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BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTING!
- Thread starter ahleebabasingaporethief
- Start date
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
A Thai woman peers from behind a tire barricade down a major Bangkok street at burning tires and general chaos as clashes between anti-government red shirt launches and Thai security forces continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Thai woman peers from behind a tire barricade down a major Bangkok street at burning tires and general chaos as clashes between anti-government red shirt launches and Thai security forces continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Thai anti-government red shirt protesters push a tire up a makeshift ladder as violence continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thai anti-government red shirt protesters roll tires into place to build a protective barricade on a major Bangkok street as violence continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
An anti-government protester tries to push back approaching police at the edge of Victory Monument intersection trying to disperse protesters and remove a fire road block, Monday, May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thai anti-government red shirt protesters push a tire up a makeshift ladder as violence continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Thai anti-government red shirt protesters roll tires into place to build a protective barricade on a major Bangkok street as violence continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
An anti-government protester tries to push back approaching police at the edge of Victory Monument intersection trying to disperse protesters and remove a fire road block, Monday, May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
A Thai anti-government red shirt runs toward a barricade with molotov cocktails as clashes continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Motorcyclists ride near burning tires put by anti-government protesters in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
A Thai anti-government red shirt runs toward a barricade with molotov cocktails as clashes continued on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Motorcyclists ride near burning tires put by anti-government protesters in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
The body of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, the chief military advisor of Thailand's "red shirt" anti-government protesters, is carried into a temple during his funeral service in Bangkok May 17, 2010.
The body of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, the chief military advisor of Thailand's "red shirt" anti-government protesters, is carried into a temple during his funeral service in Bangkok May 17, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol pay their last respects next to his body during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The renegade Thai general allied with 'Red Shirt' anti-government protesters died in hospital on May 17 as the toll from three days of clashes between demonstrators and troops hit 35, officials said. Seh Daeng, was shot on May 13 night during an interview with a foreign reporter near the area where thousands of anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters have been camped for weeks.
An action figure symbolising the pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, known as Seh Daeng, is kept with condolence flowers during his funeral in Bangkok on May 17, 2010.
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol pay their last respects next to his body during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The renegade Thai general allied with 'Red Shirt' anti-government protesters died in hospital on May 17 as the toll from three days of clashes between demonstrators and troops hit 35, officials said. Seh Daeng, was shot on May 13 night during an interview with a foreign reporter near the area where thousands of anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters have been camped for weeks.
An action figure symbolising the pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, known as Seh Daeng, is kept with condolence flowers during his funeral in Bangkok on May 17, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Only Daughter of pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, cries during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as Seh Daeng, was shot on May 13, 2010.
Only Daughter of pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, cries during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as Seh Daeng, was shot on May 13, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Mourners use their phones to take pictures of images of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, the chief military advisor of Thailand's "red shirt" anti-government protesters, at his funeral in a temple in Bangkok May 17, 2010.
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol pour water on a picture of him during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, known as Seh Daeng, pay their last respects during his funeral in Bangkok on May 17, 2010.
Mourners use their phones to take pictures of images of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, the chief military advisor of Thailand's "red shirt" anti-government protesters, at his funeral in a temple in Bangkok May 17, 2010.
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol pour water on a picture of him during his funeral on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Supporters of pro-red shirt Major-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, known as Seh Daeng, pay their last respects during his funeral in Bangkok on May 17, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
A red shirt anti-government protester receives help from others after being shot in the head as the violence in central Bangkok continues on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
A red shirt anti-government protester receives help from others after being shot in the head as the violence in central Bangkok continues on May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Thai police officers march into Victory Monument area to provide security near ongoing confrontations with anti-government protesters, Monday, May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Onlookers clap and shake hands with thai policemen as they arrive soon after 3 p.m. deadline, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
A Thai police officer briefs his men soon after 3 p.m. deadline at Victory Monument in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
Thai police officers march into Victory Monument area to provide security near ongoing confrontations with anti-government protesters, Monday, May 17, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Onlookers clap and shake hands with thai policemen as they arrive soon after 3 p.m. deadline, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
A Thai police officer briefs his men soon after 3 p.m. deadline at Victory Monument in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
A girl holds a banner in local language, saying "Stop Killing People" as Thai policemen get briefing soon after 3 p.m. deadline, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010. The Thai government on Monday warned protesters barricaded within their "occupation zone" in the heart of the capital to leave by 3 p.m. , saying anyone who remains there will be violating the law and will face two years in prison.
