Stories tagged with protests
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Prime Minister out and airports open
A court ruling has removed the Prime Minister and the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is leaving Bangkok’s airports. The PAD is claiming victory and telling their supporters to go home, but be ready for additional protests if they are needed. The PAD had held Thailand’s two main airports hostage for 9 days in an attempt to get the Prime Minister to step down.
The airport authorities are now scrambling to re-open the airports and get stranded tourists back home. There are still an estimated 300,000 tourists stranded in Thailand. The authorities said it would take several days to get the airports running at full capacity. The
Thai airline companies have suffered massive losses during the protests. The airport closure cost Thailand an estimated 80 million dollars per day due to interrupted international business and loss in tourist revenue. Bangkok’s two main airports are major hubs for thousands of businesses around Asia. Thailand also exports many products that rely on cargo airplanes leaving from Bangkok.
Analysts say it will take several months for Thailand to recover from the political crisis. Not only money has been lost, but also Thailand has damaged its image throughout the world.
Posted by: Andrew on 04 Dec 2008, 17:18 -
Etihad joins Thailand rescue effort
Etihad Airways is joining Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific on the rescue mission to help the tens of thousands of tourists stranded in Bangkok due to the protest takeover of the Thai capital's two airports.
Ehitad is cranking up its special relief flights from U-tapao airport, about three hours east of Bangkok, to its home base in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates-based carrier has received special permission to operate flights out of U-tapao and will bring it its own special staff to help with the rescue operation.
The Etihad flights will use a Boeing 777, which can hold 378 passengers. Etihad captain Richard Hill said "our staff in Thailand and Abu Dhabi have been working around the clock to finalise the plans to assist those passengers who have been stranded in Thailand since Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok closed on Wednesday night."
Etihad Airways has to suspend its twice-a-day service to Suvarnabhumi airport following its closure on Wednesday evening, November 26, by the forced takeover of PAD anti-government protesters. The airline stated that its usual services will be resumed when the airport reopens. But that date remains completely unknown.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Nov 2008, 12:22 -
100,000 tourists stranded in Bangkok
Around 100,000 tourists are reportedly stranded in Bangkok, unable to return home due to the forced closure of Suvarnabhum Airport by PAD protesters. Officials warn that this number may triple in the coming days if nothing is done immediately to bring order back to Bangkok's two airports.
U-tapao Airport in neighbouring Rayong Province has been trying to handle a few flights and get some international tourists home, but so far only six flights have taken off. On Saturday that number will increase to 15 and on Sunday to 45. But each flight can handle only 300 passengers maximum, so it's actually a drop in the bucket.
Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand are acting as check-in venues for the lucky few who can get out via U-tapao. Airlines are set to announce specific hotels for their check-ins today.
Lufthansa, EVA Air, Scandinavian, and Canadian airlines have all shown a willingness to use U-tapao until the crisis is resolved. From U-tapao Airport passengers can get to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi's airports and then connect to Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.
The Tourism and Sport Ministry has stated it needs at least 200 million baht a day for accommodation and meals based on an estimate of 2,000 baht per head. These expenses are for the stranded tourists, according to Minister Weerasak Kohsurat.
Stay tuned to the Bangkok Post newspaper for the latest
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Nov 2008, 12:08 -
Thais do not want violence
A recent survey shows Thai’s are getting tired of the political violence that has plagued the country in recent months. In the survey, 94 percent supported the campaign to end the political violence, and to restore national unity.
The public-opinion poll was conducted by Assumption University over 19 provinces in all regions of the country. The university surveyed 2,698 eligible voters. The survey was reported to include all age groups with various levels of educations. The findings showed it did not matter how old or young, or how educated, Thai’s want to stop the violence.
Noppadon Kannikar was in charge of the survey conducted throughout Thailand. He believes Thailand can come together and unite despite the differences in political opinion. Mahidol Universtiy held a special lecture that addressed worldly problems, and how to address these issues in an intellectual manner. Noppadon Kannikar was a speaker addressing the political problems in Thailand.
"It is reassuring to learn that most Thais want to stop violence and have amicable talks. If Thais can weather this crisis, we shall be able to live peacefully despite our polar differences in political ideology," he said.
