State Of Emergency Declared In 15 Thai Provinces

[glegolo]

Does anyone know if Bangkok Post site was shut down? Haven't been able to get the site to load. Was wondering if this was a precursor to anything to happen or happening. Thanks! My wife is there in Bangkok, thats why I have been monitoring it.

No it has not been shutdown. Came into that site right away without any problem just now.

[Changian]

If you are British it may be time to register here, just in case there is a free flight home soon

British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living...ng-safe/Locate/

A free flight home to the UK?

fuc_k, you would have to pay me to go back to that dismal and desperate place. Thailand under an Extreme State of Emergency is far better than the UK under Normal Conditions.

And. Monkfish, if you are an employee of UK HMG, then maybe you can explain why the UK Embassy in Bangkok charges extortionate amounts of cash for an arrogant piss poor service?

Wait until martial law is declared. Curfew & jumpy cops and troops is no fun. Thailand has come a long way in 30 years, it can go back there even faster.

Unfortunately, if there is a real emergency the Embassy is likely to be closed. As it is right now. So I have a feeling that embassy staffers such as Monkfish would be on the first flight out leaving everyone else with a note pinned to the gates asking UK nationals to beg the Canadians or Aussies for help.

[daboyz1]

If you are British it may be time to register here, just in case there is a free flight home soon

British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living...ng-safe/Locate/

A free flight home to the UK?

fuc_k, you would have to pay me to go back to that dismal and desperate place. Thailand under an Extreme State of Emergency is far better than the UK under Normal Conditions.

And. Monkfish, if you are an employee of UK HMG, then maybe you can explain why the UK Embassy in Bangkok charges extortionate amounts of cash for an arrogant piss poor service?

Wait until martial law is declared. Curfew & jumpy cops and troops is no fun. Thailand has come a long way in 30 years, it can go back there even faster.

Unfortunately, if there is a real emergency the Embassy is likely to be closed. As it is right now. So I have a feeling that embassy staffers such as Monkfish would be on the first flight out leaving everyone else with a note pinned to the gates asking UK nationals to beg the Canadians or Aussies for help.

Laugh!

[WhisperingJack]

Meaning what exactly? As per the State of Emergency in those 15 provinces?

Meaning the government is scared sh1tless that Bangkok will burn if all the red shirt supporters ever made it to the capital.

Don't know why they would be. I am in Issan at the moment and I have only seen 1 Red Shirt supporter in 5 days.

My wifes family and other villagers wiped thier hands of Wacky Tacky after the Hun Sen fiasco.

"He no good he China not Thai" was the comment I repeatly heard.

It is amazing that I have not seen a report by any media outlet where they have spoken to any Isaan residents to try and gauge the actual support that the Red Shirt movement has.

All we hear or see is the red shirt leaders spruking about the mass following they have up here.

[brahmburgers]

I tried posting last night, but there must have been 'flood control' online. Was going to mention what I saw in one of the 15 provinces (Chiang Rai). Downtown, there were 2 things of note: 1. Every baby blue taxi was parked (empty) by the Saen Pu Hotel, the Reds' rallying point where very few people conjugate. 2. many cops and cop vehicles at the main police station. When I saw them at 7:30 pm, they were lounging around calmly, eating take-out meals. That's it for Chiang Rai, as far as I could see.

Just had to respond to the following from another thread.....

Funny to hear so many farang here condemn corruption and act so concerned about the poor of Thailand. If it wasn't for the corruption, the poor and the neglected most farang would not be here. They could say goodbye to low prices as well as the abundance of low priced working girls and girlfriends half their age and 1/10th their weight.

So, is someone insinuating I have a girlfriend who weighs 6.5 kilos? Even my teddy bear weighs more than that.

[MikeyIdea]

Is this going to end in a civil war?? Nobody seems to be prepared to compromise,wich is normal in democracy and democracy and more social rights, that is what the Red Shirts are fighting for right?

No, I don't think that it will end in an out-right civil war. It would already have stopped a long time ago had it not been for the very considerable investments done, 1,000 bath to go to Ratchaprasong and protest, 2,500 bath if you bring the motorcycle, not to mention money changing hands higher up - but that information is more difficult fto get evidence of.

Had only westerners known enough to be quiet, then the Thai's would have been able to solve this with less casualties, the slow way. But unfortunately, westerners often think that the only good solution is a quick solution, regardless of the long term consequences of it...

Edited May 14, 2010 by MikeyIdea

[brahmburgers]

Q1. What are the Reds fighting for now?

