Us Citizens Warned Of Possible Violence In Chiang Mai On Sunday

[webfact]

US citizens warned of possible violence in Chiang Mai on Sunday

The US Consulate General in Chiang Mai warned American citizens to exercise caution if they visit Chiang Mai on Sunday due to possible violent protests against the prime minister.

The consulate issued a warning on its Web site and urged US citizens to regularly monitor news from the consulate.

"We wish to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. U.S. citizens should monitor local media to keep updated with the latest information of any demonstrations and areas to avoid," the waning said.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

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[StevieH]

anyone think this is genuinely likely to be troublesome? got some friends arriving saturday night who are staying on chang klan.

[Dpolenz]

anyone think this is genuinely likely to be troublesome? got some friends arriving saturday night who are staying on chang klan.

yES IF THEY PARTAKE IN THE PROTEST AND WEAR RED SHIRTS AND ACT LIKE SOME CRAZY FARANG THAT WE SAW AT THE ASEAN SUMMIT LOL

Edited November 26, 2009 by PeaceBlondie
Shouting reduced in size.

[givenall]

anyone think this is genuinely likely to be troublesome? got some friends arriving saturday night who are staying on chang klan.

yES IF THEY PARTAKE IN THE PROTEST AND WEAR RED SHIRTS AND ACT LIKE SOME CRAZY FARANG THAT WE SAW AT THE ASEAN SUMMIT LOL

This kind of anarchy and lawlessness show the true face of Thailand and also the lack of police discipline to enforce the law. It shows the people join the police for their own benefit and not the public

I don’t think this time make a lot of differences since the number os American tourist is very low due to the financial situation back home

[StevieH]

they won't be taking part in the protest and will im imagine have pretty much no idea what the hel_l is going on. i will though warn them not to wear red or yellow just to be on the safe side. i suppose what i meant to ask was, 'will they be able to get a tuktuk up chang klan road and into chiang mai city centre safely?'.

[Maejo Man]

It's a sad day when you have to warn unsuspecting tourists not to wear red, yellow or blue shirts Sort of puts a dent in the wardrobe.

It can be however, a very real problem in Chiangmai if you are wearing a red shirt in the wrong place this weekend.

[StevieH]

in fairness they're from london so their wardrobes are generally made up of black and grey and a few shades in between.

incidentally why is a blue shirt an issue? new one on me that.

[Jingthing]

in fairness they're from london so their wardrobes are generally made up of black and grey and a few shades in between.

incidentally why is a blue shirt an issue? new one on me that.

Google

pattaya asean blue shirt

[webfact]

Government reviewing necessity of Security Act in Chiang Mai: Deputy PM

BANGKOK, Nov 26 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday said he would evaluate the situation again on Friday whether the government should apply the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the northern city of Chiang Mai or not.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will himself decide whether or not to visit the city on Sunday as planned or not.

Mr Abhisit is due to participate in a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and the organisers want the prime minister to join, so that Chiang Mai regains its image as a peaceful province.

They cannot convince every group not to create disturbances, particularly the local anti-government 'Red Shirt' movement, Love Chiang Mai 51 group, the deputy prime minister said, adding that the government will wait to see what takes place and perhaps he will go to Chiang Mai and will assess the situation again on Friday.

"The violence by the Red Shirt demonstrators in the past damaged businesses and tarnished the tourist city image of Chiang Mai," Mr Suthep stated.

Referring to the ISA security enforcement in the capital, the deputy prime minister said it will be maintained even though the Red Shirt group cancelled its mass rally, earlier planned to begin Saturday.

He said the group is changeable. However, police officers will neither be deployed at Government House nor along the capital's roads to tarnish the image of Bangkok, but will remain on duty at their bases and ready to respond.

The Cabinet on December 1 will again assess whether to extend the ISA through December 14 or lift it before the scheduled date, said Mr Suthep. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/26

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[LawnGnome]

anyone think this is genuinely likely to be troublesome? got some friends arriving saturday night who are staying on chang klan.

yES IF THEY PARTAKE IN THE PROTEST AND WEAR RED SHIRTS AND ACT LIKE SOME CRAZY FARANG THAT WE SAW AT THE ASEAN SUMMIT LOL

This kind of anarchy and lawlessness show the true face of Thailand and also the lack of police discipline to enforce the law. It shows the people join the police for their own benefit and not the public

I don't think this time make a lot of differences since the number os American tourist is very low due to the financial situation back home

Not the true face of Thailand - the true face of Thaksin. There is a sizable difference.

[webfact]

Alleged red-shirt guard arrested with 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs, 8 guns

Chiang Mai - An alleged red-shirt guard was arrested Thursday morning when police searched his house and found 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs and eight guns.

