Duke Of York To Visit Thailand And Take Audience With HM The King

[Kimera]

I have never understood why the Brits complain about their royal family. I am not British, but I find them pretty unintrusive and interesting.

At any rate, I hope Andrew has a successful visit.

(PS Charles couldn't come because he's all worried about his carbon footprint!)

We don't all complain, HRH Andrew is a war veteran and HM Queen Elizabeth is a fine monarch. They do their duty.

Expecting abuse is imminent..

Yes good post, the Royal family DO their duty and are excellent ambassadors God save the Queen !

Edited August 30, 2008 by Kimera

[JetsetBkk]

Don't forget all those brilliant French military victories.

[taxexile]

Royal visit cancelled as Thai unrest spirals

Prince Andrew has cancelled an official visit to Thailand next week because of the political unrest in Bangkok, Buckingham Palace said.

By Thomas Bell in Bangkok and Ben Leach

Last Updated: 12:09AM BST 31 Aug 2008

Prince Andrew was expected to visit in his capacity as UK special representative Photo: AP The Duke of York had been due to visit the country from Sunday until September 5, in his capacity as UK special representative for International Trade and Investment.

But following clashes between demonstrators and police he decided to postpone his visit. "With the agreement of the Royal Thai and British Governments the Duke of York has decided it would be appropriate to postpone his official visit to Thailand to a later date," a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.

The announcement follows a series of anti-government protests which have prevented the Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej from reaching his office since Tuesday - and left thousands of tourists stranded.

"I will never resign in response to these threats," Mr Samak said to cheers from the crowd attending an event in honour of the crown prince at a sports stadium in Bangkok.

Earlier Mr Samak had met Thailand's revered king - who has apparently not withdrawn his support from the beleaguered prime minister.

The protest movement has spread beyond the capital, Bangkok, following clashes between demonstrators and police.

For a second day on Saturday tourists were stranded and airports at the resorts of Phuket and Krabi were closed after being picketed by members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is demanding the resignation of the government.

Amid heightening political tension it appeared that the government may be running out of time.

A grim-faced Mr Samak went for a meeting with the powerful army chief, Anupong Paojinda, on Friday as rumours swirled of an imminent coup.

Gen Anupong has repeatedly denied that the army will seize power for the second time in two years.

Scuffles broke out earlier that morning when around 1000 riot police entered the compound of government house - occupied by thousands of members of the PAD since Tuesday - to serve a court order requiring the PAD to leave.

Demonstrators armed with baseball bats, metal pipes and golf clubs had driven police out of an area at the back of the extensive site.

In the evening tear gas was used to repel PAD members trying to storm a police station to complain about what they called "police brutality".

There were also clashes when police dismantled a PAD stage at a separate location in the city.

The difficulties for travellers could get worse. The staff union of Thai International Airways, the national flag carrier, called on workers to strike following the clashes in the morning.

Railway services are disrupted and the protestors have even threatened to shut down a power plant. The English language Nation newspaper claimed on its website that there is an "uprising in [the] making".

The protestors - whose leaders face arrest warrants for treason - are refusing to leave government property until Mr Samak's 6 month old elected government of resigns.

They accuse the administration of corruption and links to the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in exile in Britain.

They also present themselves as defenders of the monarchy against the alleged republicanism of Mr Thaksin, although Mr Thaksin strongly denies such views.

Mr Samak, who won elections in December and formed a coalition in February, has vowed to handle the crisis without resorting to force to drive the protestors off his front lawn.

Analysts say any violence would play into the protestors' hands. That assessment seems to have been vindicated by the morning's events.

After five days of occupation the lawn is muddy, the complex is strewn with litter and draped with tarpaulins and improvised shelters.

The police are not preventing more protestors from entering government house, and supporters are keeping them well supplied with everything from food and water to fresh underwear.

[Spee]

Royal visit cancelled as Thai unrest spirals

Prince Andrew has cancelled an official visit to Thailand next week because of the political unrest in Bangkok, Buckingham Palace said.

The visit was to look into ways to expand business and trade between the countries. Apparently the Brits have enough answers already.

[astral]

This topic is now closed.

I have deleted many of the abusive comments, which will not be tolerated.

When there is news of a new date for HRH visit a new thread can be started.