BTS Closed -Tuesday April 27 2010

[TTChang]

Arrived back in LOS today, and exited my BKK place as soon as I could sort out my stuff (my travel insurance doesn't cover me being in BKK for 'non-essential' reasons ... don't suppose barfining in Obsessions counts as that!   ).  Soi Nana seemed eerily quiet.  

I expect shit-lobbing to arrive tomorrow, but may not be a problem if the gov turn off the electricity to the fans     Could be very messy in any case.

[guydesavoy]

blackout 'postponed'

But better to be outta there

[robbo]

whats the story TTCHANG ? was due to fly over in next few days,best to avoid BKK? go straight to PATTS? PHUKET? whats happening on the ground?

[PigDogg]

BANGKOK: -- The Center for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has announced that to encourage the protesters to disperse armored vehicles will be used to surround the anti-government red-shirt protesters this evening.

Live bullets will be used.

[kahuna]

Sure...The very minute it starts snowing in Bangkok...Just more hollow threats...

[Snick]

No they are serious, double secret serious this time for sure...........or not

[Torurot]

By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer Grant Peck, Associated Press Writer €“ 27 mins ago
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100513/...iland_politics
BANGKOK €“ The Thai government suspended its plan to cut water and electricity supplies to anti-government demonstrators camped in a posh central Bangkok neighborhood, heeding pleas from residents and foreign diplomats who live and work there.

But it also withdrew an offer to hold elections in November, bringing Thailand's months-old political crisis back to square one, days after it appeared that a compromise was imminent.

The "Red Shirt" protesters believe Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's coalition government came to power illegitimately through manipulation of the courts and the backing of the powerful military, and have been demanding new elections in street rallies since March 12. Clashes with security forces and other violence have left at least 29 people dead and 1,400 injured.

A government blockade of the Red Shirts' protest zone in central Bangkok was supposed to start Wednesday at midnight, but water and electricity were available as usual Thursday morning in the upscale Rajprasong area.

Thousands of Red Shirts protesters have camped for two months on the streets and parks in a 1-squrae-mile (3-square-kilometer) area, which is home to several embassies, shopping malls, hospitals and upmarket apartments.They have set up their own security checkpoints.

Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the spokesman of an agency in charge of suppressing the protest, said late Wednesday that the plan to choke off essential services to the "Red Shirt" demonstrators was put on hold because of the repercussions it would have on other residents.

He said European diplomats and others expressed concern to the Bangkok governor that the blockade would effect residents more than the protesters.

"We have to assess who is going to face the impact more: the protesters or people living in the area," told The Associated Press.

There was no sign of increased police or troop presence, and traffic was moving as usual through the bamboo-and-tire barricades set up by the Red Shirts on the southern and eastern edges of the protest camps.

Sansern, said security forces would "not use force at this stage," but left open the possibility of more violence if the protesters refuse to disperse.

With the government's tougher tone, chances of a negotiated settlement appeared almost doomed, just days after the two sides had agreed in principle to a reconciliation plan. But the protesters later said they would stay put until the deputy prime minister faces criminal charges for violence during the protests.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Abhisit's offer to hold November elections €” one year before his term expires €” was now off the table because the protesters had refused to budge.

From behind their barricades, leaders of the Red Shirts were defiant.

"Firstly, we are using our own electricity generators, so we are not dependent on the public power source," said one, Jatuporn Prompan. "Secondly, if the government decides to cut water ... this will also affect half of the city. So we do not care about the government's threat."

Another leader, Nattawut Saikua, told reporters that "We have made a decision to hold our ground here to call for justice for our people. We are going to stay here no matter what happens."

Major shopping malls along the occupied streets closed weeks ago and some luxury hotels have shut their doors as the demonstrators listen to speeches on makeshift stages set up at various intersections. The occupation has dealt a blow to an economy that depends largely on tourism.

The U.S. Embassy posted a notice to Americans about the intended blockade, and reiterated earlier warnings that "U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and lodging in this area and the areas in and around all demonstrations, if possible."

Abhisit has set no exact timeframe for escalating the crackdown if the siege fails, government spokesman Panitan told cable television network TNN. "He simply said he wants the protest to end soonest."

The Red Shirts, who are largely drawn from the rural and urban poor, see Abhisit's government as serving an elite insensitive to the plight of most Thais. The protesters include many supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a populist leader who was accused of corruption and abuse of power and ousted in a 2006 military coup.

Thaksin, a former telecommunications billionaire who fled overseas to avoid a corruption conviction, is widely believed to be helping to bankroll the protests. He claims to be a victim of political persecution.

___

Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker, Denis D. Gray, Thanyarat Doksone and Kay Johnson contributed to this report, with additional research by Warangkana Tempati.

[Snick]

news changes fast, looks like the army IS closing off the area.
Businesses are closing early, skytrain is jammed.

Map
http://digg.com/u1X49N

[kahuna]

I quess the snow storm has indeed started...All you Bangkok Boys be very very careful...

[Snick]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going to Pattaya

[robbo]

its not looking good,this could well kick off at some point,cannot carry on as it is,and the government know it.
the holiday makers who are playing hi de hi in one of the most important parts of the city are begining to cost business there a lot of money,aswell as the country as a whole.
vistors to LOS were down asmuch as 30% in april,other factors than red shirts involved but its the big reason ill bet.
ontop of this is Thailands image across the world which is now fast going down the pan........this matters big time.
behind its sun drenched glamour it has and allways will be potentially a very dangerous place now that perception is being rammed home to its potential visitors and investors.its not a good picture to paint for a country in need.
i would expect this situation to begin to be dealt with soon,from then i can see it fast get worse before better.ie: bloodshed and military action.
should have been dealt with sooner,not left to fester.
think this kind of demo would last in london?

[kahuna]

The shit is hitting the fan..........

Outspokesn red general shot and in critical condition

An outspoken red shirt leader Lt Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol is shot and suffers a serious wound at the base of the head on Thursday.

He was reportedly being treated in intensive care unit at Hua Chiew Hospital. At 8.20pm, Seh Daeng is undergoing a CAT scan.  

Reports said that he was shot in the head near Sala Daeng intersection while he was giving an interview to a Japanese reporter.

A Nation reporter at the hospital reported that he saw Seh Daeng being moved from ICU room to a CAT scan room. His head was covered with bandage and wearing an oxygen mask.

The incident happened shortly after the government sealed off the roads surrounding the rally site, shut off electricity, cut off water supply and all transportation around the site.

Reporters at the scene reported that they heard what they believed were bomb explosions and gunfires.

Nation television channel reported that an unknown number of people were injured from the explosions and are sent to a nearby hospital.

[BlueBallz]

Of course the govt will have NO IDEA who did it................

[BlueBallz]

You know its super serous when the govt interrupts the evening soaps to read an emergency decree banning meetings of more than 5 people!!!!! Lets see them enforce it-DOH!!!!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE-has a special meaning now!!!

[robbo]

talk of state of emergency spreading to many provinces,not looking good,its deteriorating.