Pol Col Songkrit Ontrakrai, caretaker investigative inspector of the Chiang Mai Police head office, led a team of policemen to search the house of Narong Boonjongcharoen, 45, in Chong Thong district at 8:30 am and found the weapons.

Police found four .38 revolvers, 2 automatic pistols and two .22-calibre rifles.

Narong was arrested on charges of having illegal firearms in possession without license.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

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[LawnGnome]

Alleged red-shirt guard arrested with 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs, 8 guns

Chiang Mai - An alleged red-shirt guard was arrested Thursday morning when police searched his house and found 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs and eight guns.

Pol Col Songkrit Ontrakrai, caretaker investigative inspector of the Chiang Mai Police head office, led a team of policemen to search the house of Narong Boonjongcharoen, 45, in Chong Thong district at 8:30 am and found the weapons.

Police found four .38 revolvers, 2 automatic pistols and two .22-calibre rifles.

Narong was arrested on charges of having illegal firearms in possession without license.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

alleged, of course, but not surprising

[Loaded]

Many of the schools in the centre of the city have been told to close Friday because of the red-shirt rally. According to the report above (post 9) the rally isn't until Saturday.

[Meridian007]

What happened to the spirit of cooperating to help increase tourist confidence in Chiang Mai that we saw in the news a couple of months ago (red and yellow leaders shaking hands, etc.)? I guess that didn't last long...

[webfact]

UPDATE

US Consulate in Chiang Mai alert Americans over PM's visit

US Consulate in Chiang Mai has alerted its citizens travelling or residing in Chiang Mai about possible demonstration against PM Abhisit Vejjajiva who is expected to visit the province on December 29.

The consulate said in a statement that the protest by red shirts or supporters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship could turn violent.

Security authorities are taking steps to deal with the situation, which may include the precautionary deployment of troops and/or extra police.

"We wish to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations," read the statement.

U.S. citizens should monitor local media to keep updated with the latest information of any demonstrations and areas to avoid.

The statement was issued on November 24, a day before the red shirts indefinitely decided to postpone their protest in Bangkok.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.

Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Northern Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Consulate Chiang Mai. The Consulate is located at 387 Wichayanond Road in Chiang Mai. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Consulate Chiang Mai can be reached by calling +66-(53)-10-7777 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The afterhours emergency telephone number is +66-(81)-881-1878.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

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[Asa]

Alleged red-shirt guard arrested with 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs, 8 guns

Chiang Mai - An alleged red-shirt guard was arrested Thursday morning when police searched his house and found 6,000 homemade 'ping pong' bombs and eight guns.

Pol Col Songkrit Ontrakrai, caretaker investigative inspector of the Chiang Mai Police head office, led a team of policemen to search the house of Narong Boonjongcharoen, 45, in Chong Thong district at 8:30 am and found the weapons.

Police found four .38 revolvers, 2 automatic pistols and two .22-calibre rifles.

Narong was arrested on charges of having illegal firearms in possession without license.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

alleged, of course, but not surprising

Headline says 6,000 pingpong bombs. Police, as reported did not metion the 6,000 PB. Now the patrolmen show they are not just join the force adn get a ride. They really can work, evne though many of them are just caretakers nowaday.

The six handguns and two rifles, I don't know. Is he a national sportman, a pawn shop owner, or shark loaner?

[caf]

anyone think this is genuinely likely to be troublesome? got some friends arriving saturday night who are staying on chang klan.

yES IF THEY PARTAKE IN THE PROTEST AND WEAR RED SHIRTS AND ACT LIKE SOME CRAZY FARANG THAT WE SAW AT THE ASEAN SUMMIT LOL

This kind of anarchy and lawlessness show the true face of Thailand and also the lack of police discipline to enforce the law. It shows the people join the police for their own benefit and not the public

I don't think this time make a lot of differences since the number os American tourist is very low due to the financial situation back home

Not the true face of Thailand - the true face of Thaksin. There is a sizable difference.

The quote you have highlighted is about anarchy, lawlessness and the police force. And that is down to Taksin ??

[webfact]

PM to decide tonight whether to visit Chiang Mai

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will decide Thursday night as to whether he will travel to Chiang Mai to chair the Chamber of Commerce meeting, Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan Wattanayakorn said.

He said the prime minister was awaiting the latest assessment from security agencies after police seized some 6,000 homemade Ping Pong Bombs from a red-shirt guard in Chiang Mai.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

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[WinnieTheKhwai]

Why disrupt the peace... Stay home Mr. Abhisit! Please.

[Jingthing]

Why disrupt the peace... Stay home Mr. Abhisit! Please.

