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egrog1717
Joined: 12 Mar 2008
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 Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: Thailand Really the Place to be? |
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I know a lot of people are talking about skipping out of Korea for Thailand... But is that really the place to be right now?
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/11/2008112411139337286.html
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Thousands of demonstrators have surrounded Thailand's parliament building, vowing a "final battle" to overthrow the government.
But Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister, said he would not step down.
After months of laying siege to the prime minister's Government House office compound, protesters left their camp on Monday to march to the nearby parliament in Bangkok, seeking to prevent MPs from discussing key constitutional amendments.
Government officials have said they plan to go ahead with the parliament session but say amendments to the constitution - which the protesters oppose - are not on the agenda.
'No force'
About 1,150 police stood guard outside the barricaded parliament as the mass of protesters arrived, to try to prevent a repeat of bloody street battles on October 7 that left two protesters dead and nearly 500 people injured.
Colonel Sansern Khaewkamnerd, an army spokesman, said police would be responsible for keeping the situation under control, but that 2,000 soldiers would be on standby in case police asked for help.
Nattawut Saikuar, a government spokesman, vowed on Sunday that the government would not use force.
"Police and soldiers will not be armed with lethal weapons, only shields and batons," he said.
Police put up barricades while schools were ordered closed and zookeepers moved animals to safety as Bangkok braced for the rally.
Sondhi Limthongkul, the leader of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group leading the protests, said late on Sunday that supporters would divide into groups and descend on different locations throughout the capital for a "final battle" against the government.
"It will be our longest day. The leaders have already planned our battle tactics... in this war the protesters will seize our capital back," he said.
Refusing to quit
The PAD is demanding the resignation of Somchai, accusing him of being a proxy for his brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Protesters are demanding Somchai resign as prime minister [AFP]
As the protesters massed outside parliament on Monday, Somchai said from Peru, where he was attending a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, that he did not intend to resign.
"We came in through democratic elections, so I am not thinking of resigning at all," he told the Reuters news agency.
"I will exercise restraint to the utmost. We have to talk and try for reconciliation," said Somchai, who added the Thai military had repeatedly ruled out a coup and that he saw no need to use stronger measures to quell the protests.
The protesters' camp at Government House has been attacked several times in recent weeks by small bombs and grenades, including a blast on Thursday that killed one person and wounded 29.
One of the eight people wounded by a grenade on Saturday died on Sunday.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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Scotticus
Joined: 18 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Scotticus wrote: |
| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
My dad taught in a college down there, it sounded like a lot of fun. |
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wayfarer
Joined: 05 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
| Scotticus wrote: |
| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
My dad taught in a college down there, it sounded like a lot of fun. |
You're one of those people who have difficulty anticipating the ambiguity of their own statements? |
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laconic2
Joined: 23 May 2005
Location: Wonderful World of ESL
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Thailand Really the Place to be? |
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| egrog1717 wrote: |
I know a lot of people are talking about skipping out of Korea for Thailand... But is that really the place to be right now?
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/11/2008112411139337286.html
| Quote: |
Thousands of demonstrators have surrounded Thailand's parliament building, vowing a "final battle" to overthrow the government.
But Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister, said he would not step down.
After months of laying siege to the prime minister's Government House office compound, protesters left their camp on Monday to march to the nearby parliament in Bangkok, seeking to prevent MPs from discussing key constitutional amendments.
Government officials have said they plan to go ahead with the parliament session but say amendments to the constitution - which the protesters oppose - are not on the agenda.
'No force'
About 1,150 police stood guard outside the barricaded parliament as the mass of protesters arrived, to try to prevent a repeat of bloody street battles on October 7 that left two protesters dead and nearly 500 people injured.
Colonel Sansern Khaewkamnerd, an army spokesman, said police would be responsible for keeping the situation under control, but that 2,000 soldiers would be on standby in case police asked for help.
Nattawut Saikuar, a government spokesman, vowed on Sunday that the government would not use force.
"Police and soldiers will not be armed with lethal weapons, only shields and batons," he said.
Police put up barricades while schools were ordered closed and zookeepers moved animals to safety as Bangkok braced for the rally.