A girl holds a banner in local language, saying "Stop Killing People" as Thai policemen get briefing soon after 3 p.m. deadline, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010. The Thai government on Monday warned protesters barricaded within their "occupation zone" in the heart of the capital to leave by 3 p.m. , saying anyone who remains there will be violating the law and will face two years in prison.
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
A motorcyclist rides past as Thai policemen march to remove a barricade put up by anti-government protesters near the victory monument, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010. Thailand's Red Shirts offered peace talks Monday to end raging street battles in Bangkok as a government deadline demanding the demonstrators vacate a protest zone passed without capitulation.
A motorcyclist rides past as Thai policemen march to remove a barricade put up by anti-government protesters near the victory monument, in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 17, 2010. Thailand's Red Shirts offered peace talks Monday to end raging street battles in Bangkok as a government deadline demanding the demonstrators vacate a protest zone passed without capitulation
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
I think most pple can sympathize with the Reds. Unlike the Yellow camp, they are not in it for the power, the money, or against someone in particular. What they simply one is to get a democratically government and not one who came into power via political maneuvering. More so because instead of a popular figure, they got a pro elite government. There is actually a vocal yellow support in here celebrating when the former pro-Thaksin Government got kicked out by the PAD protestors. I'm surprise he have not made any comments in here yet
lol, so many Red Shirts supporter here, lol
I think most pple can sympathize with the Reds. Unlike the Yellow camp, they are not in it for the power, the money, or against someone in particular. What they simply one is to get a democratically government and not one who came into power via political maneuvering. More so because instead of a popular figure, they got a pro elite government. There is actually a vocal yellow support in here celebrating when the former pro-Thaksin Government got kicked out by the PAD protestors. I'm surprise he have not made any comments in here yet
Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Remember, only people in BANGKOK dislike Thaksin. BUT, Bangkok is not THAILAND.
But these rich elites and upper middle class always forget or never knew what it is like to be poor. Same as SINGAPORE ELITES.
Explainer: Thailand's political crisis
<script type="text/javascript">if(location.hostname.indexOf( 'edition.' ) > -1) {document.write('May 17, 2010 -- Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT)');} else {document.write('May 17, 2010 8:07 a.m. EDT');}</script>May 17, 2010 -- Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT)
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<!--===========CAPTION==========-->Thai demonstrators use slingshots to launch stones against security forces during clashes in Bangkok on May 16, 2010.
<!--===========/CAPTION=========--><!-- /PURGE: /2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.crisis.explainer/t1larg.catapult.afp.gi.jpg --> <!--endclickprintexclude--><!-- /REAP -->STORY HIGHLIGHTS
(CNN) -- Days of violent unrest in the Thai capital have left dozens dead and hundreds injured as security forces clash with anti-government protesters.
The latest victims include a key opposition leader, Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol -- a renegade general better known as Seh Daeng -- who died days after being critically wounded by a sniper's bullet.
But the current crisis follows a months-long standoff between Thai authorities and protesters opposed to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The protesters -- known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) -- support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, before he was ousted in a bloodless coup.
What is happening now?
The latest violence follows a government pledge to hold an election in November in an attempt to halt the protests. However, amid ongoing anger over a crackdown by security forces last month and a refusal by the protesters to comply with a deadline to vacate the district of Bangkok they have been occupying for weeks, authorities say the election date is now under threat.
Prime Minister Abhisit declared a state of emergency April 7, hours after anti-government demonstrators (known as "Red Shirts" for the clothes they wear) stormed the country's parliament.
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<cite class="expCaption">Video: Innocent being targeted in Bangkok</cite><script type="text/javascript"> var mediaObj = new Object(); mediaObj.type = 'video'; mediaObj.contentId = ''; mediaObj.source = '/video/world/2010/05/16/rivers.thai.meltdown.cnn'; mediaObj.source = mediaObj.source.replace('/video/',''); </script>
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<cite class="expCaption">Video: Thailand and 'live fire zones'</cite><script type="text/javascript"> var mediaObj = new Object(); mediaObj.type = 'video'; mediaObj.contentId = ''; mediaObj.source = '/video/world/2010/05/17/bpr.thailand.rao.hrw.cnn'; mediaObj.source = mediaObj.source.replace('/video/',''); </script>
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<cite class="expCaption">Video: Court: Thaksin abused power</cite><script type="text/javascript"> var mediaObj = new Object(); mediaObj.type = 'video'; mediaObj.contentId = ''; mediaObj.source = '/video/world/2010/02/26/rivers.thailand.thaksin.ruling.cnn'; mediaObj.source = mediaObj.source.replace('/video/',''); </script>
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<!--endclickprintexclude-->Three days later, the deadliest clash in more than a decade between protesters (in this case the Red Shirts) and the military erupted, leading to the deaths of more than two dozen demonstrators and military forces.
