Keep a watch on the current political situation

[Khun Don]

Not so much a warning right now, but a "heads up". Emotions are running high both in and outside Parliament at the Reconciliation Bill currently upp for debate. there have been scuffles amongst MP's, the Speaker has been threatened and both Yellow & Red shirts holding street rallys/protests-the latter accusing the Democrats (supported by the Yellow shirts) of trying to orchestrate another coup. Whether this is true or not MAY not prevent some problems on the streets between the two groups.
Nothing to be worried about right now. No need to cancel planned visits. If in Bangkok, just be aware of what is going on around you, stay away from the parliament area, avoid large crowds of red or yellow shirted people.

Full news coverage here on this site at:

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/show...3#post252473#1

Background info: UK newspaper

[daveaus]

Thanks for the heads up, is it safe to assume another Suvarnabhumi take over is unlikely? I am in and out of there a number of times in August.

[Khun Don]

Everything is calm at the moment-but keep an eye on things prior to your departure(s) Suvarnabhumi occupation is very unlikely-Thai government/Military will never let that happen again so easily following the great shame to the country and damage to the tourist industry the last time it was allowed to happen.

[TomUK]

Reading the message in the first post of this thread is like deja vu all over again. Every time I go to Thailand something seems to go wrong. First the tsunami, then the military coup followed by civil unrest, the seizure of the airport, and flooding of the country - all interspersed with bird flu and swine flu scares. I am really dreading to think what might happen during my next visit.

TomUK

[Khun Don]

Tom-at least your visits are never boring! .
Last time I was able to go was in the middle of Thaksin's Drug War. Road blocks and searches everywhere in the North.Daily reports of arrests and shoot-outs-even heard gunshots on one occasion when out in the sticks! However, if the Police saw a van full of white tourists they would just wave it on-perfect opportunity for a driver to transport Yaba from place to place, I thought at the time!

[Curt]

Road blocks are still, and are always, part of Thai life. Usually, they just fleece truckers and motorcycle riders for beer money.

The current government had announced they were going to get tough on drugs. But, the political rhetoric went into full swing and they don't have time for it now!