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Prepare to get wet -
Songkran weekend is here
Pattaya Beach Road
to be closed to traffic April 19
Don’t try this at home! It’s
best not to ride 4 to a motorcycle,
especially during Songkran and without wearing helmets.
With the national Songkran festivities all but finished,
expect an influx of tourists, both Thai and international, to “invade”
Pattaya this weekend as we celebrate our version of Songkran from April 18
to 20.
Police are issuing the usual warnings and Pol. Maj. Gen. Bandit Khunachak,
commander of Chonburi Province Police Dept. said that over 30 roadblocks
will be set up throughout Chonburi during the 3-day period to check for
drunken drivers. Police are also warning people to not use powder and high
powered water cannons (PVC pipes will be confiscated), refrain from throwing
ice water, and no public consumption of alcohol will be permitted.
Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon announced that Beach Road will be
closed on April 19 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., from the Dolphin Roundabout in
North Pattaya all the way to Walking Street.
Traffic will most likely once again come to a complete standstill on many
other roads in Pattaya and Jomtien. Police, along with Pattaya Mail
and most everyone in the city, are urging people to avoid unnecessary
travel, and if you do need to venture out, please use extreme caution,
especially if you travel by motorcycle.
Wear a helmet, too. There is no excuse not to. And by all means, do not
drive under the influence of intoxicants.
Plenty of activities are on the schedule, in addition to the “wan lai” or
water throwing, and the general mayhem that is both a local custom and a
tourist attraction.
The following is an outline of activities being held locally:
April 13-19
Traditional Koh Si Chang Songkran will be held in front of Koh Si Chang
District office and Wat Juthathisthamsapharam Worawiharn, Si Chang district.
Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring
water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water
splashing, Koh Si Chang traditional folk games such as Muay Tab Jak (blind
boxing), Pai Rue Ka Ta (pan boat competition) and many activities till
evening when the Kong Khao tradition (feeding the spirits) will be observed
and a Pong Lang music show will be performed.
April 16-17
The Kor Pra Sai tradition (Bang Sean Songkran Festival) will be held on Bang
Sean Beach.
Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring
water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water
splashing, sand art competition, folk tradition, concert and seafood booths.
April 18-19
Wan Lai Pattaya-Naklua (Naklua Songkran Festival (April 18) and Pattaya
Songkran Festival (April 19) throughout Naklua and Pattaya.
Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring
water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, in the
morning, a parade will take a Buddha statue and monks from the South Pattaya
intersection with Pattaya 2nd Road to the Dolphin roundabout for the public
to pay respect while enjoying the water festival activities.
April 19-21
Songkran Sri Maha Racha and Kong Khao Tradition (Sriracha Songkran
Festival), held in Sriracha municipality’s health park.
Activities: merit-making in the morning, pouring water on monks, pouring
water on the hands of revered elders and asking for their blessing, water
splashing, Songkran parade and festival, cultural shows such as Thai music,
Thai dance, Khon including traditional folk activities such as Muay Tab Jak
(blind boxing), oiled pole climbing competition, Takraw Lod Haung (rattan
ball competition), Kong Khao tradition and concert in evening.
April 20
Kong Khao Naklua (Naklua Songkran Festival), held at Larn Pho Public Park.
Activities: Kong Khao Tradition in the evening and fun activities all day,
such as bow and arrow competition, Takraw Lod Haung (rattan ball
competition), and Muay Talay (sea boxing).
Further information can attained by calling the Pattaya public relations
department on 038 410 200 ext. 191-2.
Marauding red shirts cancel ASEAN summit
Michael Casey
Pattaya (AP) - Prime Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency
in Pattaya the city hosting a summit of Asian leaders and canceled the event
for security reasons last Saturday after more than 1,000 anti-government
protesters stormed the venue.
The leaders were being evacuated by helicopter from the seaside city of
Pattaya to a nearby U-tapao military airport, a security official said on
condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
The red-shirted protesters, who were calling for the resignation of Prime
Abhisit Vejjajiva, smashed through the glass doors of the convention hall
and ran through the building, overturning tables, blowing horns, waving Thai
flags and screaming, “Abhisit get out!”
All the leaders were safe, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit
Charungvat. Nine leaders from Southeast Asian nations were in a nearby hotel
on the convention grounds at the time the protesters broke in.
