TAT warns Australians not to visit Bangkok

[Beachlover]

I'm not sure if the TAT was warning all foreigners or just Australians (wouldn't make sense) but here's what they said:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/thai ... 5831941741 (http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/thailand-warns-aussies-not-to-go-to-bangkok/story-e6frfq80-1225831941741)

Thailand warns Aussies not to go to Bangkok


AUSTRALIANS have been warned against travelling to Bangkok because of the rising threat of violent protests.

Thailand's own tourism council has said foreign tourists should avoid visiting the capital from February 26 and onwards.

Two attempted bombings and next week's highly-anticipated verdict in the legal case involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have caused tensions to rise.

Political protests are expected.

The council's Pornthip Hirunkate said Australians should delay their trips or visit other areas of Thailand until the threat eases.

"We would just suggest that from February 26, if they can come, delay their trip to Bangkok and go to other beaches instead of the city,'' she told ABC Television on Thursday.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was monitoring the situation in Thailand.

The travel advisory remains at the same level, where visitors are advised to exercise a high degree of caution because of the political instability.

Australians should avoid demonstrations and rallies.

[cdnmatt]

Whoo... about time. Thailand's been way too stable lately, so I guess it's about that time to have some political and economic destabilization again. The Thais are lacking. Usually it comes in quicker intervals than this.

Anyway, I just checked the Canadian government's site, and their profile on Thailand basically says the same. "Exercise high degree of caution", mainly due to what might be the upcoming political instability.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/ ... ?id=290000 (http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=290000)


There have been several waves of mass political demonstrations in Thailand in recent years which have led to significant security problems and to occasional violence. In April 2009, political demonstrations and civil unrest occurred in Bangkok and in many provinces throughout the country, which led to violent and fatal clashes between security forces, demonstrators and private citizens. Mass demonstrations in Bangkok in 2008 included violent clashes and the use of explosive devices which resulted in casualties and injuries and also forced the temporary closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok. These events were preceded by a military coup which took place in September 2006. While order was restored, periods of volatility have since occurred.

On several occasions in 2009, the Thai government authorized the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in response to demonstrations and calls for demonstrations. The provisions of the ISA can affect civil liberties by limiting the right to assembly, and imposing curfews, and other restrictions. Recently, the Government announced that it is prepared for the possibility of large-scale demonstrations, and is prepared to deploy police and troops as needed, as well as to use the ISA if necessary.

Canadians are strongly advised to avoid any demonstrations, protest sites, or concentrations of security personnel and should exercise caution, follow advice of local authorities, and monitor local media.

The Canadian government tends to hype things up an unreal amount in this travel reports though, to help ensure everyone who travels is safe. Just use common sense, and you're fine.

[Beachlover]

I bet the TAT chap who made this announcements has been circumcised LOL. Fellow officials must be screaming the Thai equivalent of, "are you crazy"?!... It's quite unlike them to say things like this.

Australian Government's website hasn't changed: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/ ... e/thailand (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/thailand)

I'll keep an eye on it... Too busy to travel right now but tempted to whip out to somewhere like Bangkok for just a weekend or something.

I bet the TAT chap who made this announcements has been circumcised LOL. Fellow officials must be screaming the Thai equivalent of, "are you crazy"?!... It's quite unlike them to say things like this.

Australian Government's website hasn't changed: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/ ... e/thailand (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/advice/thailand)

I'll keep an eye on it... Too busy to travel right now but tempted to whip out to somewhere like Bangkok for just a weekend or something.

May be not. The MFA held a meeting last week with embassy officials and warned them of possible unrest. I think this is the first time such things have been done in Thailand, but it might be as a result of last years riots.

[Hmmm]

It's just part of the long-running strategy to demonize the red shirts, to justify whatever brutal crackdown the powers-that-be may need to justify when the time comes .... as opposed to the non-response to the other side who occupied government house and shut down the country by blocking the airport.

It's just part of the long-running strategy to demonize the red shirts, to justify whatever brutal crackdown the powers-that-be may need to justify when the time comes .... as opposed to the non-response to the other side who occupied government house and shut down the country by blocking the airport.

but werent Thaksin's mates the ones in government at the time of the airport closure? its hardly fair to try to compare the former government's reaction (or lack thereof) to the yellow shirt's protests to the reaction of the current government to the red shirt's protests.

[cdnmatt]

It's just part of the long-running strategy to demonize the red shirts, to justify whatever brutal crackdown the powers-that-be may need to justify when the time comes

Honestly, I think it's just simply because the red-shirts seem quite pissed off, and the current government is actually fearful of their own demise.


its hardly fair to try to compare the former government's reaction (or lack thereof) to the yellow shirt's protests to the reaction of the current government to the red shirt's protests.

Sure it's fair. The red-shirts outnumber the yellow-shirts by a HUGE margin, hence the different reactions by government. It's just the yellow shirts have a lot more power and money, so I guess lets see if that's enough to keep them running the show. Time will tell!

