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Chase

posts: 181

Apr 12, 2009 03:10 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 960

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Bangkok is now in a state of emergency. Here are a few pictures right from where the action is... If you haven't heard, the ASEAN summit was canceled because of the same group of people, labeled 'Red Shirts'. The situation is somewhat complicated and these protestors are actually againts the group of protesters, labeled 'Yellow Shirts', that closed down the International Airport last year during Thanksgiving.

It's Songkarn, April 13, considered the 'New Years' and water festival for Thailand. For the past 6 years, I've been spending Songkarn where it's happening, right on Kao San road. This year is sadly the first year I'm not getting soaked at the ultimate Water Festival.

Then again, it's the beginning of party week here, something has to be happening somewhere.

Carmen

posts: 221

Apr 12, 2009 03:22 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 961

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Mm, I've been following this on the BBC, although the Twitter status updates from Thailand are a much faster source. I'm not familiar with Thai laws, but I believe any gathering, friendly or not, of over 5 people will be arrested? Perhaps you might consider holding off your "partying" until things are quiet?

Is the Thai PM on live TV at the moment?

Chase

posts: 181

Apr 12, 2009 03:38 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 962

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PM was on live, yeah. Army useless... time for another beer. Heh heh, it's Songkarn, and this is Thailand, somebody's partying... somewhere.

Carmen

posts: 221

Apr 12, 2009 03:55 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 963

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The ASEAN Summit is just as important to that region as G-20. It's rather embarrassing for the country, but such an army of people cannot simply be "bought" unless there is already conflict to be exploited.

Chase

posts: 181

Apr 12, 2009 04:07 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 964

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I'm not as keen on politics... I draw the line at bureaucracy on a national scale. Thailand is a little like France, so they say.

Small update, the State of Emergency is now in full effect for Bangkok and surrounding areas. Doesn't seem very effective, protesters were sharing food with the riot control officers a few hours ago.

And, yeah, happy Easter.

Carmen

posts: 221

Apr 12, 2009 06:26 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 965

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Mm. Happy Easter.

DetectiveAwesome

posts: 142

Apr 12, 2009 07:08 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 966

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Yikes! I hope everything stays safe on your end CJ

On another note, good choice of pictures. The guy pointing to the tank (first picture) looks pretty casual, like he's saying "You can't park here, try the corner."

Scarlet

posts: 93

Apr 04, 2010 08:14 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 2368

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Almost a year on, Bangkok is right back where it was...

Nevon

posts: 261

Apr 04, 2010 21:13 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 2369

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My friend said things in Bangkok are never in a hurry, looks like they're right! How many protests so far in the past few years?

Chase

posts: 181

Apr 05, 2010 07:12 QuotePermalink - Post ID: 2373

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This thing is deep-rooted. It's been happening, apparently, since the 1970s -- maybe even before. Probably won't 'end' any time soon.

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