Why? Because Chiang Mai is a major city in Thailand and he is PM of Thailand. If he can never go there, this country will have surrendered to terrorists. It is outrageous to blame Abhisit for the actions of these wannabe murderers. What is the PM of this country supposed to do? Hide in a bunker? BTW, disrupt what peace exactly? Do other people agree with me that the people caught with these bombs are terrorists? If not, what are they? If the worst case happens and an organized civil war develops here, with formal armies on both sides, where soldiers are fighting soldiers, that is civil war. These bombers are not soldiers in an army on a side in a war, they are something different.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Jingthing

[jackspratt]

Why disrupt the peace... Stay home Mr. Abhisit! Please.

What.....until he gets permission from UDD and Rak Chiang Mai 51?

[Artisi]

Why disrupt the peace... Stay home Mr. Abhisit! Please.

And toady to the criminal element of CM. No way, he should go mob-handed and crack any heads that cause trouble. As the leader of Thailand he should be free to travel where ever in safety and not be threatened with violent acts by anyone whatever their political views.

Edited November 26, 2009 by Artisi

[kenallday]

I am glad to be Scottish as it seems they only want to target Americans - I will wear my Kilt to scare them off.

[LawnGnome]

Why disrupt the peace... Stay home Mr. Abhisit! Please.

khwai indeed. mak ti sook

[bkkjames]

in fairness they're from london so their wardrobes are generally made up of black and grey and a few shades in between.

incidentally why is a blue shirt an issue? new one on me that.

Stevie, I thought you hated people from London?

[webfact]

Police nabbed Narong Bunjongjaroen and confiscated 6,000 home-made bombs and six pistols from his house in Chiang Mai's Chomthong district. He was red shirt supporter and the raid was ahead of PM's planned visit to there on Nov 29.

-- The Nation 2009/11/26

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[webfact]

6,000 'Ping Pong' bombs found at home of Chiang Mai Red Shirt guard

CHIANG MAI, Nov 26 (TNA) - Police found nine guns and 6,000 homemade 'Ping Pong' bombs at the home of an anti-government Red Shirt guard in the northern province of Chiang Mai as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is set to visit the province this Sunday.

Pol. Col Weerawut Niumnoi, deputy chief of Chiang Mai provincial police, said that his team had court-approved search warrants inspected the house of Narong Boonchongcharoen, 45, in Chom Thong district early Thursday seizing the guns and the so-called ping pong bombs.

Mr Narong, however, denied the contraband was being prepared to cause violence during the protest of the United Front for Democracy Agaisnt Dictatroship (UDD) against the premier's visit to the province.

He argued that he bought the bombs for selling during the Loy Krathong festival in early November, but the bombs police confiscated remained unsold.

Prime Minister Abhisit is scheduled to attend the annual conference of the Thai Chamber of Commerce at a Chiang Mai hotel on November 29, and the organisers want the premier to join, so that Chiang Mai can regain its image as a peaceful tourist destination.

Mr Abhisit was advised by some Cabinet members to avoid going there due to reports over a plot to harm him.

Until now, the premier's plan to Chiang Mai remain unchanged, while Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he would evaluate the situation again on Friday whether the government should apply the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the northern city of Chiang Mai or not (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/26

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[sharecropper]

"Not the true face of Thailand - the true face of Thaksin. There is a sizable difference."

The looming insurrection in Thailand is far greater and more significant than whether Thaksin comes back or not.

It is a long-suppressed social and political revolution. When it kicks off here it is not going to be pretty whoever you think is right. We saw it in Bangkok and Pattaya with the out of control Red Shirts and the Yellows.

These acts are off the scale of normal civil protests and indicate a breakdown in the rule of law, the old social consensus and Thai society.

Anyone who still just bleats about Thaksin is naive. This is much much bigger than him.

I just hope it is over fast and the country can then put what is likely to happen here behind it quickly and move on in some degree of harmony.

Edited November 26, 2009 by sharecropper

[baht&sold]

Another paper noted the reds closed off Chiang Mai Provincial Police Station this afternoon.

They're reportedly demanding that police explain why they're seeking an arrest warrant for pro-Thaksin Rak Chiang Mai 51 leader Petchawat (the lovely chap who allegedly fanned death threats against the PM on community radio)

The protesters were led by Mr Petchawat himself...

The 'love Chiang Mai' reds also reportedly demanded the top two senior CM police officers be transferred out within seven days.

They further vowed to continue to lay siege to the station until they received a 'good explanation' from the police...

[bangkok blue]

Hope it doesn't get like it did in Pattaya.... Chiangmai doesn't want or need this. Let's hope it all passes peacefully.