Thailand Imposes Curfew For Three More Nights

[webfact]

Thailand imposes curfew for three more nights

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai authorities on Thursday imposed a curfew for three more nights in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to quell conflict in the aftermath of an army offensive against anti-government protesters.

A meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva "agreed to impose the curfew to better secure the area and curtail their activities", said Dithaporn Sasasmit, spokesman for the army-run Internal Security Operation Command.

A curfew was ordered in Bangkok and 23 provinces Wednesday night between 8pm and 6am to control looting and arson that broke out after the deadly campaign to close down the "Red Shirts" six-week occupation of central Bangkok.

However, the new curfew would be shortened to between 9pm and 5am, Dithaporn said, "to lessen the effect on the public".

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

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[webfact]

Provinces under State Of Emergency (SOE) and Curfew:

Chonburi, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lampang and Nakhon Sawan, Bangkok and Nonthaburi and parts of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ubon Ratchahani, Maha Sarakam, Roi-et, Nongbua Lumpoo, and Sakhon Nakorn, Kalasin and Ayutthaya

[george]

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[webfact]

Curfew changed to 9pm-5am, extended to Saturday

It has been confirmed that a curfew will be extended to Saturday, but shortened to 9pm-5am, effective in all Emergency Decree declared areas throughout Thailand.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-20

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[hungryINbangkok]

9pm???? news is still saying 8pm......can anyone confirm the time?

[SomTumTiger]

Nation says 9pm. Good news to try to contain and quell the remaining terrorists. Bring back Bangkok to some semblance of normalcy quickly.

[alant]

a few quite nights in then

[animatic]

The just did above.

[Fishman1967]

I have to go to Lom Sak in Petchabun province tonight. Does the curfew affect travelling out of province?

[MastaMak]

I planned to visit a friend in Lat Phrao (ลาดพร้าว) this weekend, thing is my plane lands at 9pm in Bangkok. Anyone knows if there will be taxis?

Is the curfew strictly applied in Bangkok? Here in Chiang Mai I went out yesterday like any other night, they just stopped serving drinks after 9pm, but we could stay in the bar until 10.30

Edited May 20, 2010 by MastaMak

[kissrev1]

Completely absurd! I am an adult with little to fear from the Red Shirts, or anyone else in Bangkok. Once again, the Thai government chooses to treat its citizenry and the others living here as if we are all 12 years old. Why is it that every "solution" from these guys tends towards the lose- lose category? Incidentally, I walked around last night at 10PM. It was quiet, but there were still normal people out and about. One taxi even tried to pick me up for a fare.

[HardenedSoul]

1 night of curfew is bad enough but another three ?!! That means Sir Norman Jay's visit to Bed Supperclub on Friday will be cancelled and that is seriously bad news.

[NALAK]

Great news for Pattaya already on its knees, now this, way over the top

[balhamred]

not happy about this curfew going on for 3 more nights. that leaves the weekend in ruins. anyone know if its still possible to go out for a few drinks in bangkok anywhere at all?

[anon467367354]

i have no problem with that. make it a week, make it secure, make it like it used to be.

definitely relieving to know something is being done about it. Reading Taksin's tweet messages, he's not the most liked person out there, don't let a few fool you, or them really.

[BKKBrit]

I planned to visit a friend in Lat Phrao (ลาดพร้าว) this weekend, thing is my plane lands at 9pm in Bangkok. Anyone knows if there will be taxis?

Is the curfew strictly applied in Bangkok? Here in Chiang Mai I went out yesterday like any other night, they just stopped serving drinks after 9pm, but we could stay in the bar until 10.30

From what I understand you can travel if you have a permit issued by 'the authorities'. But travellers to and from the airport must have a passport and airticket to be shown on demand. Failing which, stay the night at the airport hotel and head into the city in the morning.

Last night I saw cars on the expressway to / from airport - many of which had their lights off. Quite what that achieved, I have no idea.

[NaiGreg]

I think a careful reading indicates two additional nights. Not three.

Says curfew imposed until Saturday (morning?) so that means Thur night and Fri night.

