Mae Sai Burma Protests

[marvink]

I heared a rumour about a big protest in Mae Sai, against the Junta. This is meant to be taking place on Monday.

I was wondering if it would be adviseable for a Farang to go along. Are protests of this type technically illegal in Thailand. Obviously this is taking place on the Thai side - by the border I believe.

Can anyone confirm if this is true, and if so are they going.

My wife is Burmese (american passport holder) and she wants to go.

Thank you

[threelegcowboy]

Is that the same boarder that the Burmese shelled into Thailand about 12 years ago? If so be sure and take your camera.

[chavy]

If I was you I'd stay well away. That's my opinion but is entirely up to you what you do. These things tend to get out of hand so why run the risk of being caught up in something you can do very little about ?

[cdnvic]

Taking a risk as an observer is up to you, but taking part in a political demonstration in someone else's country is usually a bad idea.

[Maigo6]

Can be risky to be in an area where protests can turn violent.

Some years ago I was in the city of San Sebastian, in the Basque region of Northern Spain. I noticed many Police cars and trucks parked in many streets, there was a Festival of some sorts going on, this Festival then turned into an anti government demonstration by the Basque Nationalists, ETA supporters etc. The main demonstartion was in the old town, and from what I could see it was pretty violent.

The Spanish Police had obviously been expecting this, hence the massive police reserve in the City. I was in a main square with my French wife when it started to turn nasty for us, long story short, we had to run away from a charging force of Spanish Riot Police who were using Batons indiscriminately on anybody, I saw an old man being attacked with Batons while his terrified wife sat on a bench with him, and a young boy who appeared to be maybe 12 years old was hit by a Riot police and knocked to the ground, I didn't stick around to witness any more brutality from the Spanish riot Police, we just ran.

In the square I was in, people had moved away from any major areas where trouble was going on, then over excited Riot Police attacked a square of non protesting people, observers and holiday makers.

Good luck if you go, just take care.

Edited September 29, 2007 by Maigo6