Job Discussion Forums

[laconic]

Another source for news updates:

http://www.thailand-today.com/

[MaiPenRai]

THings have really heated up here in the past 2-3 days.

Latest reports say that 35 dead and about 300 injured from 2-3 days of fighting.

After 2 months reports show that 50+ dead and over 1000 injured.

IN a nutshell, the gov offered house dissolution in Sept and an election on nov 14 of this year. Next scheduled election would have been in 2012, so a decent deal. THe moderate red leaders wanted to accept, but the hard liners did not. More demands were made (P.M to step down immediately) and the offer was taken off the table.

On Friday, the army surrounded the main protest area and tried to lay seige on the rally. NO food or water or electricity. Roads closed in a 4 km radius. etc.

Although army did not advance, red shirts started setting up burning tyre barricades and mounting hit and run attacks attempting to provoke the army to attack. THey did and here we are.

There are protesters in other provinces burning tyres in major intersections and near government buildings. State of emergency declared for Bangkok and 13 other provinces including Chiang Mai.

Many red shirts reported as trying to get to Bangkok to reinforce the group, but many checkpoints along the way. Also many proetsers were able to get out of the main rally area in Ratchaprasong and set up bases in Klong Toei, Silom and Din Daeng. Fighting has been reported in all of these areas.

Gov, UN and red cross trying to evacuiate women and children and elderly and have offered free buses home. So far about 1000 have moved to "safe zones" set up, but none have accepted trips home. Latest reports show that many protesters refuse to move even after the chaos of the past 2-3 days. About 3-6000 protesters remain in a few areas around Bangkok. Some reports say a few thousand more (red shirt reports) while the gov says its closer to 3000.

MOnday and Tuesday havwe been declared public holidays in Bangkok. Schools are closed this week.

The next couple days will be interesting. Gov set another deadline for 3 pm MOnday afternoon to get all the women and children out of the main rally site. What will happen if they dont leave? Will the army advance anyways? What about the couple thousand red shirts who have gotten out of the main blockade? Will red shirt reinforcments make it to Bangkok? What will happen in Chiang Mai and other provinces atrting to have problems?

Here is a great link with up to the minute twitter feeds, news feeds, videos, etc.

Sunday: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-Shirt-Rally-Live-Sund-t365624.html

Sunday on page 6 at post 150 has a great google map of the affected areas in Bangkok

Monday: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-Shirt-Rally-Live-Mond-t365969.html&st=25

Saturday: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-Shirt-Rally-Live-Satu-t365300.html

MOD EDIT they provide vital info to everyone thinking of going to Thailand or already here.


Stay safe everyone.

[lasingparuparo]

I had bought tickets to fly in from south korea to visit in bangkok in two weeks but it seems like its getting pretty hot and heavy in there. Is staying in thailand and getting the first flight out of bangkok to phuket or koh samui a good idea or is it dangerous out there too? do i need to just bite the bullet and refund the whole trip?

[tttompatz]

[Zanada]

Let's imagine its possible for a moment and here and now on this thread give a moments' silence to those that have fallen in the past Months.
The soldiers who bravely carried out they're commands.
The brave who gave they're life in fighting to defend what they believed in.
The ones caught in middle.

(May 22nd 2010)

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

MOD EDIT - A separate thread has been started on this forum regarding a missing Kiwi English teacher and the OP is now repeated here for information purposes:

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=81295

jimmiethefish

Joined: 12 Jun 2007
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2010 11:52 pm Post subject: Missing Kiwi English Teacher
If anyone has seen Karl or know of his whereabouts, please call the NZ
Embassy's duty officer on 081 837 7240 if he can't do so for himself.

I'm also posting this on arjan but if there are any other relevant places to post it, please let me know or post it on.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10646858

[Pauleddy]

Just back from a one month trip to Europe. The business class section of the plane had nine folks in a 40-seat section, so we had one stewardperson each!

Some people are looking a bit shocked and awed, but the trouble is (more or less) over.

I live out near Sutthisan/Ratchada (a few miles out in the burbs, but not too far). Big C in Saphan Kwai was crowded last evening, and some food lines had run out. Also, it was closing early.

The oddest thing is the curfew, which, I believe, finishes today. Nobody out after 8pm. Strange.

I haven't been into the city centre yet, but there is no fighting now. Only cleaning and rebuilding.

eddy

[Ajarn Miguk]

Curfew now is day to day and the latest apparently for BKK is tonight, Sunday, it will be 11 pm - 5 am:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/178856/curfew-on-a-day-to-day-basis

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

This thread is intended primarily to provide information regarding the status of the situation and embassy advisories to teachers living and working in Thailand or teachers planning on going to Thailand for employment purposes.

If you wish to discuss the politics of the situation or promote a particular point of view regarding the situation, you will have to do it someplace other than here. Such postings will not be permitted.

[eclectic]

Bankok is the greatest danger, no? What about flights to/from? Has the airport ever been in any lockdown/danger/terror alert thing?

In these times Id go for southern points like Phuket rather than the capital. Any suggestions?

[tttompatz]

[eclectic]

thx man. main 2 things to worry about are CASH FLOW (i.e. the beleaguered govt declares a Bank Holiday)(i.e. we dont get paid and/or currency is devalued and/or worthless), and physical danger (i.e. bullets, guns, bombs, etc.)

[tttompatz]