Sondhi Limthongkul, the leader of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group leading the protests, said late on Sunday that supporters would divide into groups and descend on different locations throughout the capital for a "final battle" against the government.
"It will be our longest day. The leaders have already planned our battle tactics... in this war the protesters will seize our capital back," he said.
Refusing to quit
The PAD is demanding the resignation of Somchai, accusing him of being a proxy for his brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Protesters are demanding Somchai resign as prime minister [AFP]
As the protesters massed outside parliament on Monday, Somchai said from Peru, where he was attending a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, that he did not intend to resign.
"We came in through democratic elections, so I am not thinking of resigning at all," he told the Reuters news agency.
"I will exercise restraint to the utmost. We have to talk and try for reconciliation," said Somchai, who added the Thai military had repeatedly ruled out a coup and that he saw no need to use stronger measures to quell the protests.
The protesters' camp at Government House has been attacked several times in recent weeks by small bombs and grenades, including a blast on Thursday that killed one person and wounded 29.
One of the eight people wounded by a grenade on Saturday died on Sunday.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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With the exception of the 2-4 square block area affected by the demonstration, life goes on in the rest of Bangkok as usual. Yes, I would avoid the demonstation, but that is hardly a reason to avoid Thailand IMHO. |
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Ultimo Hombre
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
Location: BEER STORE
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject: |
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You forgetting the insane protests over beef from a few months ago? Shit happens everywhere.
Last edited by Ultimo Hombre on Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jkelly80
Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Location: you boys like mexico?
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
| Scotticus wrote: |
| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
My dad taught in a college down there, it sounded like a lot of fun. |
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrarian |
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Bryan
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Thailands cool, never hear of anyone making money there, but it's cool. |
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Louie
Joined: 12 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
I knew alot of people who actually made their money in the Middle East and bought their homes in Thailand.
Those who are afraid of working in the Middle East, what do you base your fear off of? Iraq?....hehehehehehe
The GCC region is one of the most stable areas in the world and one of the best places to make money...... |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject: |
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| jkelly80 wrote: |
| Ukon wrote: |
| Scotticus wrote: |
| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
My dad taught in a college down there, it sounded like a lot of fun. |
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrarian |
It wasn't a "blast", but for a place to live for a year, it would be a interesting experience. If it wasn't for 9/11 He was gonna go for a second term(He went for 6 months at first).
Granted, he wasn't in ESl and was paid a lot more than you guys ever would teaching English down there. |
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Seoul'n'Corea
Joined: 06 Nov 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject: Re: Thailand Really the Place to be? |
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| egrog1717 wrote: |
I know a lot of people are talking about skipping out of Korea for Thailand... But is that really the place to be right now?
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/11/2008112411139337286.html
| Quote: |
Thousands of demonstrators have surrounded Thailand's parliament building, vowing a "final battle" to overthrow the government.
But Somchai Wongsawat, the prime minister, said he would not step down.
After months of laying siege to the prime minister's Government House office compound, protesters left their camp on Monday to march to the nearby parliament in Bangkok, seeking to prevent MPs from discussing key constitutional amendments.
Government officials have said they plan to go ahead with the parliament session but say amendments to the constitution - which the protesters oppose - are not on the agenda.
'No force'
About 1,150 police stood guard outside the barricaded parliament as the mass of protesters arrived, to try to prevent a repeat of bloody street battles on October 7 that left two protesters dead and nearly 500 people injured.
Colonel Sansern Khaewkamnerd, an army spokesman, said police would be responsible for keeping the situation under control, but that 2,000 soldiers would be on standby in case police asked for help.
Nattawut Saikuar, a government spokesman, vowed on Sunday that the government would not use force.
"Police and soldiers will not be armed with lethal weapons, only shields and batons," he said.
Police put up barricades while schools were ordered closed and zookeepers moved animals to safety as Bangkok braced for the rally.
Sondhi Limthongkul, the leader of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) group leading the protests, said late on Sunday that supporters would divide into groups and descend on different locations throughout the capital for a "final battle" against the government.
