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State of emergency?
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nvandermost



Joined: 09 Jan 2014
Posts: 5

PostPosted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:46 pm    Post subject: State of emergency? Reply with quote

I am deciding on whether to travel to Thailand and pursue a teaching job in late February to early March. I have been monitoring the political unrest closely. How bad is it in Bangkok? Should I look at other countries? Any feedback is appreciated. Cheers!
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steki47



Joined: 20 Apr 2008
Posts: 1029
Location: BFE Inaka

PostPosted: Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The latest news:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10585392/Bangkok-state-of-emergency-a-consideration-as-protests-continue.html

Quote:
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has said the situation in the city has “become unstable” after recent violent incidents. “Although no tourists were hurt by any of the incidents, tourists are still advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches,” advice on its website stated.

{snip}

TAT said all major tourist attractions in Bangkok are open as normal but that some shopping malls were closing early.


The airport is still running, you should be good.
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EFL Educator



Joined: 17 Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Location: Cape Town

PostPosted: Wed Jan 22, 2014 4:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello there,

Everything is okay here (just stay away from the protests)....the airport is open and business is as usual. Have a nice trip! Smile
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sigmoid



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276

PostPosted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think it would be very foolish to go to Thailand with the intention to settle down there now, especially in Bangkok.

Advance voting for the election scheduled for 02 Feb is going very badly now as anti-govt groups attempt to block it. The situation is likely to deteriorate further in the coming days/weeks due to several other factors, primarily problems with the rice-pledging scheme.

I'd wait and see and start looking at other countries.

If you do decide to go, you need to have a very solid Plan B.

It would also be wise to read this:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-01-19/thai-default-risk-soars-as-funds-pull-4-billion-southeast-asia
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Yasuke



Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178

PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

With the opposition leader killed today, what are things like on the ground now? It seems that the situation is becoming more chaotic. Is there anyone there, who could give us some better information, or analysis of the situation, than CNN ?
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EFL Educator



Joined: 17 Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Location: Cape Town

PostPosted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello there,

Things have pretty much calmed down here in Bangkok.....but business proceeds as normal. The protests have inconvenienced a lot workers but as an English teacher you'll be okay. Good luck!
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yasuke wrote:
With the opposition leader killed today


Given the weird nature of the opposition and their weird stance I don't really like them. But once again things are going a little to far with the killings. Surprised
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Yasuke



Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Posts: 178

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So PlumpyNut, what is the situation there today?
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry I'm enslaved in Saudi Arabia at the moment. I won't be in Thailand for another couple of months.
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sigmoid



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276

PostPosted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 6:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The situation is exactly as it was before: a political deadlock centered around a massive power struggle between two sides that are fairly equal in strength. You shouldn't think a few days, weeks or even months will make much of a difference. This is something that has been going on for more than a decade.

Also, it wasn't the opposition leader that was killed. The victim was Suthin Taratin, an anti-government protest leader, the leader of one of a number of groups protesting against the gov't.

As I stated above:


Quote:
The situation is likely to deteriorate further in the coming days/weeks due to several other factors, primarily problems with the rice-pledging scheme.


As you can see from the shooting and grenade-throwing, a sort of low-level civil is already smouldering. Do you think that's going to go away this Sunday when the election is scheduled (02 Feb)?

The news is full of information about this ongoing situation, for example the one posted above:

Thai Default Risk Soars as Funds Pull $4 Billion: Southeast Asia
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-01-19/thai-default-risk-soars-as-funds-pull-4-billion-southeast-asia

Here are more:

Thailand's government pushes ahead with election despite warnings that 'chaos will ensue'

http://www.smh.com.au/world/thailands-government-pushes-ahead-with-election-despite-warnings-that-chaos-will-ensue-20140129-hva9j.html

Thai Protesters to Disrupt Polls as Yingluck Rejects Delay
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-28/thai-protesters-to-disrupt-feb-2-poll-as-yingluck-rejects-delay.html

"Thai anti-government protesters said they plan to disrupt elections this weekend as part of a three-month campaign to unseat Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and dismantle her brother’s political network."

Thailand's red shirts ponder next move
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/thailand-s-red-shirts/956596.html

"Thailand's red shirts have steered clear of the recent round of anti-government protests, but are watching carefully and say they'll move in if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is removed or the military stages a coup d'etat."

Govt to seek bank loans to pay out rice farmers
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Govt-to-seek-bank-loans-to-pay-out-rice-farmers-30225461.html

"About Bt130 billion [approx. $US4 billion] is allegedly required but no figure was given for the total amount that will be sought today."

We want our rice back, plus compensation, angry farmers say
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/We-want-our-rice-back-plus-compensation-angry-farm-30225365.html

"'We will rise against the government,' he warned, adding that if his group managed to get money for a trip to Bangkok, they might join the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in its efforts to overthrow the
current administration."

Farmers driven to despair
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Farmers-driven-to-despair-30225459.html
"Instead of benefiting farmers, the government's rice-pledging scheme has ironically driven some into hopelessness. At least one committed suicide on Sunday apparently because the scheme has repeatedly postponed payments for his pledged rice in recent months, leaving him without money to support himself."

Graft Probe Linked to Rice Subsidies Targets Thai Premier
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304149404579324452939021052

"Thailand's anti-corruption panel said it would investigate Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's role in the government's controversial rice subsidy program, putting more pressure on the embattled leader amid a campaign to force her out of office."

So, in short, the situation is SNAFU and I'm not sure why anyone would want to be in Thailand now or in the near future.
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deadzenpoet



Joined: 06 Aug 2010
Posts: 71

PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm moving to Bangkok next week and I get my information from dozens of people who actually live there who say it is OK to go.

Always get your information from those who have first hand experience. There are several sources on the internet including FB group pages that can confirm it is completely fine to move to Bangkok/Thailand and look for teaching jobs!


Last edited by deadzenpoet on Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:00 pm; edited 1 time in total
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EFL Educator



Joined: 17 Jul 2013
Posts: 988
Location: Cape Town

PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello there

Yes I agree the only thing you have to do is stay clear of the opposing political forces and you'll be just fine. Most EFL Educators I know just come here to teach English....! Good luck.
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Prof.Gringo



Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: Dang Cong San Viet Nam Quang Vinh Muon Nam!

PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's powerful army declared martial law Tuesday and deployed troops into the heart of Bangkok in a dramatic move it said was aimed at stabilizing the Southeast Asian country after six months of turbulent political unrest. The military insisted a coup d'etat was not underway.

The surprise, pre-dawn operation, which places the army in charge of public security nationwide, came amid deepening uncertainty over the nation's fate and one day after the caretaker prime minister refused to step down in the face of long-running anti-government protests.

http://news.yahoo.com/thailands-army-declares-martial-law-denies-coup-020426136.html
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suphanburi



Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Tue May 20, 2014 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yup... Nothing to see here. Thai politics as usual.

Reds win election.
Yellows get angry and stage protests to oust government.
Army steps in.
Elections held - democracy restored.
Reds win election.
Yellows get angry and stage protests to oust government.
Army steps in.

Rinse and repeat.

Oh, and there really is nothing much to see once you move away from the protest sites. It is business as usual for most of the country.

Kids go to school. Moms go shopping. Dads go to work. Chickens crow. McD's still sells burgers. 7-11 is still 24/7. The BTS is running. The girls are still working at Nana Entertainment and Soi Cowboy. Thais are still smiling. Airports are open and the internet still works.

Yup... Nothing to see here. Thai politics as usual.

.
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plumpy nut



Joined: 12 Mar 2011
Posts: 1652

PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2014 2:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Even the news media sources are reporting the military as a minor presence.
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