Well, seems that the new police chief doesn’t waste time. The old one was sacked what, 16 hours ago or so?
About that, yes. But I can’t find any further info on the local newspaper websites or CNN, and BBC TV is busy now with the anti-terrorist operation in India. So it’s unclear what’s actually happening.
Still no further word on any operation, and I’m wondering if the BBC may have been mistaken.
It does seem, however, that the “heavily pregnant” wife of the England Rugby League captain is stuck in one of the airports along with their four-year-old son. See here.
EDIT: Stupid newspaper. I see now they’re NOT in the airport, but rather in a hotel. Sorry if she goes into labor here, but there are some excellent hospitals in Bangkok. No worries.
Last night the bozos in supposed power where saying that they would open talks to negotiate the exit of the PADholes (like it? just made it up :dubious: )
I guess the negotiations went something like this.
Police: Do you feel lucky today, punk?
PAD: Nyah nyah!
Police: Charge!
With the declared state of emergency I don’t expect the government to say anything at all. But I hope there won’t be another carnage like in October, those PAD idiots act like they are all in a merry picnic at the airport and many took their kids with them while a PAD leader was reported as saying that they would use human shields if the police came in. No more details about that but it’s a pretty FUBARed state of affairs.
Yes, it is. As I’ve said before, there are no good guys in this fight. It’s Bad Guy versus Bad Guy. It could be worthwhile letting the red shirts and the yellow shirts have at it, thus eliminating each other.
Or, er, so a cynical person might say. 
By any accounts the police doesn’t seem to be up to the task.
I mean, they have guns, water canons and tear gas while the PAD has sticks. Totally unfair for the police; they didn’t have a chance.
PAD driving away police at Suvarnabhumi
Since the army is tacitly supporting them I don’t see what other recourse would be if the police can’t find their collective balls.
Some of the PAD, especially the “guards,” do seem to be heavily armed. They’ve been shooting opponents confronting them in other locations.
But looking at your link, all I can say is what pussies the police be. They seem tough enough when they’re murdering businessmen on orders of local bigwigs who are business rivals.
Just heard an update on BBC TV saying largely the same as the Bangkok Post link of Ale’s. They said the police “bungled” it, using that word. An operation did begin to prevent more PAD supporters from joining the ones already there, but a “large number of the more hardened PAD activists” converged on the police from the airport and scared them away. :rolleyes:
I have to sign off now and rest my arm. If anything significant develops, I’ll pop back in.
It’s the evening of Saturday, November 29th, and hubby and I are still stuck in Japan. Our United flight tomorrow was canceled-- as we expected. Fortunately we’re in a good (and inexpensive) hotel, and have been taking the time to go around and see some of the more random historical sites in the Yokohama area, so we’re doing fine. The only frustration is that my work computer is back in Bangkok, so I can’t catch up on things as I would like to. We have also been tempted by the idea of suing the PAD for the hotel costs and such…think it’ll work? 
Our plan right now is to fly on to the US: we were scheduled to go there on December 4th anyway, as we are doing some R&R there over the holidays. Fortunately United has been very helpful, agreeing to let us start our US trip from here instead of going back to Bangkok, and also offering to adjust our flight dates as needed so we can go home early. If the airport isn’t clear by December 29th, I’m not sure I want to go back!
Kayeby, I do hope you can get out soon…Bangkok is indeed a fun city, but after a certain point on vacation I just want to go HOME! Sam, hope your shoulder feels better soon.
Oh, and that Bruce Willis thing was awesome. Just what I needed. Thanks!
Some pictures from the Suvarnabhumi airport
The stranded tourists clinging to their very last bahts will be rejoiced to know that the PAD are having a jolly good time there, playing badmington with the kids, having free food and A/C and all that.
But they are very sorry for any inconvinience so it’s OK.
Suing someone in Thailand. This is where there needs to be a smiley that laughs hysterically and rolls around on the floor.
BBC is saying there’s no chance the airports will be reopened before Monday. Prime Minister Somchai is cowering up in the North in Chiang Mai, fearing for his safety if he returns to Bangkok. Putz.
Here’s one: PAD guards captured a plainclothes policewoman and paraded her before the crowd. They let her go. Story here.