Violence erupted again last week when protesters once again ignored an ultimatum to end their occupation in downtown Bangkok by Wednesday. Seh Daeng's subsequent shooting by an unknown assailant raised tensions further and at least 35 people have been killed and 240 wounded in the latest wave of unrest. The government has imposed a state of emergency in 22 provinces and metropolitan Bangkok.
What happens next?
Authorities have urged protesters to evacuate the protest area by Monday afternoon or face up to two years in prison for violating the order. But around 5,000 protesters remained on the streets in defiance of the authorities.
On Sunday protest leaders offered to resume talks with the government in U.N.-mediated negotiations if security forces were withdrawn from the streets. But the government has not accepted the offer. A senior official told CNN that authorities were under pressure to be more decisive in taking action to end the protests and claimed the government had been showing patience and restraint.
Media and analysts in Thailand say civil war may be looming, between the Red Shirts and the so-called "multi-colored shirts" (who support Abhisit). They are displeased with the disruption caused by the protests. They are generally middle-class city dwellers. They are not pro- or anti-government, they simply want the government to shut down the Reds to end the violence and interruptions to daily life. The red and multi-colored shirts have clashed in Silom Road, Bangkok's business and financial district.
How will Seh Daeng's death affect the protest movement?
CNN's Sara Sidner said it was unclear what the immediate impact of Seh Daeng's death would be. "Not all the protesters followed him as some thought he was too much of a hardliner," Sidner said. Some protesters argue that the Red Shirt movement should negotiate with the government to reach a settlement. But militant armed factions loyal to Seh Daeng and known as "Black Shirts" reject negotiation and appear ready to use violence to achieve their goals.
Haven't these protests been going on for a long time?
Yes, Thailand has been embroiled in political chaos for years and many here are growing weary with the instability. Ever since Thaksin came to power, there have been protesters opposing his allegedly corrupt and autocratic rule. Those protesters donned yellow shirts (the color of the king) and occupied the two main airports in Bangkok, until finally the pro-Thaksin government was brought down by a court ruling. In revenge Thaksin's supporters copied the yellow shirt tactics and took to the streets in red shirts.
Why do the sides divide on colors?
It's an easy way for them to create an identity. It all started with the Yellow Shirts wearing a color associated with Monday, the day of the week that Thailand's revered king was born on. That was designed to show their allegiance to the king, and more broadly the traditional elite which has dominated Thai politics for years. Thaksin's supporters then picked a color to distinguish themselves from the Yellow Shirts.
Why are they arguing?
Essentially this is a classic power struggle. It's easy to portray this as simply rich against poor, but it is much more complicated than that, as illustrated by the fact that the Reds' leader is in fact a multi-billionaire. Thaksin rode to power by enacting populist policies which gained huge support from the rural poor. His radical approach ruffled a lot of feathers among the elite, who felt he was in danger of becoming too big for his boots, and could erode their position.
The "civil society" also become concerned over allegations of corruption and his brutal war on drugs, which saw summary executions. He was also criticized for his heavy handed response to violence in the Muslim-dominated south.
Finally the army decided to oust him in a coup, which had the backing of the aristocratic elite and much of the middle class, who were becoming uneasy with the cult of personality growing around Thaksin. That set the stage for an embittered power struggle, between Thaksin loyalists and those loyal to the army, aristocracy and their traditional Democrat Party.
So who is Thaksin?
Visionary leader or venal despot: Opinions vary, like the color of the shirts his supporters and detractors wear. If you sport red, you think Thaksin was the only prime minister to offer the rural poor a voice and real benefits; if you wear yellow, you view him as akin to Ferdinand Marcos: greedy, self-serving and dangerous.
What is not in dispute is that he won two elections, was the only Thai prime minister to serve a full-term in office and is still hugely popular. But critics say he bought his support and was only in politics to help himself.
As a businessman, Thaksin made billions of dollars from his communications company Shin Corporation. In 2008 he was found guilty and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for a land deal that enabled his wife to buy a valuable city plot for a fraction of its true value and he faces other corruption charges. More than $2 billion in Thaksin's family assets are currently frozen in Thailand but there is speculation he has a great deal more money elsewhere.
What are the wider implications of the protests?
If the divisions in Thailand can't be healed it could lead to a deteriorating security situation which would have wider implications for the region. Thailand's relations with Cambodia are especially frosty since Thaksin was appointed economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The worst case scenario would see Cambodia drawn into the dispute, with Thaksin using the country as a political base, adding to the already considerable tensions on the border.
