Military Coup - Chiang Mai

[Choonpon]

Thankyou "marzipan" for your "Feeling" I am here on holidays here with my two young teenage children. I am on the Forum, looking for information based on facts not knee jerk reactions or gut hunches. My children have been freaked by the site of the Army, as you can well imagine, for them, it is not an everyday occurrence. Have been since the weekend trying to encourage them to leave the hotel, so we can have dinner somewhere else, perhaps even try to relax & have some fun before 10pm curfew. So as a concerned mother, I am looking for information, that I can relay back to my children, to reassure them, that the Night Bazaar will be an alright place to go to??? Thanks.

Now is probably the safest period as soldiers are everywhere. Take on a lighter note; the kids don't get to see that often. Maybe the soldiers may even pose a pic with the kids:)

[StevieH]

went home via the old city at 11.30pm and there was no bother at all. think if in chiang mai you avoid chang phuak and tha pae gates you'll be mostly fine. particularly as a foreigner, you're going home, you're of no interest, seems to be ok.

[heybruce]

went home via the old city at 11.30pm and there was no bother at all. think if in chiang mai you avoid chang phuak and tha pae gates you'll be mostly fine. particularly as a foreigner, you're going home, you're of no interest, seems to be ok.

I'm not too worried about going out after curfew, I'm depressed by the fact that there's no reason to, everything is shut down.

I've been facetious about this on occasion, but the curfew is really bad for the economy and the livelihood of many people. This isn't making life difficult just for bargirls and tourists, there are many restaurant/bars that do most of their business between 9 p.m. and midnight. Not just tourist places, late evening is prime time for Thai people. People who work at these places have already seen their hours greatly reduced, if the curfew continues much longer some of these businesses will close and staff will lose their jobs. Combine these unemployed with those who work in tourist businesses, throw in the ripple effect as the jobless stop spending and businesses make less money, resulting in more lay-offs, and the economy can take a serious hit.

Add to this the problem of many unemployed people, mostly young, with no money, no social outlets, and lots of free time. I think the generals better end the curfew soon if they want "peace and order".

[wellred]

went home via the old city at 11.30pm and there was no bother at all. think if in chiang mai you avoid chang phuak and tha pae gates you'll be mostly fine. particularly as a foreigner, you're going home, you're of no interest, seems to be ok.

I'm not too worried about going out after curfew, I'm depressed by the fact that there's no reason to, everything is shut down.

I've been facetious about this on occasion, but the curfew is really bad for the economy and the livelihood of many people. This isn't making life difficult just for bargirls and tourists, there are many restaurant/bars that do most of their business between 9 p.m. and midnight. Not just tourist places, late evening is prime time for Thai people. People who work at these places have already seen their hours greatly reduced, if the curfew continues much longer some of these businesses will close and staff will lose their jobs. Combine these unemployed with those who work in tourist businesses, throw in the ripple effect as the jobless stop spending and businesses make less money, resulting in more lay-offs, and the economy can take a serious hit.

Add to this the problem of many unemployed people, mostly young, with no money, no social outlets, and lots of free time. I think the generals better end the curfew soon if they want "peace and order".

I was debating with a friend how long the curfew may continue for. I think the reasons you spelled out are fairly obvious so I fully expect the army would be aware of this too. I doubt they would want to do anything to escalate the situation so I think it will end soon. Let's hope so anyway.

[debcmai]

Anyone around around dalad ton payom? Reports of a disturbance (explosion).

Seems it was the controlled destruction of a suspicious package, per cm108.com

I heard it from Nong Hor, near the new convention center on the canal road. Said to my wife I thought it sounded more like an explosion than fireworks. Then I thought I was maybe just getting jumpy.

I heard this too....was wondering if folks would be talking about it this morning. So is it confirmed that is what it was? And, yes, I am getting jumpy, too.

[Thailand]

I guess the longer people continue to break the curfew the longer it's likely to continue?

Seem to be plenty on TV who are pleased to brag about it. You think the "powers" are not reading the top expat forum in Thailand?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I guess the longer people continue to break the curfew the longer it's likely to continue?

LOL, no.

Typically it will gradually be relaxed, then cancelled end of the week or so.

The one thing that could extend it is actual disturbances. So as long as you try and behave later at night (relatively speaking) then it'll be just fine.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

went home via the old city at 11.30pm and there was no bother at all. think if in chiang mai you avoid chang phuak and tha pae gates you'll be mostly fine. particularly as a foreigner, you're going home, you're of no interest, seems to be ok.

