The present group has shown us all (by having their surrogates occupy Government House and closing the airports) what lengths they will go to obtaining that position of power.

I think the former prime minister has no future in Thai politics and he needs to accept the millions he has now and move on with his life.

I think a fairly held general election would do more to defuse the situation and stop the violence than anything. But will the military and Bangkok elite ever respect the will of the people? That is the question.

"Current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government had predicted unrest after the court ruling on Thaksin's wealth."

This incredible precognitive insight is without peer and could only have been mastered by studying at the most prestigious Ivy League universites that England has to offer! I am so impressed!!!

Amazing ability to predict the future I'm thinking! If there isn't any violence after the decision maybe breaking some glass and positioning some soldiers at the MRT entrances will make us look "in charge of the situation" for the evening news?

I wish only peace and a fairly elected government for the Thai people. They seem to have neither at the moment.

Even though implementation may be years away, I'm betting there are more than a few Pattaya residences that are a little nervous about it. Maybe their past will catch-up with them after all?

Isn't the direct route from North Korea over China, Mongolia, Kazakstan, Russia then into Ukraine, yes? Taking a 7000km detour doesn't make sense. I guess thats what made the Thai authorities suspicious in the first place.

I reckon the crew knew what they had on board.

Of course they knew what was in the shipment.

Since when is North Korea known for being a source of oil drilling equipment to start with? And the crew knew they were involved in a flight that was contrary to multiple UN sanctions even if there was a slim chance the cargo was actually what was on the manifest.

In my opinion the Thais have managed to find a course of action which will anger just about everyone in the international community (releasing obvious arms smugglers) and all because of a back-hander some one is getting along the way. The Middle Eastern or African buyer isn't going to be happy, North Korea won't be happy for losing their shipment and Belarus and Kazakhstan likely could give a hoot about these guys who brought them some bad press. One more time someone high in government will benefit and the military will get some new toys at the price of world opinion about Thailand.

One more time Thailand can be counted on to be a responsible member of the United Nations and the world community-NOT!

Opening the Interpol office in Pattaya is good news.

Plenty of criminals of all nationalities running around that Thailand could do without. Maybe the office can help with the extraditions that are pending at the moment? But no, I would guess that is a matter for the local courts.

The crackdown is just another crackdown seen on a recurring basis. The bar business has seen a few weeks of high season so it is time to share the wealth I'm afraid.

It would be interesting to know where HowardV got his stats on Pattaya being "ninety percent falang".

~WISteve

When I fly into a Midwestern airport and get into a four door, late model air conditioned taxi the flag drop fee is between $5 and $6 dollars US. This gentlemen is proposing a flag drop fee than is nearly $8 for an open air trike with no suspension that spews noxious fumes in my face at every stop sign.

He's not trying to solve the problem equitably, he trying to legitimize the price gouging.

"Sorry sir, but that is the official price as adopted by the city government of Phuket."

An international tourist destination?

Rapidly becoming less of one with each news story featuring violent or larceny prone natives.

~WISteve

Very good point!

Lots of good recovery software around - I used FinalRecovery to save some photos from a memory card...

Just don't use the card again until you get the old stuff recovered.

How to pass this info on to Ms Alyson?

ps - caning is a good idea - snatch and grabs are a dangerous physical assault, not mere theft.

Indeed it is dangerous!

I remember the poor lady in Bangkok who died from the assault of a passing snatch-and-grab crew not so long ago!

Glad they caught this bunch anyway!

~WISteve

My sympathies to the family for this brazen attack.

Don't expect they will be booking their next vacation in the sunny Land of Smiles?

- Cambodia surely is disrupting Thailands internal affairs. If you don't agree with that, well...then I presume you put less value on Thaksin than most red do.

Thailand's sycophantic royalist/loyalist 'government' and mainstream media is leading Thai people (and some foreigners apparently) to think that Cambodia is disrupting Thailands internal affairs.

Sorry, the Thai's are doing it to THEMSELVES.

I liked that cartoon a few years back that had Thaksin saying "Boo!" from Singapore and the military junta were pictured as crapping themselves behind their line of tanks and guns.

I would have to agree with you there. After all, it was Thailand's wonderful system that let him out on bail in the first place. he has become the bogeyman to blame all current problems upon. If it snowed on Xmas day here, it would probably be Thaksin's fault.

You do wonder though, if they stopped talking, thinking, dreaming, discussing, wondering about Thaksin, what would the Dems, Sondhi and all the others have to do all day?

Of course, the Dems would have to get serious about running the country, and Sondhi would be busy having a go at them. So better for all concerned if Thaksin stays well and truly in the public eye.

The healthy thing for Thailand's and Cambodia's citizens would be for the politicians to stop with their posturing and sit down to iron-out their differences. Sadly we are seeing nothing but the same old, same old in the Thai news media about the pardon. It is far too expedient to keep Mr T as the scapegoat for all the ills in Thailand, while the current administration ignores pressing needs in the Thai economy and society. I wish Mr T would simply fade away if he's not going to return to serve his sentence but the Dems and the media they control wouldn't hear of it.

~WISteve

Reuters is running with the story as well.

"Thai authorities hold crew after arms found on plane

Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:56pm IST

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai security forces seized more than 35 tonnes of arms and arrested five crew members after a cargo plane made an emergency landing to refuel at a Bangkok airport on Saturday, officials said.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the arrests were made after the plane had landed at Don Muang airport and "suspicious" cargo was found on board.

"We have detained five crew. But we can't confirm where the plane was heading to. Roughly, the destination is in Asia, probably South Asia, and the plane came from North Asia," he told Reuters.

Monthon Sutchukorn, a deputy spokesman for the Thai air force, said the plane had departed from North Korea but had no further details.

