Some relief for Bangkok after the election…

BANGKOK- Every side claims victory over its opponent. Anti-government protest forces exhult by telling that they succeeded to derail the last election, while the pro-government forces jubilated as the election could still be held. Results however will take long before anything concrete comes out and the political situation remains confused albeit it is less tensed than last week.

On Monday morning, the anti-protesters decided to terminate their rally at both Lat Phrao and at the Victory Monument, fearing for the safety of their members. Some violent action took place in those areas in the last weeks. But probably also there is a sense that rallying all over Bangkok is not brining any real change. The supporters of Suthep Thaugsuban after three months are probably coming back to their “Stage 1” strategy: occupying areas where the government operates.

Bangkok is likely to come back to a more normal situation with less traffic jam on its roads. However, visitors should still remain on alert as violence is able to flare rapidly.

More worrying is that a large part of Thailand’s administration is still paralyzed. Anti-protesters continue to prohibit public servants to come into their working places. Most of the public servants relocated in temporary offices but work is very slow. Getting a passport, getting a working permit, getting approval for a project - if any investor still dares for now to invest in the country!- are going extremely slow as personal lacks facilities.

There is also little to move now in terms of new initiatives. This will weight on tourism as no decision is likely to be taken. The same story goes for the big projects such as the construction of new train lines or the approval of new infrastructures. All is again blocked as nobody will dare to take a decision as long as the Kingdom is run by a “care-taking” government. Bangkok is more peaceful for sure. But the country’s dynamic has been also reduced to silence. One question is on all minds… For how long?

Sourced: TravelDailyNews