Posted by: Andrew on 04 Nov 2008, 10:12 -
PAD considering blocking Parliament
The main leaders of the People‘s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protest movement are discussing a move to surround Thai Parliament on Tuesday 28 October when lawmakers are to meet to debate two critical issues pertaining to the current government.
PAD leader Pipop Thongchai confirmed that the group is seriously considering invading Parliament when both houses meet to discuss a plan to amend the 2007 Constitution. The other major issue on the agenda in Parliament is to talk about the current status of negotiations between the senior Thai and Cambodian army officers regarding the disputed Preah Vihear temple along the border between the two nations.
If PAD goes ahead with its latest demonstration, it will come exactly three weeks to the day when PAD supporters fought running street battles with police in Bangkok around Parliament that left two protestors dead and around 500 people injured. Pipop says his people believe the government is planning to amend the existing constitution which will lead to more problems.
PAD supporters feel the planned amendments are only meant to make amnesty for politicians like Thaksin easier, and that they have no real political or social value. Pipop insists PAD will try to avoid and even prevent any future violence during their efforts to remove the current government. Visitors, however, may want to hedge their bets and avoid the area around Parliament this week.
Stay tuned to The Nation newspaper for the latest developments
Posted by: Andrew on 27 Oct 2008, 08:02 -
Thai PM forced to flee ministry office
As protestors taunted him, threw plastic bottles, and in the ultimate Thai insult, hurled their dirty sandals at him, Thailand’s latest prime minister Somchai Wongsawat was forced to flee a mob of nearly 200 demonstrators who had gathered outside a government ministry office.
The protestors were demanding Somchai’s resignation just one day after the Thai high court convicted the country’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of corruption charges while he ran the nation between 2001 and 2006. Thaksin, and his cronies, are reviled by the main anti-government group of protestors known as PAD, who claim his administration massively abused power while in office.
Security officials had to whisk Somchai, who is Thaksin’s brother-in-law, away from the building where he was going to speak to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. The demonstrators, many whom appeared to work for state phone company, were waiting when he arrived, shouting “murderer” as they swarmed the prime minister.
After holding his meeting inside the ministry building, a tensely smiling Somchai was helped by his security entourage make it through the angry crowd and into a waiting vehicle. But he had to endure a barrage of plastic bottles, hand clappers and dirty sandals to get there. Somchai is under severe pressure to resign, a move he has so far rejected.
Keep up with the latest developments at the Bangkok Post
Posted by: Andrew on 26 Oct 2008, 04:52 -
Counter-rally against PAD hits Bangkok
A three-day rally to counter the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has kicked off in Bangkok. Around 10,000 people who support the present government joined a demonstration held by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) at Muang Thong Thani.
The event was centred around a special episode of the political talk show Kwam Jing Wan Nee (The Truth Today) and hosted by key members of the UDD, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and even former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair. The venue was a sea of red, the colour of choice for the new pro-government countermovement.
This is the first major gathering of pro-government supporters since the violent clash between the two opposing political camps on 2 September on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The clashes left one UDD supporter dead and more than 40 people injured from both sides.
The three-day UDD rally will happen at Sanam Luang to express their disagreement with the PAD’s occupation of Government House, which they’ve held since 26 August. The PAD are planning a massive demonstration in front of the Royal Police Office in an effort to pressure police to accept responsibility for the 7 October clash between PAD protestors and police that left two people dead and hundreds injured.
Keep up to date with the Bangkok Post.
Posted by: Andrew on 12 Oct 2008, 06:34 -
PAD vow not to close Phuket Airport
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest group based in Phuket vowed not to close down the resort island’s airport like they did at the end of September. The statement came from Aparat Chatchutikamchorn, a core PAD supporter in Phuket, who said that even though tensions were escalating in Bangkok and police were using teargas, protestors in Phuket would leave the airport alone.
In fact, Aparat confirmed that dozens of protestors from Phuket and Songkhla had travelled to Bangkok to join the rally there. Despite the reassurances from PAD, local police in Phuket and Songkhla have tightened their security presence at the airports of both towns just in case things get ugly.
Phuket Deputy Governor Worapot Ratthasima remains confident that Phuket will not experience any violence like in Bangkok. But the police presence at City Hall, the airports and other strategic sites in Phuket and Songkhla suggest otherwise. In late September both Hat Yai and Phuket Airport were shut down for several days by PAD protestors, who blockaded the main entrances.