I'm not too worried about going out after curfew, I'm depressed by the fact that there's no reason to, everything is shut down.

I've been facetious about this on occasion, but the curfew is really bad for the economy and the livelihood of many people. This isn't making life difficult just for bargirls and tourists, there are many restaurant/bars that do most of their business between 9 p.m. and midnight. Not just tourist places, late evening is prime time for Thai people. People who work at these places have already seen their hours greatly reduced, if the curfew continues much longer some of these businesses will close and staff will lose their jobs. Combine these unemployed with those who work in tourist businesses, throw in the ripple effect as the jobless stop spending and businesses make less money, resulting in more lay-offs, and the economy can take a serious hit.

Add to this the problem of many unemployed people, mostly young, with no money, no social outlets, and lots of free time. I think the generals better end the curfew soon if they want "peace and order".

I agree with all of that. People are resourceful though, and if it does continue long (which I don't expect) then you'd get similar things as in 1991: lots of overnight private house parties, and pubs and clubs doing 'lock in' parties that start around 10-11pm and then end at 5am. I would almost look forward to that. Ultimately though, yes it's a major hit on the economy.

[debcmai]

Anyone around around dalad ton payom? Reports of a disturbance (explosion).

Seems it was the controlled destruction of a suspicious package, per cm108.com

I heard it from Nong Hor, near the new convention center on the canal road. Said to my wife I thought it sounded more like an explosion than fireworks. Then I thought I was maybe just getting jumpy.

I heard this too....was wondering if folks would be talking about it this morning. So is it confirmed that is what it was? And, yes, I am getting jumpy, too.

OK I am going to ask about this again. A controlled destruction...with such a loud explosion? Would that not mean it was a bomb? Sorry for being stupid about this, but it woke me up as I was falling asleep it was so loud. Does anyone know more?

[jamhar]

It could have meant it was a suspicious object. And they weren't going to take a chance of inspecting whatever it was.

Dont get jumpy. But stay alert, safe and vigilant. I see something that reminds me of the current martial law twice a day max.

At dinner time i sometimes see a soildier armed and alert. and from my balcony, its pretty quiet after 10PM. Thats the extent of the current martial law that i see.

But it could go south in a hurry.

So live life normally as possible, obey the curfew, be respectful of the soldiers, and stay alert.

just my 2 cents

[Gonzo the Face]

I have a feeling that something big is going to happend tonight.. by the way, thx for the pictures dave2

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Thanks for posting your "feeling"

If enough people retw#t it or share your feelings on farcebook, then maybe something will happen

Whats with you people...... this is a public forum, a forum where posters are able to post THEIR thoughts, opinions, and feelings, It is not a forum where they have to check with YOU to see if something is able to be posted. Now I do agree that hearsay and rumor or feelings should be indicated as such in the post and if so done, whats wrong with that? If the reader cannot comprehend that someone sez " rumor or feeling" that lack or comprehension is not due to the fault of the poster.

I do agree that one should not post these rumors or feelings and indicate that they are facts..... than this is wrong, especially in these times of high tension..... Posters should post what they wish to post within rules, but not indicate that somethings are facts if they are just feelings.

JMHO

[Saan]

"The definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over again and expecting different results"

This quote was posted onto Tapae Gate on a piece of white A4.

Whether referring to Narcotics Anon. or the coup still quite appropriate. (Apparently that quote originates with NA)

Sorry didn't get a pic but was stuck on about waist height opposite DHL.

After the amount of coups in Thailand that is quite an appropriate message.

Actually Albert Einstein beat NA to it. It is his quote.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

[haybilly]

I have a feeling that something big is going to happend tonight.. by the way, thx for the pictures dave2

Sent from my GT-I9082L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks for posting your "feeling"

If enough people retw#t it or share your feelings on farcebook, then maybe something will happen

Whats with you people...... this is a public forum, a forum where posters are able to post THEIR thoughts, opinions, and feelings, It is not a forum where they have to check with YOU to see if something is able to be posted. Now I do agree that hearsay and rumor or feelings should be indicated as such in the post and if so done, whats wrong with that? If the reader cannot comprehend that someone sez " rumor or feeling" that lack or comprehension is not due to the fault of the poster.

I do agree that one should not post these rumors or feelings and indicate that they are facts..... than this is wrong, especially in these times of high tension..... Posters should post what they wish to post within rules, but not indicate that somethings are facts if they are just feelings.