A. They're like rowdies who are told the bar just closed ('last call'). They're mostly young unemployed (except by T. who pays them to attend the rally), between ages 18 and 38, pumped on MSG, caffeine drinks, alcohol who are itching for a fight - any fight.

They couldn't hold a conversation about democracy or what a fair election is, other than spout a couple one-liners that they've heard shouted from their stage. They're told to say 'Thaksin doesn't matter', but they all know Thaksin is what it's all about, because they truly believe that if/when Thaksin returns to power, they'll all get a lot more money.

Q2. What alternative lifestyles do they have - to prancing around downtown Bangkok, getting adrenaline rush, getting notoriety, and jamming with dozens of other rowdies?

A. Plowing fields. Hanging out unemployed. Looking at rice fields dry up or get flooded, sitting in a mom & pop store all day, hoping someone comes by to buy a soda.

[daboyz1]

Q1. What are the Reds fighting for now?

A. They're like rowdies who are told the bar just closed ('last call'). They're mostly young unemployed (except by T. who pays them to attend the rally), between ages 18 and 38, pumped on MSG, caffeine drinks, alcohol who are itching for a fight - any fight.

They couldn't hold a conversation about democracy or what a fair election is, other than spout a couple one-liners that they've heard shouted from their stage. They're told to say 'Thaksin doesn't matter', but they all know Thaksin is what it's all about, because they truly believe that if/when Thaksin returns to power, they'll all get a lot more money.

Q2. What alternative lifestyles do they have - to prancing around downtown Bangkok, getting adrenaline rush, getting notoriety, and jamming with dozens of other rowdies?

A. Plowing fields. Hanging out unemployed. Looking at rice fields dry up or get flooded, sitting in a mom & pop store all day, hoping someone comes by to buy a soda.

I'd say that sums it up pretty well actually. Surely there are some that have a clue, but not many.

[12DrinkMore]

Unfortunately, if there is a real emergency the Embassy is likely to be closed. As it is right now. So I have a feeling that embassy staffers such as Monkfish would be on the first flight out leaving everyone else with a note pinned to the gates asking UK nationals to beg the Canadians or Aussies for help.

That would doubtless be a 10 Pound note, as they are now worth less than a sheet of toilet paper. Cameron should take advantage of the system and save money by moving the UK embassy out to Isaan and replacing all the UK staff with an Indian based call centre.

[FlyingLex]

Does anyone know if Bangkok Post site was shut down? Haven't been able to get the site to load. Was wondering if this was a precursor to anything to happen or happening. Thanks! My wife is there in Bangkok, thats why I have been monitoring it.

I,m living in Chiang Mai. Same problems, don,t know why.

[otherstuff1957]

So, are the countryside Reds descending on Bangkok yet? Even if the police/army checkpoints could identify them, I doubt if they would stop them.

[MikeyIdea]

So, are the countryside Reds descending on Bangkok yet? Even if the police/army checkpoints could identify them, I doubt if they would stop them.

There was a considerable number of soldiers guarding the expressway when I went to work at 6AM this morning. Most of them were on the southbound side ready to act against reds coming from the north. Friends at work said that there was the same "downstairs"

Stop or not stop depends totally if they want or not, not on if the can or not

[bkk_mike]

If you are British it may be time to register here, just in case there is a free flight home soon

British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living...ng-safe/Locate/

I think you need to take the Life outside the UK test...

The word "free" (in the meaning of not paying), and "UK embassy" should never be used in the same paragraph.

Examples:

Embassy letter to confirm your address so you can apply for a driving licence costs more than the driving licence.

Recent change to passport applications means that the POSTAGE for applying for a UK passport is less than a pound less than the cost of a Thai passport. (962 baht postage vs 1000 baht for a passport in Thailand.)

And don't get me started on the absurdly high cost of registering a birth

[centrico]

If you are British it may be time to register here, just in case there is a free flight home soon

British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living...ng-safe/Locate/

I would rather stay here than go there.

More violence, rapes, muggings and gun crime than I ever hear of in Thailand and that is just Mosside

Thailand may be in some difficulties but there are still a lot of wonderful people here of all colours and SOE or not, I am staying put

Heard all this anti Uk/Brit stuff many times.where would you go if: You needed 1st class Medical care,ran out of money,got shafted by the GF,needed your national pension paid,visit family and friends?

Theres also a lot of wonderful people there too! and not everywhere is like Mosside.

Maybe you are unaware I am English

[hansnl]

Meaning what exactly? As per the State of Emergency in those 15 provinces?

Don´t know what it means elsewhere, but in Khon Kaen all army personel is now in the barracks, the entrances to the the barracks are very well guarded and obstructed (more or less)

All police personel is on standby, doing guard duty.

