Political un-rest and rally

[STW_Ryan]

Bastards are looting and burning banks and 7/11s. I hope no-one is going to pretend now that they're peaceful.

[BaaBaa.]

Lots of photos on Yahoo News HERE
Some are pretty grim.

[The understudy]

Thanks a lot BaaBaa for posting the first Pics.
From what I can see and can hear CentralWorld is ablaze and it will take month if not years to rebiuld. similar with Center One and the adjacent Century the Movie Plaza. Siam Movie Theatre @ Siam Square Soi 4 and several hundreds of seven elevens had been set looted and set ablaze as well!!!

In almost every part of Bangers people are staying @ their houses. One friend I Phoned in told me it is almost as eerie as in the opening scenes of the Movie 28 days later.

Luckily all the Van Operators to Hua Hin and elsewhere have moved their Vans to a save place.

I'll be back to Thailand on Monday morning and will head straight to Hua Hin. cause Bangers is to hot to get to right now.

well Poor Thailand. very very poor Thailand. Shaking my head and putting my head in disbelief

Your's The understudy!!!

[STW_Ryan]

Where have they moved the vans? It'd be useful to direct a few mates in Bkk to Hua Hin seeing as it's a bit safer.

[STEVE G]

The UK embassy is saying the following regarding travel to the airport:

Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok is operating as normal. The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open but you should look at our travel advice and the media for any other information.


The Thai Government have said that travel to and from the airport is permitted in curfew hours provided you are able to show officers at checkpoints your passport and airline ticket. However, in view of the risk of violence, we advise any British nationals currently in Bangkok to remain indoors during the curfew period. If you need to travel to the airport, we advise you to do so outside the curfew times even if this means starting your journey earlier than planned.


And is now warning about the situation in Chang Mai:

We advise against all but essential travel to the city of Chiang Mai where a number of violent incidents, some involving gunfire, have occurred following the clearing of the Red Shirt demonstration sites in Bangkok. Red Shirt demonstrators have set up a demonstration site at the Chiang Mai railway station. British nationals already in Chiang Mai should monitor this travel advice and local media before going out during the day, and otherwise comply with the curfew in force.

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help- ... vel-advice

[Bamboo Grove]

Sad as it is but the country has been and is widely divided. The north and north-east (to some extent) pulling the same string (even the north-east is divided btw the northern part (Laotian influence) and the southern part (Khmer influence)), the central plains and the south, which is again divided between the deep south (muslims) and the rest (buddhists). I can't see any other solution here but a strong leader who can unite the country but where can we find one?

[PeteC]

The Criminal Court Wednesday approved the request of the Department of Special Investigation to issue arrest warrant against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and nine other people on charge of terrorism.

DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said the nine other people wanted on the arrest warrant are Adisorn Piengket, Wiphuthalaeng Phattanaphumthai, Phayup Punket, Jeng Dokjik, Wichian Khaokham, Aree Krainara, Suksek Poltua, Surachai Thewarat and Rachata Wongyod. The Nation

They've withdrawn the warrant for Thaksin for "further deliberation". Pete

[PeteC]

From what I can see and can hear CentralWorld is ablaze and it will take month if not years to rebiuld. similar with Center One and the adjacent Century the Movie Plaza. Siam Movie Theatre @ Siam Square Soi 4 and several hundreds of seven elevens had been set looted and set ablaze as well!!!

Central Word has partially collapsed and the rest may go at any time. Zen shopping mall in the same condition. Siam Theatre collapsed into rubble yesterday afternoon, Channel 3 Thai TV will be off indefinitely due to fire damage. It appears the security forces around the Bangkok Post and The Nation building were enough to deter the approaching arsonists. The free fire/shoot on sight order is in effect countrywide. Pete

[PeteC]

Breakingnews » Breakingnews
Big C, Rajdamri on fire

* Published: 20/05/2010 at 03:36 AM
* Online news: Breakingnews

Big C, Rajdamri, which is opposite CentralWorld, was torched early this morning.

The flame has spread to the second floor and has yet to be contained as of this reporting due to its block structure like CentralWorld on the opposite site, which now sees flame dying down after more than 8 hours' burning according to the Thai Rath website.

[tony19690]

The five red shirt leaders have been taken to Hua Hin for safe holding at the army base.

Hope it won't attract any redshirts from bangkok???

[PeteC]

Lots of photos on Yahoo News HERE Some are pretty grim.

That Yahoo link is now giving a 999 error which means too many people are looking at it, or someone has asked Yahoo to block it. See if it works where you are BB? Thanks. Pete

[STEVE G]

Lots of photos on Yahoo News HERE Some are pretty grim.

That Yahoo link is now giving a 999 error which means too many people are looking at it, or someone has asked Yahoo to block it. See if it works where you are BB? Thanks. Pete

It works here Pete, try it again as it's had more pictures added recently.

[PeteC]

Lots of photos on Yahoo News HERE Some are pretty grim.

That Yahoo link is now giving a 999 error which means too many people are looking at it, or someone has asked Yahoo to block it. See if it works where you are BB? Thanks. Pete

It works here Pete, try it again as it's had more pictures added recently.

Hmmm, still nothing and I'm probably the only one up and on line from HHAD Thailand to test it at the moment. Something smells fishy. Pete

[STW_Ryan]

Yahoo link works here

[PeteC]

A lot of security precautions in place, even out here in Rayong which is primarily a neutral and slightly right leaning province. Brother in law who is Thai police was on duty all this past night manning road blocks on Sukhumvit. Said as precaution concerning all the Mataput petrochemical plants. Thai neighbors who are Thai Navy/Marine officers all departed in vans at 0400 wearing .45 sidearms to go back to their duty stations to head up increased security patrols at their bases around here. Another interesting day as dawn approaches, but interesting in the wrong way. Pete