Job Discussion Forums

[mimi81]

I'm a little bit concerned - okay, I'm really concerned. There has been recent demonstrations in Bangkok over the legitimacy of the PM's rule/reign... I've been told that Thais are relatively peaceful people and I know that it is mostly students participating in the demonstration, but I'm still wondering - is Bangkok/Thailand going through a peaceful revolution or does anyobody believe it's going to turn violent? I'm moving to Chiang Mai in mid April (if all goes well), and I know it's fairly far away from Bangkok, but I'm still doubtful.
mimi

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

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[Matt_22]

I realize this is an incredibly broad question, but what are the people's main qualms with Mr. Taksin and the current administration? If a power change were to occur, what do you think might change?

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

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[Welshguy]

Mmmm, mostly students who were gunned down by the army where the Democracy monument now stands as far as I read it.

Thaksin and family have been acting like the proverbial kids in a sweetshop for a long while now and though these things have a slow turning circle in Thailand it looks a little like it might be starting to happen.

The bloke and his business dealings are stuff of legend and the latest one takes the buscuit, all the money made from the sale (and a chunk of it came from the public purse in the first place) is tax free to the family which appears to have flipped a few switches, as it should.

An interesting time ahead in the land of smiles, but what is behind the smile?

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

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[mimi81]

Thank you for being so helpful, and giving me the real picture. My worries have been calmed! I'm heading to Chiang Mai on April 16th, so I'm definetly happy that I asked! Thanks for the links too!
mimi

[Welshguy]

Really,

Well my mate who was actually standing there at the time seems to think not!!!!!!!!!

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

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[Welshguy]

Thats the one,

BTW Australian Al says 'jeez mate I know I look rough as a dingo's butt and the memory aint what it used to be but 1932!'

By and large they are but I wonder about this one myself as MR T is babbling on about a state of emergency and I reckon all if takes is a squad of agent provs to kick things off thus giving him the excuse to declare martial law and we might have a situation there, having said that
if you have just trousered a 1.1 billion dollar tax free stash together with similar sums looted from the Thai people over the past few years why bother, why not just go and get a job as an English teacher instead!

[Miyazaki]

I hear the Thaksin family earned $1.9 Billion for their sale of shares in that company recently sold to the Singapore firm.

Man. that family is loaded!

So, the demonstrations have been peacful - any firsthand accounts of what happened?

[tirelesstravelerasia]

I lived in Thailand for about 3 years when I was a total newbie to the ESL business -- it's a fantastic place to get started, lots of training available, pretty easy to land a job without experience, lots of better jobs available once you learn what you're doing.

And the people are indeed peaceful and fun-loving - they make Thailand the wonderful place it is.

But a standard piece of advice for any traveler / expat is to stay away from public demonstrations. European faces stick out like sore thumbs in Asia, and police can be quick to either blame the visitor for 'rabble rousing' or round them up to keep them from seeing what might be perceived as an embarassing incident.

And - demonstrators were indeed shot and killed in May 1992 by the army / police --- just a dozen years ago, not decades ago.

In short -- I strongly feel it's a safe place to go and teach, but it does have its hot spots, including the Muslim south and the Burmese border areas.