Nov 27, 2008First of all, don't believe everything you hear or see. I am surprised at the biased coverage on BBC and CNN, showing the anti-govt PAD protesters in the worst possible light. The scene inside the airport is calm and stable. Pro-govt anti-protesters are getting impatient and angry at the stalement and the impact on the rest of the country. [More photos]
This is a very sad time for Thai people and for their economy. They are a peaceful people and this kind of aggression of Thai against Thai is very disturbing to them. Many people believe that ". . . it is becoming clearer that the powers that be, the ones with uniforms/tanks/guns don't really wish to stop this." Many locals are actually worried about a civil war. A coup is certainly a possibility but not sure this would be bloodless like the last one was in 2006. Every day it is predicted that the PM "will resign within 24 hrs."
Please be assured that this is is an internal political issue targeting Thai nationals and not foreigners.
Has this damaged Thailand's reputation? Yes absolutely. It's not just about tourists and tourism. It's about Thailand being able to act on a global level, politically and economically.
Former PM Thaksin was overthrown with the tacit approval of the beloved King in a military coup 2 years ago. A new govt was "elected" but the PAD believed winning votes were bought; the next PM Samak was considered a puppet of Thaksin who has been keeping things stirred up ever since he left and considered by most to still be running the country from outside. He has been found guilty of corruption and sentenced to two years in absentia. Samak had to go and was finally ousted earlier this year on a silly but true charge of illegally taking money for hosting a cooking show.
The current PM, Somchai, is Thaksin's rather ineffectual brother-in-law. [He looks like a Thai Wally Cox.] It is with the intent of forcing Somchai out that the PAD protesters took over the airport Tuesday night - Somchai was due to arrive Wednesday returning from APEC in Peru. He landed in Chiang Mai instead where he still is. ToWhen and where he does land, he will probably be meeting with General Anupong - the military who are caught in the middle and reluctant to use force either to end the airport blockade or remove the current government.
The weakened PM Somchai is still in Chiang Mai, afraid to return to BKK. In the Sunday papers, there was a story titled "PM Teed Off" and I thought to myself, "Well, that's about the extent of his reaction." Then I read the story? He went golfing Sunday.
There is no danger here but I am glad I do not have to deal with traveling at the moment and Jim isn't due to be BKK for 3-4 weeks and is creative enough to find a way here without flying into BKK.
Here's a link to some photos of the PAD at the airport.