Sunday morning now, and we’re really breaking down here. Another grenade was launched inside the Government House compound shortly after midight, injuring 47. Two more explosions heard 20 minutes later at the anti-government ASTV television station. Then an explosion and gunfire about three hours ago at Don Mueang Airport. Story here. Seems to ghave been no one hurt at the latter two locations.
There’s speculation the PAD could start seizing seaports next if the airport seizures fail to topple the government. A BIG pro-government rally will be held today by the red shirts, who are threatening to kick the PAD’s butts themselves if the police and army are too afraid. Story here.
Here is a video interview with Thaksin that was being ridiculed in the Thai press ysterday, because in it he says those who violate the law must be prosecuted. This from a man on the lam from a prison sentence.
About mid-week, I’ll probably go make sure the live lesbian sex shows really are safe. Someone has to do it.
As has been said many times, firat by local American writer William Warren: “The gift of Bangkok is that it never bores.”
An interesting piece on the army chief here. (But I still think him a shlub.)
And 17 injured in another explosion last night, this time connected to those vendors in the slum market protesting having their rents raised. See here.
Siam Sam, my husband and I are pretty much doing whatever our insurance is paying for. At this stage we’d have to charter a taxi and pay for a separate flight out of our own pocket so we’re sitting tight. We did upgrade hotels because our old one was full from previous bookings, and we were sick of having to change rooms every night - we’re now at the Majestic Grande and were upgraded to an executive suite. I think we’re in a much better position than 99% of the stranded tourists!
Currently I’m in the MG’s fancy executive lounge and using the internet to pay some bills at home. Luckily the friend who is housesitting is willing to continue as long as is required.
Every morning I wake up to hear that there hasn’t been any change. Right now my husband and I are just chilling in the hotel, trying to rest up for what we’re sure will be an ordeal to get home. Our flight has been changed to December 4 (arriving December 5) which means he will miss an expensive Oracle course that his company paid for. Also we have a black tie function several hours after our anticipated return. Fun fun.
FlyingRat, I’ve heard that the Thai government is offering compensation of up to 2000 THB a day for stranded tourists and Thais abroad.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30089783
It might be worth checking out.
The (thai) missus and I were just discussing you all. Her mom and friend are actually down in New Zealand on holiday. Her mom is coming back here but her friend is going back into Thailand. Apparently they have connections and can fly back in.
Has anyone considered trying to arrange to fly via Koh Samui, Phuket, or even just get a train to Malaysia and get out via Singapore? When we lived in country she was always taking trains down to see family in Songkhla and Hat Yai.
Anyway, we were looking at our old apartment which was at Thana City, sort of in the Bang Phli area. Not sure what it’s like living there now, but given what looks like the new airport on Google Maps I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the residents organized the PAD just to get some rest. 'Course I might be reading the maps wrong.
Funny thing about the homes around the new airport. At least one community sprang up some time after plans were announced, then the residents expressed “shock” about the new airport and loudly demanded compensation. Just another scam, but they managed to draw the case out in court at large cost to the government before finally being told to bugger off.
No connections will enable anyone to fly into either one of Bangkok’s airports. It’s simply not happening. They’re shut down, period. Those people must be flying into an alternate international airport, such as Chiang Mai or Phuket. I’ve heard the buses and trains are pretty full of people trying to get to other airports now.
Meanwhile, more gunfire at Don Mueang airport last night. It looks like 88 aircraft stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport will be allowed to be flown elsewhere soon, empty of course. Otherwise, not much happening. The situation draws out. Interesting story here about the two sides involved. I know a Canadian who’s supposed to fly home for a visit Thursday, but no telling if he can. The wife and I have a domestic flight on the 30th, and we’re not even sure about that.
Lots of interesting reading popping up regarding the situation.
Info on the route to U-Tapao Airport from Bangkok is here. Good luck!
Thoughts on being one of the stranded are here.
The Economist’s take on it is here. Except I thought the PAD leaders were wanting to provoke a coup? Or is that the other side? Who knows anymore?
This from The Age in Australia.
And this from The Wall Street Journal. Includes a quote from Greg Lange, whose excellent Sunrise Tacos has seen me drinking his margaritas and eating his Mexican food in the hours briefly before dawn, at his lower Sukhumvit Road branches.