Violence rocks part of Bangkok over the week end

BANGKOK- Four deads and 57 people wounded according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Erawan Centre; a bus put in fire and students being trapped at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok northeast, while occupation of administration offices as well as some tv stations extended to new areas, the week end has been very stormy in the Thai capital.

As protesters tried to seize the Government’s House in Dusit district –where Vinmanmek Mansion is located-, the Thai police defended the Government’s compound by firing tear gas and using water cannons at protesters.

The government deployed more than 21,000 police and about 1,000 soldiers to protect 10 government installations from illegal occupation.

Tear gases were also fired at protesters in front of the Metropolitan Police headquarters. While violent incidents with deads occurred mostly in Northeast Bangkok, around Ramkhamhaeng University, tourists visiting Bangkok suffered only minor inconveniences such as closed department stores in the Rachaprasong area – where Bangkok’s most popular shopping centres are located- or giant traffic jams as protesters blocked streets.

Rallies are conducted by a rather dubious personality, ex Foreign Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. The man dreams with his movement “People's Democratic Reform Committee” to take Thailand back to an absolute monarchy and at the same time to limit civic liberties? The ralliers are aiming to destitute the government of current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and to definitely put a term to the influence of billionaire ex Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Meeting on Sunday night, the Prime Minister, Mr. Thaugsuban gave her a 48-hour ultimatum to resign!

Except that his strong stance and call for civil disobedience is suddenly plunging Bangkok into a spate of violence and into chaos. Close to 25 countries have issued warnings asking their citizens to avoid going to Bangkok. Embassies sent messages on Sunday to ask people not to go out without a sufficient reason. Late Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok asked Bangkok inhabitants and visitors to avoid going out from 10pm on Sunday night to 5am for safety reasons. Tensions are to remain at least until Tuesday evening as Mr. Thaugsuban instructed state officials throughout the nation to stop working from today in a campaign to oust Yingluck's government and to "uproot the Thaksin regime". General strike is effective today and should be largely followed.

Confrontation should however stop- at least temporarily- before December 5th, on the Birthday date of the revered Thai King. But this could only be a breakaway and a military coup could be the only way to provide a temporary solution to the Kingdom’s turbulent history. Thailand has experienced since 1932 some 18 actual or attempted coups, the last one taking place in 2006.

The crisis has already consequences on tourism with many hotels experiencing a sharp constraction in demand as people feel again unsafe in Thailand. Krabi reported a drop by its total arrivals.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews