State Of Emergency Declared

[rainman]

Didn't you see the news? The blindfolded and bound hostages have been released. People are free to leave Thailand.

They were always free to leave Thailand. They just can't because they can't get a flight. Oh wait, some of them have started walking back home to Japan, France and the United States. They should be home soon!

Whatever you guys ate this morning, I want some of it. Must make things feel a lot better than they really are.

[bubba]

Not everyone is able to catch a flight out of U-Tapao.

Why? Because they don't have the additional couple of hundred baht for taxi fare?

Because if you haven't noticed, only a limited number of airlines are landing, not of every country and not nearly enough to get everybody home?

Oh OK, I understand now.

Now then, where do I sign up for your farang posse to go and show them PAD some western style justice, Sheriff Rainman?

[Journalist]

If the police or army doesn't act this weekend, perhaps it is time for the foreigners who are stuck in Thailand to drive the PAD out of the airport? I am sure that 30,000 people who want to go home can clean up 3,000 PAD. If the PAD turn violent against the foreigners, the police or army will be forced to act.

Oh really? And you will organise that will you?

Actually i'm astonished there weren't any fights with travellers. If I was there, I could foresee myself going postal on some wazzock in a balaclava.

(...and then me getting beaten into a pulp by 20 of them carrying big sticks)

[Wolfie]

Not everyone is able to catch a flight out of U-Tapao.

Why? Because they don't have the additional couple of hundred baht for taxi fare?

I think his issue is with the quantity and limited destinations of flights from that airport - nothing less than the exact flight he requires will do!

If getting out of the country is that important to you, just take the next available flight from that airport, then get a flight to where ever you need to go from there. Inconvenient, yes, time consuming, yes, expensive, probably... but at least it gets you to where you wanna be

If those options don't appeal to you, get out via Road, as i understand it the borders are still open

[Thailand]

Surprised more of the airlines are not using Chiang Mai more as well as U Tapao. Scheduled International flights going as usual to Korea, Taipei, China, KL, Singapore. Did check a couple of prices with Air Asia, their CH TO KL flights are double the normal cost! Assume others may be doing similalrly.

[farmerjo]

Have lost 60000 baht in two days over this mess and still waiting to get out of the country,i am small fry,pity for the people losing jobs over it.

<snip>

[kmj]

If the decision is made to clear the PAD from the 3 main protest sites what are the logistics? Maybe 3000-4000 protesters over 3 sites do the police have the numbers to clear all 3 at the same time without military support?

Or

Do they clear government house first (the one easiest for PAD to strengthen with additional support) then clear Don Muang and hope for a domino effect?

The domino effect option is a risky strategy, giving the PAD leadership time to rile-up the Suvarnabhumi group which at the moment is the largest…

[rainman]

Now then, where do I sign up for your farang posse to go and show them PAD some western style justice, Sheriff Rainman?

As soon as you tell me where to get some of whatever you're on this morning. Surely it doesn't contain the ingredient called 'reality'.

[jdinasia]

If the police or army doesn't act this weekend, perhaps it is time for the foreigners who are stuck in Thailand to drive the PAD out of the airport? I am sure that 30,000 people who want to go home can clean up 3,000 PAD. If the PAD turn violent against the foreigners, the police or army will be forced to act.

This one however, is clearly a joke.

a big joke!

But he is one that we are supposed to believe when he tells us about the PAd getting paid? (How many people would honestly hang our while getting bombs lobbed at them regularly for spare change?)

I really am curious how long the Gov't can hang on though, I expected them to have been forced to resign or a coup by now!!

[Moonrakers]

Have lost 60000 baht in two days over this mess and still waiting to get out of the country,i am small fry,pity for the people losing jobs over it.

<snip>

You mean Somchai?

[sriracha john]

Didn't you see the news? The blindfolded and bound hostages have been released. People are free to leave Thailand.

They were always free to leave Thailand. They just can't because they can't get a flight. Oh wait, some of them have started walking back home to Japan, France and the United States. They should be home soon!

Whatever you guys ate this morning, I want some of it. Must make things feel a lot better than they really are.

It's called a reality check. You should stir some into your morning coffee.

They may be inconvenienced, they may even have to (gasp) wait hours... but they can get home.