Posted by: Andrew on 09 Oct 2008, 04:07 -
Uneasy calm descends on Bangkok
After two days of running street fights between anti-government PAD protestors and police troops in the Dusit area of Bangkok, the scene has calmed. The acrid smell of teargas still lingers in the air, but the only action comes from the 200 workers from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) Public Works Department who are cleaning up the tremendous mess.
The fighting was limited to the Dusit district, on the streets around the Royal Plaza and the parliament building. Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant told the staff to clean quickly but watch out for bombs because two bombs were found at the front gates of parliament.
Protestors and police are keeping their distance from each for now, but the leaders of PAD refused to call their protestors away from the Dusit area since they feel there won’t be any more violent clashes right now. Pibhop Dhongchai, a core PAD leader, said "we were prepared to stay calm, expecting the police would not need to disperse the crowd to make way for the lawmakers.”
Protestors are trying to keep lawmakers from entering parliament to open the new government under their latest prime minister. Police have put Vinmanmek Palace off limits for all tourists and Thais until further notice, and it generally advised that foreigners stay away from the Dusit district as the violence could flare up again at any time.
Check the Bangkok Post for the latest
Posted by: Andrew on 09 Oct 2008, 03:55 -
Bangkok protests turn violent
The PAD anti-government protest in Bangkok took a violent turn when police clashed with demonstrators, using tear gas and some kind of explosive device to run them out of Government House. Two protestors have been killed and 358 injured in the past day in heavy fighting.
A Jeep Cherokee exploded in front of the Chart Thai Party headquarters, killing one man and injuring several others. Up to six people have lost limbs in the latest clashes as well, most likely by explosive devices. Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-Gen Jakthip Chaijinda said the loss of limbs could not have been caused by the tear gas canisters, but did not speculate whether the explosives were those of the PAD victims or the police.
The police force has also suffered its share of injuries in the latest fighting. One policeman was skewered by a flag pole, seriously injuring him, while several other police were shot and stabbed by protestors. With the media now calling this Black October 2008, it appears that the violence in Bangkok is about to erupt in the worst of ways.
As Thailand’s high tourism season is about to start, the country is preparing for very low tourist arrivals this winter, especially if the violence continues. So far it is confined to Bangkok, but that could quickly change.
For the latest check out The Bangkok Post
Posted by: Andrew on 08 Oct 2008, 03:45 -
Top PAD protest leader arrested
In a confrontational move Thai police arrested Chamlong Srimuang, one of the main leaders of the PAD anti-government protest movement, on charges of insurrection. It represents a renewed effort by the current government to disperse the PAD movement, which has been rather quiet in recent days.
Police issued warrants for the nine key figures in PAD on 27 August for a range of charges including insurrection, which can result in execution or life in prison. Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, another PAD leader, was arrested Friday on the same charges as Chamlong.
Maj. Gen. Suraphol Thuanthong, a spokesman for the Thai police, ominously told the AP that they were making plans to arrest the remaining seven leaders when the time was right. Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the PAD firebrands still at large, told a gathering of several thousand protestors at Government House, “I am warning you, the government and police, that you are putting fuel on the fire. Once you arrest me, thousands of people will tear you apart.”
The PAD movement has occupied Government House, the official office of the prime minister, since 26 August. As huge crowds again show signs of gathering like a monsoon storm in Bangkok, the country could be in for another round of battles between the government and its critics.
Check out The Nation for the latest developments
Posted by: Andrew on 06 Oct 2008, 10:51 -
Tourists staying away from Thailand
Due to the political protests and general tenuous state of life in Thailand, many foreign tourists are choosing other destinations in Southeast Asia this year. Thailand’s tourism industry is preparing for big losses as its annual high season approaches and bookings are sharply down.
Even with controversial Prime Minister Samak out of the picture, the PAD protests are set to continue until the government is toppled. This unrest has unsettled many tourists, and attempts by the Tourism Council of Thailand to downplay the danger to foreigners hasn’t worked despite its recent marketing campaign titled the “seven wonders of amazing Thailand.”
The Tourism Council of Thailand’s chairman Kongkrit Hiranyakit has warned “from the middle of September to October is a very critical period. The bookings for the high season will start from then. If the normal rate of booking doesn't come by September 20, we are going to lose around 50 billion baht of income in November.”