JMHO

Couldn't have put it better, Gonzo.

I wanted to write this--but my brain wasn't working.

[Lancelot]

went home via the old city at 11.30pm and there was no bother at all. think if in chiang mai you avoid chang phuak and tha pae gates you'll be mostly fine. particularly as a foreigner, you're going home, you're of no interest, seems to be ok.

Pretty much my experience as well. The bars were closing up around 10 pm, light traffic, I did see a couple of 7-11s open on my way home around 11:15 pm. The McDonalds near Thapae Gate was open, seemed to have a few customers grabbing a meal on their way home. Before 10 pm the bars were open but really quiet...

[cm das]

OK I am going to ask about this again. A controlled destruction...with such a loud explosion? Would that not mean it was a bomb? Sorry for being stupid about this, but it woke me up as I was falling asleep it was so loud. Does anyone know more?

I only skimmed the cm108.com postings but it looks as though it was a backpack that was "suspiciously" left by the Suthep Road/Canal Road intersection. There was apparently no positive cause to suspect it was a bomb or anything like that but the authorities wanted to play it safe so they blew it up. And maybe having such a big explosion carried the extra bonus of keeping people jumpy and fearful?

[marsipan]

Some bars is still open after 10pm but they close the metal door (forgot what is called) and the army&police dont seem to bother. I played some pool with my friends and walked back home around 12ish.

By the way: Anyone heard of someone getting fined by the army?

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[StevieH]

I guess the longer people continue to break the curfew the longer it's likely to continue?

Seem to be plenty on TV who are pleased to brag about it. You think the "powers" are not reading the top expat forum in Thailand?

nope. not in the bloody slightest.

[debcmai]

OK I am going to ask about this again. A controlled destruction...with such a loud explosion? Would that not mean it was a bomb? Sorry for being stupid about this, but it woke me up as I was falling asleep it was so loud. Does anyone know more?

I only skimmed the cm108.com postings but it looks as though it was a backpack that was "suspiciously" left by the Suthep Road/Canal Road intersection. There was apparently no positive cause to suspect it was a bomb or anything like that but the authorities wanted to play it safe so they blew it up. And maybe having such a big explosion carried the extra bonus of keeping people jumpy and fearful?

Well...if it were NOT an explosive...then they really went out of their way to destroy it with their own explosive...it was a pretty loud boom...woke me right up...felt it through the windows that face the canal road....sheesh....

[debcmai]

OK I am going to ask about this again. A controlled destruction...with such a loud explosion? Would that not mean it was a bomb? Sorry for being stupid about this, but it woke me up as I was falling asleep it was so loud. Does anyone know more?

I only skimmed the cm108.com postings but it looks as though it was a backpack that was "suspiciously" left by the Suthep Road/Canal Road intersection. There was apparently no positive cause to suspect it was a bomb or anything like that but the authorities wanted to play it safe so they blew it up. And maybe having such a big explosion carried the extra bonus of keeping people jumpy and fearful?

Well...if it were NOT an explosive...then they really went out of their way to destroy it with their own explosive...it was a pretty loud boom...woke me right up...felt it through the windows that face the canal road....sheesh....

shame on them scaring a middle ages farangi lady like that....but, honestly...i was much more worried about them...all of them...praying for Chiang Mai...praying for Thailand.

[mccw]

Sky news had a much more balanced report today. Showing the protests in bkk but also showing tourists going about thier business and interviews with a few saying they weren't bothered and still having a good time.

Safe and no reason not to come.

More reporting like this and hopefully the economic impact will not be too bad.

Like in 2010. Western media nature to cry and make a big deal out of everything - then after a few days, and undoubtably lots of complaints from the thousands of ex pats, the editor / boss gets on the phone to local sensationalist journo and tells them to calm down and balance it out a bit more.

Good to see. Finally. Shame they couldn't have reported the whole thing more sensibly.

[StevieH]

Sky news had a much more balanced report today. Showing the protests in bkk but also showing tourists going about thier business and interviews with a few saying they weren't bothered and still having a good time.

Safe and no reason not to come.

More reporting like this and hopefully the economic impact will not be too bad.

Like in 2010. Western media nature to cry and make a big deal out of everything - then after a few days, and undoubtably lots of complaints from the thousands of ex pats, the editor / boss gets on the phone to local sensationalist journo and tells them to calm down and balance it out a bit more.