Is Thailand safe for visitors?
Many western embassies have shut their doors and are warning their citizens against travel to Bangkok as violence in the city continues. "Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, including gunfire near the U.S. Embassy, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other incidents throughout Thailand, U.S. citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," the U.S. State Department has warned.
As well as advising against travel to Bangkok, the UK Foreign Office warned of protests and violent incidents in popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ayutthaya. But Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal it said.
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Remember, only people in BANGKOK dislike Thaksin. BUT, Bangkok is not THAILAND.
But these rich elites and upper middle class always forget or never knew what it is like to be poor. Same as SINGAPORE ELITES.
Explainer: Thailand's political crisis
<script type="text/javascript">if(location.hostname.indexOf( 'edition.' ) > -1) {document.write('May 17, 2010 -- Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT)');} else {document.write('May 17, 2010 8:07 a.m. EDT');}</script>May 17, 2010 -- Updated 1207 GMT (2007 HKT)
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<!--===========CAPTION==========-->Thai demonstrators use slingshots to launch stones against security forces during clashes in Bangkok on May 16, 2010.
<!--===========/CAPTION=========--><!-- /PURGE: /2010/WORLD/asiapcf/05/17/thailand.crisis.explainer/t1larg.catapult.afp.gi.jpg --> <!--endclickprintexclude--><!-- /REAP -->STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- <!-- google_ad_section_start -->
- Thaksin supporters say that he gave the rural poor a voice and real benefits
- Detractors say that as prime minister he was greedy, self-serving and dangerous
- Current premier Abhisit Vejjajiva keen to show no one is above the rule of law
- Current court case relates to shares transfer in Thaksin communications company<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
(CNN) -- Days of violent unrest in the Thai capital have left dozens dead and hundreds injured as security forces clash with anti-government protesters.
The latest victims include a key opposition leader, Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol -- a renegade general better known as Seh Daeng -- who died days after being critically wounded by a sniper's bullet.
But the current crisis follows a months-long standoff between Thai authorities and protesters opposed to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The protesters -- known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) -- support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, before he was ousted in a bloodless coup.
What is happening now?
The latest violence follows a government pledge to hold an election in November in an attempt to halt the protests. However, amid ongoing anger over a crackdown by security forces last month and a refusal by the protesters to comply with a deadline to vacate the district of Bangkok they have been occupying for weeks, authorities say the election date is now under threat.
Prime Minister Abhisit declared a state of emergency April 7, hours after anti-government demonstrators (known as "Red Shirts" for the clothes they wear) stormed the country's parliament.
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- <script type="text/javascript"> cnnRelatedTopicKeys.push('Thaksin_Shinawatra'); </script>Thaksin Shinawatra
- <script type="text/javascript"> cnnRelatedTopicKeys.push('Thailand'); </script>Thailand
<!--endclickprintexclude-->Three days later, the deadliest clash in more than a decade between protesters (in this case the Red Shirts) and the military erupted, leading to the deaths of more than two dozen demonstrators and military forces.
Violence erupted again last week when protesters once again ignored an ultimatum to end their occupation in downtown Bangkok by Wednesday. Seh Daeng's subsequent shooting by an unknown assailant raised tensions further and at least 35 people have been killed and 240 wounded in the latest wave of unrest. The government has imposed a state of emergency in 22 provinces and metropolitan Bangkok.
What happens next?
Authorities have urged protesters to evacuate the protest area by Monday afternoon or face up to two years in prison for violating the order. But around 5,000 protesters remained on the streets in defiance of the authorities.
On Sunday protest leaders offered to resume talks with the government in U.N.-mediated negotiations if security forces were withdrawn from the streets. But the government has not accepted the offer. A senior official told CNN that authorities were under pressure to be more decisive in taking action to end the protests and claimed the government had been showing patience and restraint.
Media and analysts in Thailand say civil war may be looming, between the Red Shirts and the so-called "multi-colored shirts" (who support Abhisit). They are displeased with the disruption caused by the protests. They are generally middle-class city dwellers. They are not pro- or anti-government, they simply want the government to shut down the Reds to end the violence and interruptions to daily life. The red and multi-colored shirts have clashed in Silom Road, Bangkok's business and financial district.
How will Seh Daeng's death affect the protest movement?