Lot of army and police personel doing duty plainclothed

[Milo]

Found this here Thailand Emergency Decree:

"Upon declaring the enforcement of a emergency decree, the prime minister has the power to issue the regulations including:

to prohibit any person from departing from a dwelling place;

to prohibit the assembly or gathering of persons at any place or the commission of any act which may cause unrest;

to prohibit the press release, distribution or dissemination of letters, publications or any means of communication containing texts which may instigate fear amongst the people or is intended to distort information;

to prohibit the use of routes or vehicles or prescribe conditions on the use of routes or vehicle;

to prohibit the use of buildings or enter into or stay in any place;

to evacuate people out of a designated area for the safety of such people or to prohibit any person from entering a designated area."

The missus has just come in with the news that here in Udorn there's a 10pm curfew & any meeting of more than 5 people not allowed

[imaneggspurt]

If you are British it may be time to register here, just in case there is a free flight home soon

British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living...ng-safe/Locate/

I would rather stay here than go there.

More violence, rapes, muggings and gun crime than I ever hear of in Thailand and that is just Mosside

Thailand may be in some difficulties but there are still a lot of wonderful people here of all colours and SOE or not, I am staying put

Heard all this anti Uk/Brit stuff many times.where would you go if: You needed 1st class Medical care,ran out of money,got shafted by the GF,needed your national pension paid,visit family and friends?

Theres also a lot of wonderful people there too! and not everywhere is like Mosside.

I agree, these expats that hate their own country must have had a different life there to me,but if hes from mosside then yes i can sympathise, ! , there is no comparison, so a long time ago i stopped doing it,

[hansnl]

Is this going to end in a civil war?? Nobody seems to be prepared to compromise,wich is normal in democracy and democracy and more social rights, that is what the Red Shirts are fighting for right?

No, I don't think that it will end in an out-right civil war. It would already have stopped a long time ago had it not been for the very considerable investments done, 1,000 bath to go to Ratchaprasong and protest, 2,500 bath if you bring the motorcycle, not to mention money changing hands higher up - but that information is more difficult fto get evidence of.

Had only westerners known enough to be quiet, then the Thai's would have been able to solve this with less casualties, the slow way. But unfortunately, westerners often think that the only good solution is a quick solution, regardless of the long term consequences of it...

Oh yes, of course.

The farang are to blame for this all.

How could I think otherwise?

[pmugghc]

I think there are a number of (ex)military- or police-specialists in this forum, so a question to them: It was reported that the hospital operated on Seh Daeng this morning and removed a bullet. If he was shot by a sniper, assuming from some distance, wouldn't the high-speed bullet have passed through his head and made a sizable exit.wound instead ? Does the fact that he had a bullet in the head imply a shot from a less-powerful weapon, perhaps closer than your typical sniper would use ?

[MikeyIdea]

The missus has just come in with the news that here in Udorn there's a 10pm curfew & any meeting of more than 5 people not allowed

I was in Surat Thani when the same was imposed a couple of years ago. It simply meant that people went out and had their dinners as normal and that they did meet more than 5 people as normal, BUT, not is sensitive places and not discussing politics and not arguing with the police or soldiers if they are told to go home

[brahmburgers]

I think there are a number of (ex)military- or police-specialists in this forum, so a question to them: It was reported that the hospital operated on Seh Daeng this morning and removed a bullet. If he was shot by a sniper, assuming from some distance, wouldn't the high-speed bullet have passed through his head and made a sizable exit.wound instead ? Does the fact that he had a bullet in the head imply a shot from a less-powerful weapon, perhaps closer than your typical sniper would use ?

Initial reports claimed he was dead right away, but all subsequent reports up to this time claim he's hanging on by a thread. Reports mentioned a bullet going in the left side of his temple and coming out the right, thereby it must have blown off his forehead. However, photos appear to indicate his forehead is intact. A female Thai reporter claimed the shot was to the chest, but no one else reports that, so it must have been a mistake or bad translation. It appears, at this time, Seh Daeng's brain is swelling, surgeons have taken one or more bits of bullets out, and he's in a coma and barely alive.

[Longtooth]

I think there are a number of (ex)military- or police-specialists in this forum, so a question to them: It was reported that the hospital operated on Seh Daeng this morning and removed a bullet. If he was shot by a sniper, assuming from some distance, wouldn't the high-speed bullet have passed through his head and made a sizable exit.wound instead ? Does the fact that he had a bullet in the head imply a shot from a less-powerful weapon, perhaps closer than your typical sniper would use ?