The council warns that tourism revenue will fall way short of its target of 600 billion baht (US$17.36 billion) if the kingdom’s political crisis isn’t resolved quickly. Tourism makes up 6 per cent of Thailand’s economy and keeps countless Thais employed.
The violence in Bangkok prompted 23 nations to issue travel advisories against Thailand. Bookings are down by about 40 per cent and cancellations have risen to around 50 per cent. Ironically, most of Thailand’s tourist destinations are completely unaffected by the protests, though transport disruptions are still a possibility.
Posted by: Andrew on 16 Sep 2008, 08:30 -
Thai tourism numbers drop sharply
According the data released this week from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), foreign visitors have declined nearly 30 per cent over the usual numbers for this time of year. TAT Region 3 Director Niti Kongkrut, who oversees Pattaya and its surrounding tourist areas, said that the ongoing protests throughout the nation, street fights in Bangkok, and recently declared state of emergency in the capital have all encouraged foreign tourists to change their plans for visiting the kingdom.
The Pattaya Business and Tourism Association feels the same, and has made clear its concern over the economic impacts the political protests are having on Thailand’s tourism industry. Data gathered by the TAT from mid-range hotels in Pattaya indicate that room bookings are down between 20 and 30 per cent across the resort town. Most of these hotels cater to Asian tour groups, confirming that travel warnings issued by other Asian countries are being heeded.
South Korea and Japan are two of Thailand’s biggest Asian markets for tourist arrivals, and both countries issued travel advisories over the past week following the closure of the airports at Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai. Thanet Supornsaharungsi, advisor to the Pattaya Business and Tourism Association, suggests that if the present situation doesn’t improve, Thailand could see high season tourist arrivals drop up to 80 per cent over last year. This would have a devastating effect on the nation’s general economy, especially since most Thai tourism destinations are safe and running normally.
Posted by: Andrew on 14 Sep 2008, 07:35 -
Thai PM forced to step down
Thailand’s controversial Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet were forced to step down following the verdict of the Constitutional Court, which ruled that Samak had broken the Thai constitution by continuing to host his television cooking show while serving as PM.
Samak initially suggested that he would get his PPP party to reinstate him as PM within days, but divisions within the PPP have suddenly and surprisingly emerged helping make Samak’s decision to fade into the background much easier. While this is something of a victory for the anti-government PAD protestors, they have vowed to fight on even harder to finish off the current government.
The court’s ruling was broadcast live on radio and television, prompting cheers from much of the country. Samak’s cooking show, aptly named “Tasting and Complaining,” has been on the air for seven years and is very popular among Thais. But the Thai constitution states that the prime minister cannot undertake any other employment while in office. Samak said he would accept the ruling, bringing the first chapter of Thailand’s present political flux to an end.
In his defense, Samak said he only received compensation for the ingredients he used in his weekly show and transportations costs. Sakchai Khaewwaneesakul, the manager of the cooking show, said he paid Samak US$560 per show, a seemingly vast amount of baht for the ingredients used in Thai dishes.
Posted by: Andrew on 13 Sep 2008, 07:25 -
Phuket airport reopens
After PAD protestors blockaded Phuket and Krabi’s airports for two days, the popular beach destinations are set to reopen for flights again today. Thousands of tourists have been stranded in Phuket since the anti-government protestors cut off access to the roads leading to the island’s airport, but now tourists may finally have a chance to get home.
The director of Phuket International Airport, Vicha Neunlop, told the AFP “the airport resumed operations at about 11:00am [Sunday]. The first flight will land soon. All services at the airport are back to normal. Protestors started leaving the airport [this morning], and there are not many left now.”
More than 15,000 air passengers have been unable to board their planned flights at Thailand’s second-busiest airport in Phuket since Friday, when protestors flooded into the runway and blocked the airport’s entrances. Krabi and Hat Yai’s airports were also shut down by protestors, but Hat Yai reopened on Saturday and news reports say that Krabi should be ready to service flights on Sunday.
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Aug 2008, 09:43 -
Thai protests in Bangkok turning violent
Thailand’s Civil Court has revoked its own order that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors be forcibly removed from Government House and the surrounding streets of Bangkok as it would likely lead to violence. The Criminal Court, however, rejected an appeal by PAD lawyers to revoke outstanding arrest warrants for nine of PAD’s leaders.