“The meeting cannot go on. We have to consider the security of the leaders,”
government spokesman Supachai Jaisamuth said. “The situation is too violent
and it is a security concern for the leaders.”
The chaos dealt a major blow to Prime Minister Abhisit, who has been trying
to project an image of calm and normality since taking power in a
parliamentary vote four months ago after a court dissolved the previous
government for election fraud.
It also scuttles a chance for the 16 regional leaders, including those from
China, Japan and South Korea, to confer on ways to combat the global slump
that has battered Asia’s export-oriented economies. North Korea’s recent
rocket launch also was to be discussed at the weekend summit.
“We want to tell Abhisit that this meeting cannot go on,” protest leader
Arisman Pongreungrong said after leading the mob into the convention hall.
Prime Minister Abhisit, who has repeatedly refused to step down, went on
national television and declared a state of emergency in the area
surrounding the summit.
“I am using my power as the prime minister to declare a state of emergency
in the area of Pattaya and Chonburi,” he said. The decree was later lifted
when the red shirt mob returned to Bangkok.
The decree gave the military the right to restore order, allowing
authorities to suspend civil liberties, ban public gatherings of more than
five people and bars the media from reporting news that “causes panic.”
Earlier, organizers said all morning meetings at the summit had been delayed
after protesters blocked traffic around the hotels where delegates were
staying and amid clashes between anti- and pro-government groups. There were
unconfirmed reports of protesters carrying guns.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said two or three people were
injured in the clashes and that authorities were investigating reports of
shots fired and an explosion.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was scheduled to meet with the leaders of the
10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Saturday morning. That
was to be followed by meetings between ASEAN leaders and the president of
South Korea, and later with Japan’s prime minister.
A breakfast meeting of the foreign ministers from Japan, China and South
Korea was also canceled.
After the protesters broke into the convention hall, a reporter saw at least
three people with cuts from the glass and blood on the floor.
Protest leaders surrender after deadly clash, rioting ends
Protest leader Veera
Musikhapong, center with glasses, is escorted out of the protesting venue
after surrendering himself to Thai officials ending the nearly two weeks
anti-government protest in Bangkok. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Michael Casey (AP), TNA and Pattaya Mail staff
reporters
Leaders of demonstrations that plunged Bangkok into chaos Tuesday
called off their protests following rioting and clashes that left two dead
and more than 120 injured across Bangkok. Several were then taken into
police custody.
About 2,000 die-hard protesters abandoned their encampment around the seat
of government midday Tuesday, as combat troops ringed the demonstrators’
last stronghold making preparations for a crackdown.
Thailand’s Deputy Police Commissioner Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit announced
that four of the protest leaders had surrendered and would be interrogated.
They were seen taken away to nearby police headquarters.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said it was not clear if all the
protest leaders had turned themselves in.
“We have decided to call off the rally today because many brothers and
sisters have been hurt and killed,” said key protest leader Suporn Attawong.
“And we will not allow more deaths.”
Another top UDD leader, Veera Musikapong, told the Red Shirt activists
gathered at Government House to return home. He later surrendered to police
on Rajdamnoen Road near the UDD rally site at government house.
Jakrapob Penkair, still another protest leader, also said the movement,
which is demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and
new elections, “will continue fighting.” The leaders did not specify what
action they would take next.
“We have not achieved our goal of toppling the status quo and returning
power to the majority of the people. We have not achieved our goal of
returning the army to the barracks and stopping the ruling elite from
intervening in politics. Until that happens, many won’t be giving up,”
Jakrapob said.
The protesters flashed victory signs and shed tears as they walked away or
boarded buses provided by the military.
“I am devastated,” said Mara Wongsan, 45, from the north-eastern province of
Udon Thani. “I joined the rally a week ago because I want a better life. Now
I am going back to Isaan feeling so sad.”
Some protestors removed their red T-shirts for fear of attack. The city
authorities provided 60 buses to transfer protestors to interstate bus
stations.
Many Bangkok residents are angry with the protestors, many of whom came from
far outside the capital, for setting fire to buses and threatening to blow
up gas trucks near homes in the cause of a man many in the capital see as
corrupt.
Many Thais appeared stunned by the breakdown of law and order that
threatened when the security forces appeared unable or unwilling to restrain
the red-shirted protestors.
