Comments on: Departure lounges are full - but hotel rooms emptying

By: Thai

Thai — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:33:52 +0000

Today is our King's birthday, who is our "SOUL OF THE NATION" I believe on this and his power will help Thailand becomes "a land of smile" again.

I hope to who are not loyalty to the King will change their mind and remember on:
1. Who save our country from a big country
2. Who did order the rain even not the rains reason
3. Who did change a dry land to be a green rice farm
4. Who reunite Thai People together
5. Who initiates sufficient economy
6. Who initiates alternative energy
7. Who always cares for all his people even though they are in rural area
8. Who is the longest reigning monarch in the world
9. Who is beloved & respected by Thai people
10. Who woking hard for this people and never ask any return
11. Who is very unhealthy but still alway working
12. who has a sense of humour and makes the normal people like us smile and laugh.
13. who you can touch and never mind to touch you.
14. who helps our poor people.
15. who is leading us to be a good person
16. who dedicates his work for his people
17. Who give a freedom to our country

WHO....????????

By: Mekhong Kurt

Mekhong Kurt — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:19:05 +0000

There are many cogent comments here from all sides of the various issues in these comments, a fact to which I can attest as someone who has been a resident foreigner in Bangkok for 14-1/2 years, and a keen observer of the local political scene (if an armchair one).

One contributor did say something I would like to enlarge on; that person's assertion was entirely anti-Thailand on the basis of the local triads (as mafia clans are called here), general corruption, etc. - without giving a single syllable credit to the fact there are indeed many honest, hard-working Thais. I have numerous Thai friends, and no, very few are from the upper classes, hi-so ranks, etc. The majority come from the poorer classes. And they are, for the most part, honest (entirely so, among my friends; otherwise they wouldn't be on my friends list).

I don't dispute there is a lot of triad-run prostitution (with official connivance, by the way), double-pricing (charging a foreigner way more for, say, entrance into a national park or a hotel room than a Thai pays), scams of various types (computer software, music and movie CD's and DVD's, and all sorts of clothing - well, every conceivable consumer good).

But not *all* beautiful Thai ladies are prostitutes, nor does *every* attraction double-prices, and not *all* consumer products are counterfeits.

As for the current mess, which is in a lull since the anti-government protestors have gone home, I don't look for it to end anytime soon. Likely whoever is named the next Prime Minister, even a merely interim one, is almost certain to be seen as yet another proxy for the deposed-by-coup and now fugitive PM, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Which is a shame, a shame for the Kingdom and her people, and a shame for foreigners who love the country but now are afraid to visit.

One last comment, regarding fear. Not *once* in any of the various episodes over my years here - not just this latest, protracted one - has my life nor my friends' lives been impacted at all, with one minor exception when a friend driving in the countryside was stopped at a military checkpoint - by extremely polite and apologetic soldiers, who quickly let him pass. The larger point is, short of wading right into the middle of some protest, which could prove to be terminally stupid, there's little reason to fear going most places.

By: Nong Ying

Nong Ying — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:49:25 +0000

PAD is acting like hoodlums. They also insulted the Thais who are out in the country as being uneducated and ignorant of how to vote. PAD is not respectful of the democractic system. They should be asham of themelves. GO HOME and apologize to their housekeepers and their servants who are all from up-country and uneducated.

By: Grace M

Grace M — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:27:13 +0000

As both sides have faults, I think the airport situation is the worst political action ever taken in history. Thailand is heavily dependent on their tourist industry. These protest are mostly just an anti-Thaksin rally in the pretense that they are fighting for democracy.

I don't think it was worth it, despite the fact that the governnent has been dissolved again. There will be less and less visitors and I believe it will take a couple of years for the country to recover from this blow.

As many tourist-related sites must eventually down-size or shut down, more and more people would be laid off.

I only hope that non-Thais can look at Thailand as oppurtunity for a great deal this Christmas. I don't think the PADs would be foolish enough to pull another economy-crippling act anytime soon, so I think the airports are safe for now. Tourist attractions and luxury hotels will most likely be giving out cheap deals to invite tourists back.