Considering history though, I'd put my money on the red-shirts. I have no idea when, or which one of their many "final pushes" it'll be (they seem to have one every month or two), but if history is right, they'll end up in charge again sometime in the future.

[Beachlover]

That makes some sense... It's a deliberate tactic to make the reds look bad. This is despite the fact the yellows did more damage than anyone could ever have imagined when they blockaded the airports.

That makes some sense... It's a deliberate tactic to make the reds look bad. This is despite the fact the yellows did more damage than anyone could ever have imagined when they blockaded the airports.

I would disagree - as bad as the airport closures were, they were relatively peaceful, compared to the violence that occurred during the Songkran riots. The sight of buses burning on the streets was not a good one.
Also, the government at the time of the yellow shirt protests tried to get the army involved, but they refused to act. With their protests. the red shirts raised the level of chaos so that the army would have no option but to get involved, but they were hoping that the army would also conduct a coup as part of their actions. Didnt quite go according to plan for them.

I would disagree - as bad as the airport closures were, they were relatively peaceful, compared to the violence that occurred during the Songkran riots. The sight of buses burning on the streets was not a good one.

Also, the government at the time of the yellow shirt protests tried to get the army involved, but they refused to act. With their protests. the red shirts raised the level of chaos so that the army would have no option but to get involved, but they were hoping that the army would also conduct a coup as part of their actions. Didnt quite go according to plan for them.I guess you received the gold medal in the Jumping To Conclusions event? I prefer to consider sites where there's a greater depth (http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/) to the analysis. (Don't try accessing this site if you're in Thailand unless you have proxy or VPN access to a server outside Thailand).

[quote="dave_syd":1w2tgq0a]
I would disagree - as bad as the airport closures were, they were relatively peaceful, compared to the violence that occurred during the Songkran riots. The sight of buses burning on the streets was not a good one.

Also, the government at the time of the yellow shirt protests tried to get the army involved, but they refused to act. With their protests. the red shirts raised the level of chaos so that the army would have no option but to get involved, but they were hoping that the army would also conduct a coup as part of their actions. Didnt quite go according to plan for them.I guess you received the gold medal in the Jumping To Conclusions event? I prefer to consider sites where there's a greater depth (http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/) to the analysis. (Don't try accessing this site if you're in Thailand unless you have proxy or VPN access to a server outside Thailand).[/quote:1w2tgq0a]

Perhaps you could honor us with the benefit of your wisdom then?

Perhaps you could honor us with the benefit of your wisdom then?Certainly:
1 Stick to the facts
2 Don't have opinions - especially about something where you don't know all the facts
3 Follow Montaigne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaigne)'s dictum "What do I know?" which expresses the idea that doubt is the principal (if not the only) value worth having

[quote="dave_syd":3vm8in08]Perhaps you could honor us with the benefit of your wisdom then?Certainly:
1 Stick to the facts
2 Don't have opinions - especially about something where you don't know all the facts
3 Follow Montaigne (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_de_Montaigne)'s dictum "What do I know?" which expresses the idea that doubt is the principal (if not the only) value worth having[/quote:3vm8in08]

so the site you provided a link to has only the facts, no opinions?

so the site you provided a link to has only the facts, no opinions?I never claimed it didn't have opinions, merely that there was more depth to its opinions than yours. Whether its opinions have much value is an altogether different question. Is that too subtle for you?

[Beachlover]

[quote="dave_syd":2jw994l5]
I would disagree - as bad as the airport closures were, they were relatively peaceful, compared to the violence that occurred during the Songkran riots. The sight of buses burning on the streets was not a good one.

Also, the government at the time of the yellow shirt protests tried to get the army involved, but they refused to act. With their protests. the red shirts raised the level of chaos so that the army would have no option but to get involved, but they were hoping that the army would also conduct a coup as part of their actions. Didnt quite go according to plan for them.I guess you received the gold medal in the Jumping To Conclusions event? I prefer to consider sites where there's a greater depth (http://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/) to the analysis. (Don't try accessing this site if you're in Thailand unless you have proxy or VPN access to a server outside Thailand).[/quote:2jw994l5]

1. See... you added something interesting. But why be a complete dick about it and start straight off with a bitchy put down to dave_syd, Homintern?

2. This is casual/informal conversation. Not a parliamentary debate... Even more reason not to be a dick.

[quote="dave_syd":26z4itzy]so the site you provided a link to has only the facts, no opinions?I never claimed it didn't have opinions, merely that there was more depth to its opinions than yours. Whether its opinions have much value is an altogether different question. Is that too subtle for you?[/quote:26z4itzy]

so the site doesn't follow Copper Pheel's 2nd Law of Wisdom? Or do they have all the facts to base their opinions on? And how do we know who has all the facts, and whose opinion we can trust?

[Beachlover]

That makes some sense... It's a deliberate tactic to make the reds look bad. This is despite the fact the yellows did more damage than anyone could ever have imagined when they blockaded the airports.

