Korean Job Discussion Forums

fortysixyou · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

I've heard mixed things, but am too incompetent to successfully find any information about traveling there now.

Is it dangerous to go? What the crap is going on there?

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

Yes, this is something that I would also like to have more information about. I already booked a ticket to go there in December.

Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about what is going on Thailand. With any luck, things will return to some semblance of normalcy in the very near future.

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

One group, the Bangkokians, believe they can grab the entire country by the reins and force their will on everyone else. A lot of these are the well-to-do folk who, typically, love democracy every day of the year save for election day. But is it any different anywhere else?

The current PM was elected by the people, and a loud minority will have none of it today. This is no surprise, though. Thailand has had like 16 or 17 coups since the current king came to power.

If you go, you may have problems moving about, but your life probably won't be in danger. As long as the king is alive, you'll be fine. Just put on a yellow shirt if things get dicey. However...if the king dies, all bets are off. God knows what would happen if he drops off while a crisis is brewing there, like right now. The US would most likely get involved to control the carnage, as there is a very large US military presence in Thailand.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

A friend of mine just told me that someone from their school went to Bangkok recently and ended up confined to the airport. I don't think it had anything to do with the unrest going on there, though; she said something about the guy running out of money somehow.

visitorq · Joined: 11 Jan 2008

The PAD are the scum of the earth. Utterly worthless and contemptible on every level. They seriously deserve to get shot down in the streets for the sh*t they are pulling. They've already seized/occupied the government building (unbelievable!), attacked the police headquarters, and even shut down a few airports (Phuket). It is absolutely ludicrous.

They are openly trying to shut down democracy (one of the leaders recently claimed that elections were not valid because the peasants are too uneducated to vote!) and replace it with a gov't appointed by unelected officials. Basically it's just the old elite (landed, with connections to the military and the monarchy, this is where the PAD gets its funding and backing) clashing with the nouveau riche (the business elite, incl. Thaksin, the only chance Thailand has of moving forward), the latter of which has the overwhelming support of most of the country.

The PAD are true enemies of the state and deserve to get crushed forcefully and utterly, and their leaders to be arrested and executed. The only problem is that when Samak comes down hard (as he should) the army might be able to use it as an excuse for another coup...

Pretty ugly situation on the whole... in terms of safety though, its fine for the most part. It's mostly isolated to the area around the gov't building. Some pro-Samak people have gathered and there was some fighting today against the PAD (one guy died and others injured), so if full scale street fighting starts breaking out, I will definitely be staying well clear of those parts of town...

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

[quote="visitorq"]......The PAD are the scum of the earth. Utterly worthless and contemptible on every level. [b]They seriously deserve to get shot down in the streets for the sh*t they are pulling.[/b] They've already seized/occupied the government building (unbelievable!), attacked the police headquarters, and even shut down a few airports (Phuket). It is absolutely ludicrous.....
[/quote]

Sounds like 1960s America has broken out in Thailand. From Singapore, I take it? Please don't shoot me over this post.

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

PAD are right, people who sell their vote for a couple of hundred baht should have that right removed from them.

FMPJ · Joined: 03 Jun 2008

I was slated to go tonight for four days (taking a group of high school kids for a Harvard event at the UN building), but the event was canceled due to a strongly worded US travel advisory which included the phrase "coup alert."

R-Seoul · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Location: your place

fortysixyou · Joined: 08 Jun 2006

Well shitballs, I'm going there for 7 weeks come October. Confused

As important as tourism is for them, I can't imagine this thing lasting for too long. I mean, closing down the Phuket airport? Really? Won't their economy collapse if they keep this up?

sojourner1 · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

Looks like Thailand is going to have a coup as the military said it will be on the people's side and will not use force. I'd hate to see what would happen if the king passed away.

Everyone in the tourism industry are very worried right now. I just came back from Thailand last Saturday and I must say it was not a pleasant trip like the previous times I went. People are sad with low morale right now so they aren't smiling much and some won't even give you service in many tourist restaurants, bars, and stores right now. Many service providers are complaining to tourists and others are trying to explain the situation just to ensure you're aware of what's going on. Right now, you won't experience the happy, smiling, and friendly vibe Thailand is famous for. Things very well might change come the high season as everyone says they can't wait until high season when it's time to really work and make lots of money. They just all hope the country system works out for them so they can return to normalcy, work, and keep smiling.

Go in the high season if you're going to Thailand as this is the time with the best weather, best attitudes, most services readily available, and the freshest well prepared food. July and August just plain old suck with very high humidity, rain, fewer services, much fewer backpackers to befriend for fun snapshot friendships, and a much less friendly vibe. The current crisis is destroying what people like about Thailand. To experience a friendly and interesting Asian country and to just relax in a tropical place on a shoestring budget.

Wurmwood · Joined: 13 Aug 2006

I've seen several news reports saying that all the airports are closed. One said that the protesters did so much damage to the airport in Phuket that it's closed indefinitely. I'm suppose to go at the end of the month, but if I don't hear some good news in the next two weeks, I'm canceling my plans. Maybe I'll try again later.

visitorq · Joined: 11 Jan 2008

Tobias · Joined: 02 Jun 2008

So some power-that-is is borrowing an idea from Rupert Murdoch. Pay people to come to a central location, hold placards high in the air, yell a little bit, and maybe throw shit, all while the cameras roll.

Fake crowds work. Fake protests work.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Rumours had it throughout the day that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was granted an audience with His Majesty the King to inform His Majesty of his intention to resign.

The rumours said Samak had booked time slot of Radio Thailand at 7:30 am to announce his resignation. So far he hasn't resigned, but we'll have to see.