Information on Protest Sites

[whybother]

A stage is being set up on Asoke between the Sukhumvit intersection and Millennium Hotel. Avoid the area if travelling by car.

Sent from my phone ...

[smoochy]

Any news on Asok today? We heard there would be "a million" people there. Sunday seems an odd day for it but not surprising if it happens.

[taony]

I thought the goal was to cause gridlock? I am watching the protesters come from the west along Sri Ayuthaya Road across the Phayathai intersection. They are being so polite, using only one traffic direction and using the overpass! They aren't blocking anything as traffic is moving in both directions on the other side. They are moving towards Pratunam right now. Its a big glob, they paused for a bit to consolidate the line (making it smaller even, so nice!).

People are gathering in Victory Monument now. The traffic looks a bit gridlocked, but I can't tell exactly what's going on just yet. The stage is just out of my view, I thought there were still two lanes open beside it, but maybe that's changed. Anyway, I think not being in a car around here is the way to go.

edit: so after they passed on Sri Ayuthaya, cars were entering the flyover as usual bc they couldn't see the protesters ahead. There is a little back now, but it won't last.

At VM, the northbound traffic is light and looks ok. Coming southbound, getting towards Din Daeng is very slow. Doesn't really look like cars can pass south, but I am not 100% sure. According to Richard Barrow, there is one lane open. That might be the southbound one. In any case, avoid if you can!

Edited December 22, 2013 by taony

[GrantSmith]

It's not supposed to be kicking until about 1, so expect it's just the warm up

[impulse]

Just took the MRT from Hua Lamphong to Q Sirikit with no problems at 10:45. Saw some protesters milling around Hua Lamphong train station, but they were on their way to somewhere else.

[taony]

Another smaller, but really noisy, group moving north now under the BTS Phayathai station. People coming out and cheering them on, taking photos.

edit: they are still coming, its really stretched out and the traffic is mixing in with them.

Edited December 22, 2013 by taony

[smoochy]

So Asok is quiet for now?

[GrantSmith]

So Asok is quiet for now?

Not really.. Looks to be building up...

https://twitter.com/tulsathit/status/414618178287714304

Edited December 22, 2013 by GrantSmith

[smoochy]

So Asok is quiet for now?

Not really.. Looks to be building up...

https://twitter.com/tulsathit/status/414618178287714304

Thanks for the tweet.

Cheers.

BTW, what is the best twitter feed to keep up with the roving protests?

[GrantSmith]

So Asok is quiet for now?

Not really.. Looks to be building up...

https://twitter.com/tulsathit/status/414618178287714304

Thanks for the tweet.

Cheers.

BTW, what is the best twitter feed to keep up with the roving protests?

All relative really, but Tulsathit generally gives a good account, Richard Barrow also gives a fair amount of info along with various retweets...

[whybother]

So Asok is quiet for now?

Asoke is currently very noisy. There weren't a lot of people when I looked about an hour ago. Sounds to have built up a bit more now. The whole road is closed off, but Sukhumvit traffic looks very light, and there is no traffic coming past Queen Sirikit.

[impulse]

Given the stage set up pretty much blocking the road just north of Asoke junction, it looks like they're in for the long haul. With more groups converging from the north and east on foot.

Music playing and has the feel of a street festival. For now.

Edited December 22, 2013 by impulse

[kish]

does anyone know how things are around rama4 and rama3 this afternoon. i need to go there just after 4pm. heading down rama 4 from prakanong

[smoochy]

Just returned from Asok about half an hour ago. It was a zoo. Shoulder to shoulder on the BTS flyover and people coming from the East with flag waving trucks. Be sure to bring your earplugs if you head that direction. The whistles are extremely loud.

[qadriamir]

Avoid Victory Monument. Protester are all gathered around the area blowing Whistles as loud as they, can, while I type here come another hug barricade on motorcycles to join the protesters.

[taony]

ITs mostly broken up at Victory Monument now. There is still the stage and some people left, but traffic moving again.

[OxfordWill]

How is victory and rama 4 etc now please

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[GrantSmith]

Victory packed to the rafters... Rama IV not as bad as it was before but probably best to avoid if possible...

[taony]

Things are moving now at VM.

[OxfordWill]

Thanks

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[GrantSmith]

Things are moving now at VM.

Hey taony,

Are you physically down that way? I'm just watching the show from Blue Sky and it looks like a right cluster <deleted> down there...

[taony]

It was quiet after 8. The stage was in the southeast corner, maybe they were just showing people at the stage and it looked filled. But i can see it from my window and cars were moving.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[taony]

There is a group crossing phayathai intersection again. This time they are on the street, not the flyover. Going east towards pratunam.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[raro]

Is there anything going on today? Need to go to K village, Soi 26

[GrantSmith]

Think they're mostly at Din Daeng - Thai Japan Stadium and home base... Hopefully not disturbing Sukhumvit, I've got business in Thonglor later today which was postponed from the weekend.

[Scott]

This is being reported in the Live Updates:

The Traffic police has reported that a group of demonstrators are heading out of Ratchadamnoen Avenue towards the DSI on Chaeng Watthana Road.

To avoid traffic obstructions, motorists are advised to stay clear of Yommarat Intersection, Phetchaburi Road, Ratchaprarop Road, Din Deang Road, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and Chaeng Watthana Road.

Traffic remains cordoned off at Nang Lerng intersection, causing heavy traffic for those exiting the tollway from Yommarat exit.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/691212-thailand-live-monday-23-dec-2013/?p=7195529

[MaxLee]

Maybe it is off-topic but the BTS is out of order today

[punnawithi]

BTS not running today? Related to protest?

[MaxLee]

BTS not running today? Related to protest?

Who knows,...

[Scott]

It was reported that the Skytrain service is expected to resume this afternoon. Not sure what time, though.