Stories tagged with state
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State of emergency lifted in Bangkok
Bangkok’s state of emergency, first put into effect on 2 September, has been lifted now that Thailand’s ex-prime minister, Samak Sundarav, has stepped down. The decision by the government was cheered by the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), and virtually every other person working in the tourism industry.
ATTA’s president, Apichart Sankary, told reporters that the move will go a long way towards boosting the confidence of travellers ahead of Thailand’s winter high season, which begins in November. Tourism plays a major role in Thailand’s local economy, injecting around 600 billion baht from foreign visitors and another 400 billion baht from Thai tourists into the country each year.
In 2007, around 15 million foreign travellers visited Thailand, but many tourists have been staying away from the kingdom since the political turmoil began several weeks ago. Apichart estimates that the number of foreign tourists who come to Thailand in 2008 will be more or less the same as last year if confidence can be restored soon.
Bookings are down throughout the country compared to this time last year, but now that the anti-government protestors have backed off foreigners may be encouraged to reconsider their travel plans. Ironically, despite a few disruptions to the nation’s transport system, Thailand’s main tourist destinations were completely unaffected by the protests. Beach resorts are open for business as usual, and even the capital is returning to its normal charmingly tussled state.
Posted by: Andrew on 19 Sep 2008, 10:09 -
Bangkok under state of emergency
On Tuesday morning at 07:00, current Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency, effectively putting the capital Bangkok under the full control of the army. Following increasingly violent clashes between PAD anti-government protestors, pro-government protestors, and police, Samak enacted his authority to declare the crisis official.
The prime minister’s declaration was prompted by overnight fighting between anti-government and pro-government protestors in the streets of Bangkok. One man was killed and dozens of protestors injured during the running street fights. General Anupong Paojinda, the commander of the Thai army, has been put in control of the crisis, and now has absolute power to deal with the political unrest in Bangkok.
The state of emergency effectively means that any protest gathering of five or more people is prohibited. The police and military can use whatever force they deem necessary to disperse the illegal gatherings. Media that encourages public protesting can also be censored or shut down.
United front of Democracy against Dictatorship leaders stated immediately that they would “obey the law and go home,” thus ending their rally at Sanam Luang. The People’s Alliance for Democracy’s (PAD) Suriyasai Katasila, stated that his group would now meet to discuss their next move. This new Emergency Law has never been officially used in Thailand, and takes the stand-off to a new unpredictable level. Samak is nominal head of Thailand’s Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), so the army and police are effectively under his command.
All travellers heading to Bangkok should be aware that there will likely be delays in all areas of infrastructure and transport, as well as the rising potential for street clashes.
Check the latest news at The Bangkok Post
Posted by: Andrew on 02 Sep 2008, 21:49