Good to see. Finally. Shame they couldn't have reported the whole thing more sensibly.

it's a military coup and pretty much every foreign government in the world is telling its citizens not to travel to thailand. think the economic impact and effect on thailand's tourism industry are going to continue for a long, long time yet.

and you really believe sky and the bbc change their editorial stance based on a bunch of phone calls from some weirdo expats?

[mccw]

^ they did in 2010 quite , dramatically (although the Al-Jazera footage of reds shooting guns at the police and military was a major cause too) and commented in some articles at the weight of expat opinions coming from with in Thailand was forcing re-evaluation of their reporting.

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[mccw]

Reds have terrible selective memory; while the newbies and democracy idealists are just plain clueless. Both are irresponsible to be declaring xyz = <deleted> under these circumstance.

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[mccw]

What do you class as a "long long time"? Years? Decades? More like a few months max. By next high season/ November I bet everything's forgotten and record tourist arrivals again.

More of a worry to tourism is the net ecconomic crash the west is lining up for. Next year or so two and the cycle wil take a down turn. But that's another story.

Can't control the world; but we can all control ourselves? And make plans so when rough times come, we are ready for them.

Anyway; coup or unrest impact at every previous occasion has been relatively short lived; so no expectation of much difference this time; unless red terrorists carry out a sustained bombing campaign. Hopefully that won't happen though and military manage to round up all the extremists with out casualties- right? Or maybe some of you guys think you'll be safe from bombs because you sleep with the reds daughters? If you are staggering past tapaer gate or filling your gas tank at the wrong petrol station when a bomb goes off I can tell you for real that the bomb does not give a shit what your political views are.

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[StevieH]

^ they did in 2010 quite , dramatically (although the Al-Jazera footage of reds shooting guns at the police and military was a major cause too) and commented in some articles at the weight of expat opinions coming from with in Thailand was forcing re-evaluation of their reporting.

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source please. that sounds like absolute bobbins. "weight of expat opinions" saying that they were reporting stories wrong caused global news organisations to rethink?

[heybruce]

I have a feeling that something big is going to happend tonight.. by the way, thx for the pictures dave2

Sent from my GT-I9082L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thanks for posting your "feeling"

If enough people retw#t it or share your feelings on farcebook, then maybe something will happen

Whats with you people...... this is a public forum, a forum where posters are able to post THEIR thoughts, opinions, and feelings, It is not a forum where they have to check with YOU to see if something is able to be posted. Now I do agree that hearsay and rumor or feelings should be indicated as such in the post and if so done, whats wrong with that? If the reader cannot comprehend that someone sez " rumor or feeling" that lack or comprehension is not due to the fault of the poster.

I do agree that one should not post these rumors or feelings and indicate that they are facts..... than this is wrong, especially in these times of high tension..... Posters should post what they wish to post within rules, but not indicate that somethings are facts if they are just feelings.

JMHO

I agree, and would add that people should not post their opinions as facts, and not post questionable claims without references.

Unfortunately some people think their opinions are facts, and finding credible references is so tedious, especially when there are no credible references.

[northernjohn]

All I know is the curfew is at 10:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning. got nothing to do with the rest of the day. If you need transportation to the airport after hours the army has said they will take you. I trust that in emergencies the4y will allow you to go to a hospital.

I am not looking for ways to contravene the curfew. I am aware that there are soldiers on the street to further protect me from crazy red shirts carrying bombs. How many they have stopped I do not know. Also I know that because the flow of cash through the corruption system has been cut off their will be protestors. The army will serve to keep them in control in my opinion.

[northernjohn]

^ they did in 2010 quite , dramatically (although the Al-Jazera footage of reds shooting guns at the police and military was a major cause too) and commented in some articles at the weight of expat opinions coming from with in Thailand was forcing re-evaluation of their reporting.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

source please. that sounds like absolute bobbins. "weight of expat opinions" saying that they were reporting stories wrong caused global news organisations to rethink?

In a way I am of your point of view but for a different reason.

I don't think global organizations think they just have a stack of pre written answers for any thing.

They rarely deal with the underlying reasons. Just O this is answer B3m or answer d8 and send that off.

[Puwa]

92.5 FM radio station raided today.

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/army-continues-purging-hardcore-redshirts/

[mccw]

Yes

Bangkok post reporting (Rak CM 52 base and radio station at that redshirt supporting hotel behind the wat ) that it was raided and equipment + bomb making materials seized.

The owner is already in custody in bk having reported to the military as requested.