I would disagree - as bad as the airport closures were, they were relatively peaceful, compared to the violence that occurred during the Songkran riots. The sight of buses burning on the streets was not a good one.
Also, the government at the time of the yellow shirt protests tried to get the army involved, but they refused to act. With their protests. the red shirts raised the level of chaos so that the army would have no option but to get involved, but they were hoping that the army would also conduct a coup as part of their actions. Didnt quite go according to plan for them.

Perhaps they were peaceful... but the economic cost was obscene. Billions of dollars lost by businesses with goods stranded by the blockade, transport/logistics companies, airlines (worst for Thai Airways which borrowed 37 billion baht more a few months later), massive damage to the tourism industry and other export industries. More people start to think the country's stability is a joke.

so the site doesn't follow Copper Pheel's 2nd Law of Wisdom? Or do they have all the facts to base their opinions on? And how do we know who has all the facts, and whose opinion we can trust?Precisely.

[quote="dave_syd":m0w49nee]so the site doesn't follow Copper Pheel's 2nd Law of Wisdom? Or do they have all the facts to base their opinions on? And how do we know who has all the facts, and whose opinion we can trust?Precisely.[/quote:m0w49nee]

so why are the opinions and/or facts on that site better than any other?

so why are the opinions and/or facts on that site better than any other?I didn't realise that it's possible to have "better" facts. More complete facts, or those that provide more background information, perhaps, but "better"? Perhaps you don't comprehend that all you have given us is your opinions on the consequences of two briefly-stated facts:
1 Suvarnabhumi Airport was closed for a period before the end of 2008 by supporters of the Yellow Shirts while the Red Shirt supporters were the lawful government
2 The Red Shirts disrupted the ASEAN leaders' meeting Pattaya while the Yellow Shirts supporters were the lawful government

Those facts are baldly stated. Everything else is your opinion, not fact. Parading your opinions no doubt massages your own ego but I incline to Chinese Prime Minister Chou En Lai's response 200 years after the French Revolution, when asked about its consequences. "Too soon to tell" was his answer.

[quote="dave_syd":2wk9g9oc]so why are the opinions and/or facts on that site better than any other?I didn't realise that it's possible to have "better" facts. More complete facts, or those that provide more background information, perhaps, but "better"? Perhaps you don't comprehend that all you have given us is your opinions on the consequences of two briefly-stated facts:
1 Suvarnabhumi Airport was closed for a period before the end of 2008 by supporters of the Yellow Shirts while the Red Shirt supporters were the lawful government
2 The Red Shirts disrupted the ASEAN leaders' meeting Pattaya while the Yellow Shirts supporters were the lawful government

Those facts are baldly stated. Everything else is your opinion, not fact. Parading your opinions no doubt massages your own ego but I incline to Chinese Prime Minister Chou En Lai's response 200 years after the French Revolution, when asked about its consequences. "Too soon to tell" was his answer.[/quote:2wk9g9oc]

I never thought that I was doing anything other than stating my opinion, same as were the other posters were doing. I thought thats what people did here?

I never thought that I was doing anything other than stating my opinion, same as were the other posters were doing. I thought thats what people did here?Sadly, making a parade of their ignorance dressed up as their opinion is what many posters here do all too often.

[Hmmm]

It's just part of the long-running strategy to demonize the red shirts, to justify whatever brutal crackdown the powers-that-be may need to justify when the time comes .... as opposed to the non-response to the other side who occupied government house and shut down the country by blocking the airport.

but werent Thaksin's mates the ones in government at the time of the airport closure? its hardly fair to try to compare the former government's reaction (or lack thereof) to the yellow shirt's protests to the reaction of the current government to the red shirt's protests.

You misread 'powers-that-be" as meaning the government. There are at least several such powers in Thailand. Any crack down will require force and will therefore come from the army, the police, or certain para-military forces who answer to generally hidden powers. Even the army and police have no obligatory loyalty to the government. At one point in time they may appear to act in accord with the government's wishes, but actually they're acting in their own best interests. At other times, they will simply ignore the government's orders. As now with the army, they may even be internally divided with different groups loyal to different factions in Thai society.

Even the army and police have no obligatory loyalty to the government.

Wrong. They both have an "obligatory loyalty" and have all sworn oaths to that effect. They simply choose to ignore it and are allowed to do so. Serving military officers, for example, who not only reject their superiors' orders but directly threaten them would usually be court-martialled or at least discharged elsewhere; here it is simply business as usual.

[quote="dave_syd":tw0ulem9]I never thought that I was doing anything other than stating my opinion, same as were the other posters were doing. I thought thats what people did here?Sadly, making a parade of their ignorance dressed up as their opinion is what many posters here do all too often.[/quote:tw0ulem9]

And here's a prime example.

[Beachlover]

This article says it was a spokesperson for the Tourism Council of Thailand... not the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) who made the comment.

http://blogs.smh.com.au/travel/travelle ... iswer.html (http://blogs.smh.com.au/travel/travellerscheck/2010/02/22/thewordiswer.html)