Media reports said the plane had initially sought permission to land at Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi international airport but had been diverted to the capital's second airport, Don Muang.

Local media said four of the crew members were from Kazakhstan and one was from Belarus.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Khettiya Jittapong; Writing by Alan Raybould)

Reuters India

Heading from North Korea to South Asia.

Myanmar certainly comes to mind and it would be consistent with the path taken.

~WISteve

Well of course he did. I'm sure it happened as soon as Thaksin's "investment donation check" cleared....

I actually think most Thai people will recognize this for what it is - a farce.

I see this as a good diplomatic move by the Cambodians to cool off the whole situation. It does neither side any good to prolong the incident, whether the truth supported the charges or not. Normalized relations are to the benefit of Thai and Cambodian people alike. The Cambodian PM has had his fun, now talk some sense into him privately and push the former Thai PM out the back door.

~WISteve

This move stinks of cynicism, desperation and puerility. An unelected government hiding behind... I won't go on.

Thank you for not going on.

On the point of an unelected government, this governement has been duly elected and is completely legitimate.

Thank you for finally stating clearly exactly as to where moderators and as such Thai Visa stands on the issue of the reds. I also like that you don't bother wasting time with with long and boring tale of what actually did happen, I have always been a big fan of revisionism as winners should write the history books.

I also liked your dig at the dissenter from the party line, how about just banning any pro-red b*stards and stop the pretending once and for all? Keep them Nation stories coming. Nothing bugs me more than people with non-conformist views, especially when the smart a*ses keep digging up inconvenient facts. Keep up the good work!

Extending the festivities is just manipulation of the people's emotions IMO.

Let the opposition be heard freely and call an election soon to let the people decide the direction the country should be taking.

~WISteve

O- folks, please donate blood often wherever you are! you are universal donors, so anyone of any blood type can take your blood if their blood type is not available.

Yes, our best hope being type O negative is that others will be there for us when we need it.

Scarce as hens teeth here in Thailand we are.

Do your duty and put your faith in Karma and other falang who are like-minded.

~WISteve

The Office of Tourism Development maintains a usable web site where they track arrivals at Swampy each month and have comparisons with the prior year.

Office of Tourism Development

They have been running 10-20% behind the prior year January through July. If you look at August and September they are supposedly slightly above 2008 arrivals. But keep in mind, the base months at the end of 2008 were horrible in Thailand! I'm wondering if they aren't some how extrapolating the monthly "increases" at this time of year to the entire year? For the year they have to down a couple of million at minimum, but apparently they won't let the real numbers get in the way of declaring that all is right again?

Just wait until they get to December 2009. They will have an enormous increase in tourism! Of course the airport was closed for 10 days in December 2008, but we won't mention that in declaring the BIG increase in tourist arrivals!

~WISteve

Another fire trap gone,

But more importantly is the fate of the corner niche "Love Lounge" bar, or to that effect.

(near the elevators),

Nothing says romance like smashed cock roaches on the bar wall that never get cleaned.

But the outside Golden, the hotel's perennial cash cow and premiere people watching venue will never go away by sheer virtue of, Location, Location, Location.

Yes, love watching the world go by in Golden Bar.

The bosses always looked a little too "Sicilian" for my taste, if you get my drift?

Do they EVER smile?

Stick was right. Once the cover charge was instituted at Angels Disco, it's fate was sealed.

~WISteve

As much as I detest invasion of privacy, perhaps it is time to start fingerprinting to keep out undesirables, and capture criminals that are already in country. It does seem to be becoming the place for shady individuals.

I am a firm believer in giving a test to all who want to come to Thailand before they get on the plane, weed out the fools and misfits. This is no place to be without a brain.

Thailand has ALWAYS been a place for shady characters. They would have to deport many supposedly upstanding falang if they did background checks on all of us!

Some criminals are actually very bright people clinically, they just display anti-social and criminal behavior at odd times.

There are a lot of things unknown right now: what the motive was, if he had a criminal background, how he was identified, what happened to the gun & the money...........

Just the beginning of a developing story I assume.

~WISteve

As I recall the belt thing just started this year?

Haven't had to remove it before in my memory and I don't have to do it anywhere in the USA, Japan or Hong Kong.

It seems silly and if there was anything of consequence hidden in my belt I assume the metal detector would spot that, but we've all grown accustomed to invasion of our privacy if we travel so.........?

~WISteve

There is overwhelming concern about possibility of red demos inflicting damage to the country in one way or another, I bet all those people feel relieved now.

And closing the airport last December to install your own "shirt" for a PM didn't harm the nation in the least bit?

Maybe the money not came?

No money no rally.....

I am not aware that the red shirts do get a cut of the 10% surcharge that this government has planned on an outrageous loan that they are about to take out OR were you born yesterday?

You are not aware that most of the red shirts join for a 500 Baht per day.

Paid demonstrators are nothing new to Thailand on either side of the argument.

But wouldn't it be a shock to learn that some Thai people (without being paid) would prefer an elected government over a regime installed with money and thuggery?

~WISteve

Not allowed to protest? They were allowed to protest as long as it was civil or orderly. Perhaps that was too much to ask for.

That's not true.

They cooled their statements a bit after the fact, but Suthep (the guy who is really in control) came out with a blanket statement according to Agence France Presse:

"......"No demonstration will be allowed in the area under the Internal Security Act," Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters, adding that it would also cover the cabinet and prime minister's offices at Government House.

His announcement came just a day after Abhisit said the protesters would be allowed to mass in the area, but that they would be subject to the security law which allows the military to take to the streets."

The Himilayan/Agence France Presse

~WISteve