Backpackers out, protesters in: Bangkok hostels offer secret refuge

By Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

A 27-year-old anti-government protester rests with fellows in a hostel that houses protesters during the ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok, Thailand, October 19, 2020. Picture taken October 19, 2020. REUTERS/Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - As thousands of Thai protesters try to keep up months of anti-establishment rallies, dozens of hostels across Bangkok have thrown open their doors to give weary demonstrators a refuge, sometimes for free.

 

With protesters at times facing water cannon and playing cat and mouse with police in sweltering conditions until late into the evenings, many have been sleeping on the street.

 

"I felt bad for those who didn't have places to stay," said a 23-year-old medical student, who declined to give her name due to concerns about being targeted by authorities.

 

She has been offering free rooms online to protesters, she said.

 

A Twitter account, Mobmeeteenon ("protesters have places to sleep"), is helping to link up protesters to rooms after the government brought in an emergency decree this month and cracked down on people camping outside government houses.

 

Another 25-year-old volunteer, who has also helped organise places to stay, said around 500 people had been hosted since the effort to provide rooms started.

 

Besides a bed, protesters are given three meals per day and transportation to protests.

 

There is plenty of space in hotels and hostels in usually bustling Bangkok, which is virtually empty of foreign tourists since authorities shut Thailand's borders to most commercial flights in April to contain the coronavirus.

 

One protester from Chonburi province east of Bangkok was surprised to be offered a bed when he thought he would be sleeping on the street after a recent rally.

 

"There are four people sleeping in this room. This is my spot," said the 27-year-old, speaking from a hostel in central Bangkok.

 

The government tried to defuse tensions on Thursday, rolling back an emergency decree that had included bans on political gatherings of five or more people and on publishing news that could affect security.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-22

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Nice !????

13 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

dozens of hostels across Bangkok have thrown open their doors to give weary demonstrators a refuge, sometimes for free.

Great news,tide is turning

Asian collectivity can be a wonderful thing, Having said that, I've been down and out in Thailand, albeit briefly, and the hospitality I received belies the common image portrayed on this forum. I dunno, maybe I was just lucky, 

Glad so many are benefiting from these protests.  It is up to the youth to fix their country and all hotel owners know that. 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The government tried to defuse tensions on Thursday, rolling back an emergency decree that had included bans on political gatherings of five or more people and on publishing news that could affect security.

The security of a bunch of usurping dinosaurs.  

 

If the youth hate the government, the government must change.  They have time on their side.  

nice gesture by the hostels. backpackers stay out or go to Khoasan rd. 

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

As thousands of Thai protesters try to keep up months of anti-establishment rallies, dozens of hostels across Bangkok have thrown open their doors to give weary demonstrators a refuge, sometimes for free.

Nice to see Thais who cannot participate directly giving those that do a helping hand.

I wonder if the big fella might send the BIB round and put pressure on the owners and charge them with aiding and abetting

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

hostels offer secret refuge

Good for all the supporters that are helping to maintain the students protest.

Kudos to the youth, and even more kudos to these kind and generous souls, for providing support for these heroes. Thailand needs change, and it needs it yesterday. The dinosaurs must go. The sooner, the better. 

18 hours ago, ChipButty said:

I wonder if the big fella might send the BIB round and put pressure on the owners and charge them with aiding and abetting

Their operating licences will be revoked, when they apply for one lol

Elf and Safety people give then a visit

On 10/22/2020 at 5:46 PM, YetAnother said:

Great news,tide is turning

How is the tide turning, what do you expect to change from all these protests?

16 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Kudos to the youth, and even more kudos to these kind and generous souls, for providing support for these heroes. Thailand needs change, and it needs it yesterday. The dinosaurs must go. The sooner, the better. 

How much change ( for the better ) have you seen in your time here.

 

Apart from access to technology and the availibility of certain goods i've seen none in 20 years +

 

Bring back Thaksin, life was easy ( for farangs ) when he was the boss.

31 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

How is the tide turning, what do you expect to change from all these protests?

I don't expect much change, the boys in power have all the strings at the moment, but it's nice to see Prayut sweat for once and have to explain his actions in stopping innocent protesters by invoking a serious emergency decree.

5 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I don't expect much change, the boys in power have all the strings at the moment, but it's nice to see Prayut sweat for once and have to explain his actions in stopping innocent protesters by invoking a serious emergency decree.

So, the tide's not really turning at all then is it...

4 hours ago, HashBrownHarry said:

So, the tide's not really turning at all then is it...

It's not turned yet but there are definite ripples on the horizon.

6 hours ago, HashBrownHarry said:

How much change ( for the better ) have you seen in your time here.

 

Apart from access to technology and the availibility of certain goods i've seen none in 20 years +

 

Bring back Thaksin, life was easy ( for farangs ) when he was the boss.

 

Anyone but Prayuth, who is the most regressive, in decades. Justin Bieber would be far better a leader.