"It will be our longest day. The leaders have already planned our battle tactics... in this war the protesters will seize our capital back," he said.
Refusing to quit
The PAD is demanding the resignation of Somchai, accusing him of being a proxy for his brother-in-law, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Protesters are demanding Somchai resign as prime minister [AFP]
As the protesters massed outside parliament on Monday, Somchai said from Peru, where he was attending a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, that he did not intend to resign.
"We came in through democratic elections, so I am not thinking of resigning at all," he told the Reuters news agency.
"I will exercise restraint to the utmost. We have to talk and try for reconciliation," said Somchai, who added the Thai military had repeatedly ruled out a coup and that he saw no need to use stronger measures to quell the protests.
The protesters' camp at Government House has been attacked several times in recent weeks by small bombs and grenades, including a blast on Thursday that killed one person and wounded 29.
One of the eight people wounded by a grenade on Saturday died on Sunday.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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Thailand might seem great for a few, but be rest assured there are plenty of problems there. I had a frteind once who was in Thailand in 2006 and nearly got killed when a bus 1 block down was the target for Islamic extremists. They blew the front end off a shopping mall and killed 8 and injured 5 others.
I'd rather for a little more stability. |
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Bryan
Joined: 29 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| He also probably got paid a quarter as much as you do. |
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hugekebab
Joined: 05 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Ukon wrote: |
| jkelly80 wrote: |
| Ukon wrote: |
| Scotticus wrote: |
| Yeah, Thailand isn't exactly the safest choice you could be making at the moment. Still, I'd spend a lifetime in Thailand before I'd teach a year in the Middle East. |
My dad taught in a college down there, it sounded like a lot of fun. |
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrarian |
It wasn't a "blast", but for a place to live for a year, it would be a interesting experience. If it wasn't for 9/11 He was gonna go for a second term(He went for 6 months at first).
Granted, he wasn't in ESl and was paid a lot more than you guys ever would teaching English down there. |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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That's too bad. Thailand is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and about the most budget tourist friendly there is. It's got a special rustic appeal with having all those cheap bungalows and guided treks. While this country accommodates the rich quite well, it is well know for accommodating tourists are aren't rich and fancy styled, but looking for a cool experience.
They need to stop being violent and get back to work and live peacefully. I suspect most of the Thai people working in tourism are busy at work, but those that are fighting the government are unemployed or not making any money so they're mad about it. When Thai people are not happy and feel it's not, "same same," they stand up, get pissed off, and fight, but they don't expect super high pay or anything way out of reason. They don't bend over, but are also modest. If what happened to American workers happened in Thailand, there would had been a big fight against the government and country shut down.
Yes, you can still go to Thailand, just avoid demonstrations which usually happen in one part of Bangkok. |
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Newbie2008
Joined: 21 Mar 2008
Location: Omni-present
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| Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:12 am Post subject: T.I.T. |
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This kind of thing is always going on. I used to live in Thailand but have strangely managed to avoid the coos and demonstrations every time - all the action happened whenever I left the country to vacation in Asia!
I'm living in India now, and there's plenty worse going on over here. I usually go back to Thailand to spend Christmas there every year....and I'd rather be there than here sometimes - especially regarding the Christian massacre that happened over here recently.
Stuff happens. If you're street wise and have some common sense....everything usually works out OK. I had a bit of a rough experience with the Maoists in Nepal once....but the locals aren't usually interested in foreigners (unless we're talking the Middle East and Indonesia etc).
All the Best
John
Co-Founder
http://www.intrepid.esl.com
Keeping it Real....
**Update**
26 November - At least 101 people have been killed, and at least 300 injured, in the co-ordinated shootings in southern Mumbai.
Thailand's government says it will declare a state of emergency at Bangkok's two main airports, which have been taken over by protesters.
Looks like I'll have to cancel my holiday.....
Oh and thanks "Mr Dokdo"....it's nice to know that with all this going on....at least the punctuation police are still in full force on this forum! I'll leave the carefully placed spelling mistake above, where it is to annoy the hell out of you allllllllllll!!!!!!! hehe
Last edited by Newbie2008 on Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:01 am; edited 2 times in total |
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