On Saturday, a group of them embarrassed Prime Minister Abhisit and the
military by invading a 16-nation ASEAN summit being hosted by Thailand at
the seaside resort city of Pattaya, causing it to be cancelled.
Prime Minister Abhisit told reporters he would not negotiate with Thaksin.
“We want peace,” he said Tuesday morning. “We want violence to stop. And
then we must work and talk to bring stability and happiness to the country.”
Thaksin has incited his supporters to “revolution” and “historical change”
in almost nightly addresses to the protestors via video link or phone from
exile abroad. He is a fugitive after being given a two-year prison sentence
for abuse of power.
The government announced it was adding two more days to the three-day Thai
New Year holiday, which began Monday, to ensure safety and repair damage
from the violence. Despite the turmoil, thousands of Thais, along with
foreign tourists, reveled through the night and doused each other with water
to usher in the New Year.
Earlier, army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd had said troops were ready
to move against the protesters, who had been encamped around Government
House since March 26, and Jatuporn had vowed that they would make their last
stand there.
Sansern said that by early Tuesday only 2,000 protesters remained around
Government House - the demonstrations had swelled to 100,000 last week. He
said the soldiers were relying on water cannons, tear gas and clubs and
using automatic weapons only when necessary to disperse crowds threatening
them.
By nightfall Monday, clashes that had gripped several parts of the city,
wounding 123 people, had ebbed. But as the demonstrators tried to make their
way back to their base around Government House, deadly fighting erupted
between them and residents.
Most of Bangkok’s newspapers, irrespective of their political leanings,
lashed out at the protesters with editorials describing them as “thugs” and
“urban terrorists.”
Prime Minister Abhisit praised the efforts of security forces, saying they
used “soft means” and “prevented as much damage as possible,” though ousted
former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - the man most protesters consider
their leader - accused the military of covering up the number of people
killed in the day’s battles.
Prime Minister Abhisit said the news that two people had been killed and 12
wounded in a gun battle between protesters and residents at Nang Lerng
market was “a regrettable incident.” But he said that “with the cooperation
of the public, I believe success (in restoring peace) is near.”
The red shirts accuse the country’s elite - the military, judiciary and
other unelected officials - of interfering in politics, and are seeking
Thaksin’s rehabilitation. Their numbers grew to 100,000 in Bangkok last
week.
Protesters stationed themselves at a half-dozen points in Bangkok during the
day on Monday, defying government-imposed state-of-emergency measures that
ban gatherings of more than five people.
Monday night’s fighting came as protesters moved back toward their base
outside the prime minister’s offices at Government House, where they have
been holding out since March 26. An estimated 5,000 protesters were gathered
there.
Hundreds of protesters and residents faced off outside the market, Police
Col. Rangsan Praditpon said, and hurled Molotov cocktails and shot at one
another. It was not clear who fired first.
Earlier Monday, protesters hijacked and torched public buses to block
several key intersections, set tires and vehicles on fire and sent two
unmanned buses, one of them burning, hurtling toward lines of soldiers.
They hurled a small explosive into the Army Headquarters compound, burning
an armored vehicle, and when a building in the Education Ministry compound
caught fire, they attempted to block approaching fire trucks.
In a confrontation near Victory Monument, a major traffic circle, a line of
troops in full battle gear fired volleys of M-16 fire over the heads of
protesters, and turned water cannons on the crowd.
The army spokesman said troops fired blanks into the crowds and live shots
overhead. The protesters said more than the officially reported number died
but Prime Minister Abhisit dismissed the assertion, saying “if there were …
many people killed, it would not have escaped the eye of the media.”
The government said the day’s clashes had killed two and wounded 123.
Arrest warrants out for Thaksin, 12 protest leaders
Thailand’s Criminal Court on Tuesday issued arrest
warrants for 13 core protest leaders of the United Front for Democracy
against Dictatorship (UDD), including exiled former prime minister Thaksin
Shinawatra, currently a fugitive.
Others facing arrest for inciting protests and riots across the country
during the last few days include Veera Musikapong, Weng Tojirakarn, Jatuporn
Prompun, Nattawut Saikuea, Suporn Attawong, Shinawat Haa-boonpard.
They were charged with illegal assembly by more than 10 people, threatening
acts of violence, disrupting traffic and inciting people to break law and
cause unrest.