A transportation strike anywhere at anytime has the same effect. You can either decide to work around it or find a hundred excuses why you CHOOSE not to work around it.

[bubba]

Now then, where do I sign up for your farang posse to go and show them PAD some western style justice, Sheriff Rainman?

As soon as you tell me where to get some of whatever you're on this morning. Surely it doesn't contain the ingredient called 'reality'.

Right, so I shall defer to your far more realistic suggestion of organising farang to liberate Suvarnabhumi from PAD.

I was only suggesting the possibility of looking at one of the flights that are operating from U-Tapao for those who are desperate to get out, but perhaps not desperate enough to join your posse.

[TexasRanger]

we are supposed to believe when he tells us about the PAd getting paid? (How many people would honestly hang our while getting bombs lobbed at them regularly for spare change?)

Not all of course, but some for sure.

[jdinasia]

Have lost 60000 baht in two days over this mess and still waiting to get out of the country,i am small fry,pity for the people losing jobs over it.

<snip>

How has a farmerjo lost 60k baht in 2 days over this? Hanging out in underground casinos whilst waiting?

[quiksilva]

Once again: Sorry for sounding ignorant. I've been living in NY for the past couple of years so I haven't really been keeping up. Can anyone from both sides answer me this? Why are you fighting? It's a simple question.

Thaksin is the simple version of the answer to your simple question. Understanding that requires a very long answer and would detract from this thread.

Check out the link below to start.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584005.stm

The Economist also has a good analysis of the current situation and in this article benchmark what is happening in Thailand against the rest of Asia, which I thought was very interesting.

[jts-khorat]

So with an attitude like this, why exactly are you living in Thailand, amongst Thai people, who are struggling to solve a huge rift that has been created by the ex PM

isn't the rift over vote-buying and was it not Thai people who actually sold themselves for a few Baht. Maybe exactly the same people, ironically, who now sit as human shields in the airport for pretty much the same amount and a few sandwiches thrown in.

come on, those Thais are not struggling now -- but they will, after they messed up their economy and public standing in the eye of the world for good. Lets see who will hand out their bowl of rice then.

[MKAsok]

CNN just reported that there wasn't even a single policeman in or outside the terminal building at Suvarnabhumi as far as their reporter there could see as of now: around 13.50 local time.

[Samuian]

Not everyone is able to catch a flight out of U-Tapao.

Why? Because they don't have the additional couple of hundred baht for taxi fare?

Because if you haven't noticed, only a limited number of airlines are landing, not of every country and not nearly enough to get everybody home?

Whinging never gave anybody wings nor made them more intelligent to solve their problem!

In this case it's the PAD in a different case could be volcanic eruption, tsunami (we had this one) other natural disasters (like kathrine), workers strike, well get real and don't forget to breathe!

There is a bunch of people out there trying very hard to topple a complete inapt corrupt, self serving government which tries to remain long enough into their seats to change the constitution to get a general amnesty for their mates, which ave just recently been ousted by a military coup which was sanctioned (so people say) by some highest figures and most honored in this country, if they get their way, some very importnt people have given in to a bunch of the real thugs- understood?

[jts-khorat]

Have lost 60000 baht in two days over this mess and still waiting to get out of the country,i am small fry,pity for the people losing jobs over it.

<snip>

How has a farmerjo lost 60k baht in 2 days over this? Hanging out in underground casinos whilst waiting?

I am sure you must have heard of perishable produce; just a little tip. Second tip: his name is farmerjo.

[SabaiBKK]

So with an attitude like this, why exactly are you living in Thailand, amongst Thai people, who are struggling to solve a huge rift that has been created by the ex PM

isn't the rift over vote-buying and was it not Thai people who actually sold themselves for a few Baht. Maybe exactly the same people, ironically, who now sit as human shields in the airport for pretty much the same amount and a few sandwiches thrown in.

come on, those Thais are not struggling now -- but they will, after they messed up their economy and public standing in the eye of the world for good. Lets see who will hand out their bowl of rice then.

the economy and the credibility (image) of Thailand was messed up way before these events WAKE UP!

[rainman]

I was only suggesting the possibility of looking at one of the flights that are operating from U-Tapao for those who are desperate to get out, but perhaps not desperate enough to join your posse.