PAD lawyer Suwat Apaipak filed the complaint with the Civil Court after police supposedly beat up demonstrators who refused to leave the premises of Government House. Police charged with crowd control have been increasingly clashing with protestors in the streets. On Friday morning a brief fight erupted near the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue when police tried to force protestors to leave the site.
The police achieved initial success, but the protestors returned later in the day, driving a truck straight into a group of officers, who were forced to flee. When police reinforcements tried to take down barricades erected by PAD at the site, fights broke out again, leaving at least three people injured.
Controversial Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stated that the clash resulted because police were trying to enforce a court order for their removal. "In fact, police could have finished their job [on Friday], but I told them to step back because if they went forward, there would have been a bloody clash," Samak told reporters. The situation looks set to get worse before it gets better.
Breaking news available at The Nation newspaper.
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Aug 2008, 09:23 -
Trains, airports shut down for 3rd day
For the third day in a row, Thailand's transportation infrastructure remained crippled as anti-government PAD protestors blocked roads leading to two southern airports and train service nationwide has ground to a halt.
Thousands of tourists and Thai nationals have found themselves stranded in Phuket and Krabi, with little option of how to return to their home countries or home towns. Hat Yai’s airport reopened on Saturday after local officials convinced PAD protestors to allow flights to resume, and Phuket and Krabi's airports look set to resume service on Sunday. Worse for travellers, however, train service across the entire country remains at a standstill for the fourth consecutive day as state railway workers continue to strike.
Transport Minister Santi Promphat directly ordered the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) to immediately meet again with its labour union and find a way to get its staff back to work. Thailand’s railway workers have been striking en masse by calling in sick out of sympathy for the Bangkok protests, which are growing more violent by the day.
The SRT was forced to suspend trains on 76 of its routes, essentially every important rail route in the country. Tourists are suffering the worst from the strike as they have no way to complete their travel plans between northern and southern Thailand. Anyone planning to travel to Thailand should reconsider their plans until the political tensions have been resolved.
Breaking news available at the Bangkok Post.
Posted by: Andrew on 31 Aug 2008, 08:56 -
Thai army calls for PM to step down
Rejecting a call from Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to declare a state of emergency, army commander Anupong Paojinda has instead advised the prime minster to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives in a bid to ease the tensions that are threatening to thrust Thailand into complete upheaval.
General Anupong’s recommendation came during a brief private meeting with Samak shortly after the prime minister met with his Defense Council. Despite the fact that all 17 of Thailand’s previous military coups have happened after repeated denials that the army would take action, General Anupong stated that a military coup would not solve Thailand’s political problems this time.
Samak asked Anupong whether the army was prepared to back him if he declared a state of emergency, but the general firmly stated that he disagreed with the military option out of a fear for potential violence. A source inside the government stated, “he refuses to mobilise troops even if the prime minister goes ahead and declares a state of emergency. He wants the prime minister to first deploy police to handle the situation.”
PAD protestors are now in their fourth day of disruptions, which have greatly escalated with each day. First Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha already has two battalions on stand-by, and all army units stationed in Bangkok are reportedly ready to step in if PAD protestors scale up their attacks on government buildings. It appears likely the army is ready to assume control, despite Anupong’s pleas for restraint. The source implied that if they military stages a coup to remove Samak and his government it will also take down the PAD group in the process.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Aug 2008, 17:34 -
Demonstrators Considering New Sites in Chiang Mai for Protests
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is considering new sites for its rally against the current government. Following recent incidents, rally leader Chamlong Srimuang indicated that the PAD may move its demonstration site from the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge to Government House or some other location.
The government does not want the group to move to Government House in Chiang Mai, as concerns grow over possible clashes between the PAD demonstrators and anti-PAD groups. Army leaders remained calm, however, over the tentative plan to move the protests to Government House. The First Army chief, Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha indicated that police are responsible for keeping the rally and demonstrators under control. The military’s assistance has not been required to maintain order, he said. Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda added that the military would not become involved in this situation, and that it would not side with any political group. Gen Anupong added that troops would only be mobilised in the case of the government declaring an emergency and issuing an executive decree. Thus far, he believed that police have been able to effectively handle the situation.Posted by: Andrew on 10 Jun 2008, 15:00