Can we confirm?

[BKKBrit]

I have to go to Lom Sak in Petchabun province tonight. Does the curfew affect travelling out of province?

A curfew is a curfew. You have to be indoors in the prescribed times.

[BKKBrit]

Great news for Pattaya already on its knees, now this, way over the top

I hate to break this news to you, but the entire country is on its knees. I am taking it that being 'way over the top' that you're upset you will be able to perch your bottom on a bar stool only until 9pm?

There is a country to fix in case you hadn't noticed.

[MisterBeetle]

Looks like the curfew has upset a few farangs.

I think their is a serious reason though why the curfew has been extended for another 3 nights.

All is not well in LOS.

To be out and about during a curfew, you are putting small value on your life.

If you so wish to risk your life in pursuit of pleasure, then so be it.

[mkdnnlly5632]

3 nights of being stuck in your apartment sucks but if they can use this time to clean up the city and make sure they have all the red shirt protesters off the streets then it is a good thing. The Prime Minister has done a pretty good job during this whole crisis considering what he had to work with. He is a very educated man and no matter how he handled this crisis he would have been condemned.

[hardy1943]

9pm???? news is still saying 8pm......can anyone confirm the time?

That is like banning firearms. The law abiding citizen will , but the criminal do not, but it sounds good.

I live in Chiang Rai they roll up the side walk every night at 7 pm anyway.

[BKKBrit]

I think a careful reading indicates two additional nights. Not three.

Says curfew imposed until Saturday (morning?) so that means Thur night and Fri night.

Can we confirm?

Thai web sites also stating 3 'more' nights. So it's today, Friday and Saturday.

[ungcas]

i have no problem with that. make it a week, make it secure, make it like it used to be.

definitely relieving to know something is being done about it. Reading Taksin's tweet messages, he's not the most liked person out there, don't let a few fool you, or them really.

I agree. Just like when you are sick and the doctor tells you to take the medicine for 5 days. You feel better after a couple of days and stop taking it but then a few days later you feel sick again.

Better to see it through fix the problem properly.

[tlongdon]

this might be a little evil of me, but am I alone in wishing Thaksin would make a triumphal return really really quickly, like tomorrow?

...just to see how long he would last.

[mausplan]

Of course it is up to the posters to comply with the curfew or not. The curfew rules stated the Army and Police can shoot to kill on sight during the curfew so you guys work it out if a beer is worth the risk.

The arson and looting was almost certainly not random, speakers on the Red stage yesterday referred to it several time including waiting for "instructions" .

The incident at Wat Pratunam last night should highlight that a nice fat farang could make a tempting target for the bad guys at least in Bangkok.

This Government is trying to do its best. I guess very few people apart from the Red planners knew what would happen yesterday and last night. The point is they are reacting and adapting to the changing circumstances.

[elcent]

Looks like the curfew has upset a few farangs.

I think their is a serious reason though why the curfew has been extended for another 3 nights.

All is not well in LOS.

To be out and about during a curfew, you are putting small value on your life.

If you so wish to risk your life in pursuit of pleasure, then so be it.

Many Farangs are like Abhisit, they underestimate the seriousnes and situation.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Who will be the first savvy bar owner offering to lock people in for an all-nighter??

That's what happened during previous curfews, for those who still wanted to party..!

[balhamred]

Looks like the curfew has upset a few farangs.

I think their is a serious reason though why the curfew has been extended for another 3 nights.

All is not well in LOS.

To be out and about during a curfew, you are putting small value on your life.

If you so wish to risk your life in pursuit of pleasure, then so be it.

Many Farangs are like Abhisit, they underestimate the seriousnes and situation.

indeed, but ive had to work all week - so it is slightly annoying to say its safe enough to work but not have a social life in the evening at the weekend.

[Harpov]

I have to go to Lom Sak in Petchabun province tonight. Does the curfew affect travelling out of province?

Petchabun was not mentioned in the list for state of emergency and curfew. Nor were the neighbouring provinces of Loei, Phichit, Phitsanuloke etc