What part don't you get of the fact that not every airline, not to every country, flies out of U-Tapao? Or are you suggesting that tourists from Madrid fly to Paris and then walk the rest of the distance with 2 small children and all the luggage? The last I heard, all flights out of U-Tapao were twice the regular price and all airplanes fully booked.

Did you think about the fact that not everyone can get a flight and not everyone can afford to pay twice the price?

[Wolfie]

I am sure you must have heard of perishable produce; just a little tip. Second tip: his name is farmerjo.

40k in product and 20k spending the last 3 days rat-ar$ed waiting for the airports to get cleared

[rainman]

There is a bunch of people out there trying very hard to topple a complete inapt corrupt, self serving government which tries to remain long enough into their seats to change the constitution to get a general amnesty for their mates, which ave just recently been ousted by a military coup which was sanctioned (so people say) by some highest figures and most honored in this country, if they get their way, some very importnt people have given in to a bunch of the real thugs- understood?

Not understood. The government is sitting in Chiang Mai, not at the Suvarnabhumi airport.

[KireB]

Didn't you see the news? The blindfolded and bound hostages have been released. People are free to leave Thailand.

They were always free to leave Thailand. They just can't because they can't get a flight. Oh wait, some of them have started walking back home to Japan, France and the United States. They should be home soon!

Whatever you guys ate this morning, I want some of it. Must make things feel a lot better than they really are.

Why would one worry about the 'fate' (everyone is safe so far) of a few foreigners, when the future of an entire country is at stake.

Are foreigners more important than Thais? Is that what you're saying?

[farmerjo]

Purely loss of income from a contract job.

[rainman]

Why would one worry bout the 'afte' of a few foreigners, when the future of an entire country is at stake.

Are foreigners more important than Thais? Is that what you're saying?

If foreigners are not important, why is the airport being targeted?

[dave9988]

Source: Editorial Opinion from The Straits Times - 28 November 2008

The amazing thing about Thailand right now is that the whole airport standoff basically comes down to two arguments. One about the freedom to protest, and the other about that protest blocking other people's freedom to travel. In the US, UK or anywhere else in the world these people would have been forcibly and violently removed from the airports within hours. Thailand has a better overall idea of the basic tenets of freedom, democracy and respect for your fellow man than any other country I have ever lived in. Bravo.

About those who have lost millions of baht in business because of what happened? To hel_l with them?

Where do you work? Maybe I can find some reason to protest there and keep you out of work!

[SabaiBKK]

I was only suggesting the possibility of looking at one of the flights that are operating from U-Tapao for those who are desperate to get out, but perhaps not desperate enough to join your posse.

What part don't you get of the fact that not every airline, not to every country, flies out of U-Tapao? Or are you suggesting that tourists from Madrid fly to Paris and then walk the rest of the distance with 2 small children and all the luggage? The last I heard, all flights out of U-Tapao were twice the regular price and all airplanes fully booked.

Did you think about the fact that not everyone can get a flight and not everyone can afford to pay twice the price?

oh come on now , people can wait a bit , they won't lose their jobs if they are smart enough to call and tell their boss to turn the tv on, as for the price of the planes , wait till the problem is settled and the airlines will fly you out for no additional charge on the ticket you already have....

enjoy the extra holiday time

[jdinasia]

Have lost 60000 baht in two days over this mess and still waiting to get out of the country,i am small fry,pity for the people losing jobs over it.

Send the yellow bastards to jail

How has a farmerjo lost 60k baht in 2 days over this? Hanging out in underground casinos whilst waiting?

I am sure you must have heard of perishable produce; just a little tip. Second tip: his name is farmerjo.

Thank you FarmerJTS --- but air freight accounts for a very small percentage of fresh produce shipped world wide

Then again you think this has destroyed the Thai economy etc :/

[solent01]

So with an attitude like this, why exactly are you living in Thailand, amongst Thai people, who are struggling to solve a huge rift that has been created by the ex PM

isn't the rift over vote-buying and was it not Thai people who actually sold themselves for a few Baht. Maybe exactly the same people, ironically, who now sit as human shields in the airport for pretty much the same amount and a few sandwiches thrown in.

come on, those Thais are not struggling now -- but they will, after they messed up their economy and public standing in the eye of the world for good. Lets see who will hand out their bowl of rice then.

Have you been paying any attention to current affairs over the last 2/3 years