CNN's Sara Sidner said it was unclear what the immediate impact of Seh Daeng's death would be. "Not all the protesters followed him as some thought he was too much of a hardliner," Sidner said. Some protesters argue that the Red Shirt movement should negotiate with the government to reach a settlement. But militant armed factions loyal to Seh Daeng and known as "Black Shirts" reject negotiation and appear ready to use violence to achieve their goals.
Haven't these protests been going on for a long time?
Yes, Thailand has been embroiled in political chaos for years and many here are growing weary with the instability. Ever since Thaksin came to power, there have been protesters opposing his allegedly corrupt and autocratic rule. Those protesters donned yellow shirts (the color of the king) and occupied the two main airports in Bangkok, until finally the pro-Thaksin government was brought down by a court ruling. In revenge Thaksin's supporters copied the yellow shirt tactics and took to the streets in red shirts.
Why do the sides divide on colors?
It's an easy way for them to create an identity. It all started with the Yellow Shirts wearing a color associated with Monday, the day of the week that Thailand's revered king was born on. That was designed to show their allegiance to the king, and more broadly the traditional elite which has dominated Thai politics for years. Thaksin's supporters then picked a color to distinguish themselves from the Yellow Shirts.
Why are they arguing?
Essentially this is a classic power struggle. It's easy to portray this as simply rich against poor, but it is much more complicated than that, as illustrated by the fact that the Reds' leader is in fact a multi-billionaire. Thaksin rode to power by enacting populist policies which gained huge support from the rural poor. His radical approach ruffled a lot of feathers among the elite, who felt he was in danger of becoming too big for his boots, and could erode their position.
The "civil society" also become concerned over allegations of corruption and his brutal war on drugs, which saw summary executions. He was also criticized for his heavy handed response to violence in the Muslim-dominated south.
Finally the army decided to oust him in a coup, which had the backing of the aristocratic elite and much of the middle class, who were becoming uneasy with the cult of personality growing around Thaksin. That set the stage for an embittered power struggle, between Thaksin loyalists and those loyal to the army, aristocracy and their traditional Democrat Party.
So who is Thaksin?
Visionary leader or venal despot: Opinions vary, like the color of the shirts his supporters and detractors wear. If you sport red, you think Thaksin was the only prime minister to offer the rural poor a voice and real benefits; if you wear yellow, you view him as akin to Ferdinand Marcos: greedy, self-serving and dangerous.
What is not in dispute is that he won two elections, was the only Thai prime minister to serve a full-term in office and is still hugely popular. But critics say he bought his support and was only in politics to help himself.
As a businessman, Thaksin made billions of dollars from his communications company Shin Corporation. In 2008 he was found guilty and sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for a land deal that enabled his wife to buy a valuable city plot for a fraction of its true value and he faces other corruption charges. More than $2 billion in Thaksin's family assets are currently frozen in Thailand but there is speculation he has a great deal more money elsewhere.
What are the wider implications of the protests?
If the divisions in Thailand can't be healed it could lead to a deteriorating security situation which would have wider implications for the region. Thailand's relations with Cambodia are especially frosty since Thaksin was appointed economic adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. The worst case scenario would see Cambodia drawn into the dispute, with Thaksin using the country as a political base, adding to the already considerable tensions on the border.
Is Thailand safe for visitors?
Many western embassies have shut their doors and are warning their citizens against travel to Bangkok as violence in the city continues. "Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, including gunfire near the U.S. Embassy, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other incidents throughout Thailand, U.S. citizens should defer all travel to Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand," the U.S. State Department has warned.
As well as advising against travel to Bangkok, the UK Foreign Office warned of protests and violent incidents in popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ayutthaya. But Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal it said.
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Re: BANGKOK: More than 100K at 9pm. Many More Coming. JAMS 50km Long. ArbiSHIT SHITTI
Very long road so not sure which stretch you are talking about but I think its best to avoid the area if your office is close to Huai Khwang MRT station. My colleague was at our Bangkok Office on Friday. Our office is on Ratchadaphisek Road(at the Swissotel Le Concorde) right next to the station.
The boss of the Bangkok office informed him that the protestors/army had move to within a kilometre away from the building so they cancelled all meetings at the office which was supposed to take place this week and got everyone to travel to the SG office instead.
Very long road so not sure which stretch you are talking about but I think its best to avoid the area if your office is close to Huai Khwang MRT station. My colleague was at our Bangkok Office on Friday. Our office is on Ratchadaphisek Road(at the Swissotel Le Concorde) right next to the station.
The boss of the Bangkok office informed him that the protestors/army had move to within a kilometre away from the building so they cancelled all meetings at the office which was supposed to take place this week and got everyone to travel to the SG office instead.
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