I think so. Or, if it was a hollow-point small caliber from long range, the internal damage will be irreparable. (A hollow-point "mushrooms" on impact for greater damage, and could conceivably not exit.) Edited May 14, 2010 by Longtooth

[Milo]

I think there are a number of (ex)military- or police-specialists in this forum, so a question to them: It was reported that the hospital operated on Seh Daeng this morning and removed a bullet. If he was shot by a sniper, assuming from some distance, wouldn't the high-speed bullet have passed through his head and made a sizable exit.wound instead ? Does the fact that he had a bullet in the head imply a shot from a less-powerful weapon, perhaps closer than your typical sniper would use ?

I think so. Or, if it was a hollow-point small caliber from long range, the internal damage will be irreparable.

Isn't that thread available here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Red-Shirts-L...ot-t364824.html ?

[Milo]

The missus has just come in with the news that here in Udorn there's a 10pm curfew & any meeting of more than 5 people not allowed

I was in Surat Thani when the same was imposed a couple of years ago. It simply meant that people went out and had their dinners as normal and that they did meet more than 5 people as normal, BUT, not is sensitive places and not discussing politics and not arguing with the police or soldiers if they are told to go home

I believe the same restrictions were imposed countrywide during marshal law a couple of years ago? Never noticed any change myself...

[Deeral]

Who can enforce such an edict? - in the Redshirt heartland - the police? - I think not.

[daboyz1]

The missus has just come in with the news that here in Udorn there's a 10pm curfew & any meeting of more than 5 people not allowed

I was in Surat Thani when the same was imposed a couple of years ago. It simply meant that people went out and had their dinners as normal and that they did meet more than 5 people as normal, BUT, not is sensitive places and not discussing politics and not arguing with the police or soldiers if they are told to go home

Yeah exactly. They imposed that in BKK for the 2006 coup. Didn't really seem to affect anyone's life on Sukhumvit anyway. If I recall they told everyone to take the day off. No violence at all. If 20 farangs with red signs went marching down Ratcahadamri, it would probably be an issue. Other than that things will probably be the same unless you live in one of the affected areas.

[Milo]

Who can enforce such an edict? - in the Redshirt heartland - the police? - I think not.

Looks to me in this country neither police nor army particularly efficient at enforcing anything.

[MikeyIdea]

The missus has just come in with the news that here in Udorn there's a 10pm curfew & any meeting of more than 5 people not allowed

I was in Surat Thani when the same was imposed a couple of years ago. It simply meant that people went out and had their dinners as normal and that they did meet more than 5 people as normal, BUT, not is sensitive places and not discussing politics and not arguing with the police or soldiers if they are told to go home

Yeah exactly. They imposed that in BKK for the 2006 coup. Didn't really seem to affect anyone's life on Sukhumvit anyway. If I recall they told everyone to take the day off. No violence at all. If 20 farangs with red signs went marching down Ratcahadamri, it would probably be an issue. Other than that things will probably be the same unless you live in one of the affected areas.

Shall we encourage the 20 loudest and most impolite posters on TV to do that? Then they would hopefully be made persona non grata for life

[viking75]

Who can enforce such an edict? - in the Redshirt heartland - the police? - I think not.

Looks to me in this country neither police nor army particularly efficient at enforcing anything.

they might be more efficient protecting a government that was elected free and fair. we can see when dems go.

thinks they should have protected thaksin more and then none of this would happened.

didn't see thaksin gov assasinating PAD leaders did we? more of double standard for PAD lovers.

many in power now going to be afraid of reprisal by silent reds with gun. bad turn of events and army not going to crack down anybody in north so dream on

[eggomaniac]

Does anyone know if Bangkok Post site was shut down? Haven't been able to get the site to load. Was wondering if this was a precursor to anything to happen or happening. Thanks! My wife is there in Bangkok, thats why I have been monitoring it.

No, The Bangkok Post site is not closed, it's just that there is thousand and thousands of people trying to connect to it.

You have to try again and again and you'll finally be able to read it - it was the same for me since the last two hours.

And about your wife: just tell her to stay at home until it's over and, unless she lives at Rachaprasong area, she should be safe, really.

until it's over? could be a very, very long time. killing red and yellow crocodiles just means promotions. Until that swamp is drained don't expect Solutions...

Do people forget a mob of reds in sandals stopped a fully equipped military train, 200 soldiers? Is that who is going to 'maintain order' SHEESH

There is one way and one way ONLY for Thailand to get out of the MESS, The Joseph Solution.

Edited May 14, 2010 by eggomaniac