In all honesty, more than half the country is fairly neutral about the power-struggle. These people just want peace and stability back. Let's all hope that demonstrators from both sides will realize just how much they're affecting the country right now and seek to find a compromise to save it from economic disaster.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:46:39 +0000

Jane, for what it's worth, I'm married to a Thai and have property in the country and have always thought that Thailand and Thai people are marvellous. The last time something similar happened was back in 1992 and I was one of the first back into the country after that blew over, however, it's rather different this time.

I was supposed to be going home to Thailand in a few days for a visit and to meet friends who would have been seeing my wife for the first time in 12 years. They have, on our advice, changed their plans and I have done likewise. I'm sorry to say it but it's not a done deal there yet. There is a power vacuum that could drag on for a very long time. I wouldn't worry too much with regard to safety, Thais are very tolerant of foreigners, however you could fly in and it may all flare up again and you would find yourself stranded.

Having travelled in and around Asia for 25 years, age has taught me to be more prudent than I was even 16 years ago. Despite wanting to support my family and the country, I for one will be waiting a while longer before I go home to see my loved one's who are thankfully safe and well away from Bangkok where they can get on with their lives.

By: Por Yai

Por Yai — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:20:45 +0000

Well, PAD is claiming victory. It is not theirs to claim. The courts worked in a democratic and constitutional way and affected this result. Not PAD. Unfortunately, to many people think they are heroes. They are not. This entire charade was unnecessary, death, dismemberment, et al.. destruction of property, as well as scarring permanently the face of Thailand to the world. PAD wants to revoke voting rights. Is that Democratic? No it is not. They seek the old elitism, causing a further rift between the haves, and the have nots. And now their hired guns, and their hired sheep will go back to the provinces convinced that their 300 baht a day blood money was worth it. Look how far we've come... mob rule, emboldened by hollow claim of victory. Very sad indeed.

By: david lulasa

david lulasa — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:20:31 +0000

Thailands paddy fields havent burnt down "".thais wouldnt be put down afterall when theres alot of paddy.they got something to drive them,not like zimbabweans who cant afford such a thing when they have been totally made hungry by the first world.
sometimes i think the west is more of hypocritical than i been thinking.because they adore tsvangirai,dont they know that even tsvangirais fans are suffering due to the sanctions..its only tsvangirais and mugabes bellies that are paddy filled to drive them

uthiru/tambua,hamisi,kenya

By: jacko

jacko — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:24:06 +0000

i hope all this ends in the next wk as me & me mates fly out there on the 14th for a month!!

By: Sue

Sue — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:00:14 +0000

We would be back there in an instant if work permitted, we love Thailand and have many thai friends there, especially in Phuket. My family survived the tsunami and next trip will be number 28. Will be back and continue to go back. It will be so detrimental to the thai's if we don't all go back, even if a small minority have ruined things for the time being.

By: J.P.

J.P. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:24:02 +0000

And now, everybody suffering any kind of losses, whatever it may be, just file lawsuits against: The Royal Thai Government, for not ensuring that public facilities i.e. the airports operate as they should, the AOT (Airports Organisation of Thailand) for not taking any action to keep the airport open, Mr. Somchai Wongasawat, the ex Prime Minister for not taking any appropriate action whatever it might have been to enable travelers and business people to minimalise their losses; The Royal Thai Police, The Royal Thai Army, including Gen. Anupong Paochinda, the CiC.
Mr. Sondhi Limthongkul, the master mind of the yellow shirts protest and Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, the main supporter and organiser of the PAD.
Best if such courts would be filed by US citizens in US courts, and motion for injunction of Thai Assets in the US and elsewhere would be made.
Of course lawsuits, for people living and residing in Thailand and for Thai citizens could be made in Thailand, at the criminal courts for all subject to a criminal act and subsequent damages in civil courts.