Veera Musikapong turned himself in to Police Commissioner-General Pol. Gen.
Phatcharawat Wongsuwan who came to receive him near the rally site. Mr.
Nattawut and Mr. Weng also later reported to police.
Police are hunting for other leaders of the anti-government movement after
combat troops quashed violent demonstrations in Bangkok. Authorities were
checking airports in case some tried to flee the country, local television
stations said.
Pattaya hoteliers and business people hold peaceful rally
Asking red shirts to end violence
People from all walks of
life gather in front of city hall,
asking for the political violence to end.
In an effort towards ending political discord in the
country, groups from different sectors in Pattaya gathered in front of
city hall on Thursday, April 9, to call for a curb on political actions
that have hurt the country and the economy.
The peaceful rally, attended by Mayor Itthipol Khunplome and other
officials, took place for about an hour after the city gave its
permission to let the voices of the Pattaya Hotels Club, Pattaya
Business and Tourism Association, Thai Hotels Association Eastern
Chapter (THA-E) and other groups to be heard as they appealed for
harmony in putting an end to all political rallies that are sending a
negative image to the world through the media.
The rally lasted for an hour and was attended by thousands of
participants from all walks of life.
April 10-12, 2009 Pattaya City was excited about receiving the great
honor of hosting the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits that
attracted worldwide attention, as Asia’s heads of states convened to
discuss major issues affecting the region, with focus on the global
economic crisis.
Unfortunately, the events that began on April 7 and ended with riots in
Pattaya and subsequent state of emergency being declared, culminated in
the summit being cancelled (as reported on front page).
Police chief moved
after PM car attack
Red shirt protesters storm
Pattaya police station, demanding the release of Wanchalerm Kulasen, accused
of smashing the window of PM Abhisit’s vehicle in Pattaya. Police gave in,
which in part led to the temporary transfer of Pol. Col. Sarayut
Sanguanpokai.
Boonlua Chatree
Superintendent at the Pattaya Police Station, Pol. Col. Sarayut
Sanguanpokai, has been transferred for 30 days in a police disciplinary
measure after red shirt thugs attacked and damaged the prime minister’s
vehicle during his recent visit to attend a cabinet meeting in Pattaya.
Pol. Col. Theerapol Jindaluang, deputy commander in chief of the Provincial
Police in Region 2, will be acting superintendent of the station during that
period.
Police had detained Wanchalerm Kulasen and charged him with the attack
before releasing him back to red shirt members remaining around the station,
waiting to pick him up.
As a result of the violence, Pol. Lt-Gen. Atsawin Narongpan, commander in
chief of the Provincial Police in Region 2, ordered Pol. Maj-Gen. Niwat
Rattanathamawat, deputy commander in chief of the Provincial Police in
Region 2, to press criminal charges against the wrongdoer and to set up a
team of investigators to study the event.
Pol. Lt-Gen. Atsawin said that the act of violence by the red shirts
impacted on security operations for the ASEAN summit scheduled for April
10-12 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort.
He said that the superintendent’s transfer was a disciplinary measure
against all Pattaya Police Station officers for the lapse in security and
not being able to protect the prime minister.
Red shirts pressure Pattaya police to free attacker of PM’s motorcade
Red shirts cheer as Wanchalerm
is released from police custody.
Staff reporters
Following the attack and attempted assault on Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva on the afternoon of April 9, Pattaya police arrested Wanchalerm
Kunsen on suspicion of being the person who used his crash helmet to smash
the rear window of the PM’s car.
On hearing of the arrest of one of their supporters, almost 1000 ‘red
shirts’ in 12 buses gathered in front of the Pattaya police station
demanding his release.
The presence of the buses and demonstrators caused traffic on Beach Road to
come to standstill causing immense inconvenience to the city’s residents.
The ‘red shirts’ sent in representatives to negotiate with Pol. Col. Sarayud
Sanguanpokai, chief of Pattaya police for the release of the perpetrator.
The chief informed the intruders that he wanted to interrogate the suspect
before making his decision on the matter.
Tensions rose as the red shirts became impatient and stormed the second
floor of the police station where Wanchalerm was being held. Under immense
pressure and threat of violence, police relented and released the prisoner.
Before leaving, Wanchalerm acknowledged two charges against him, assault and
causing physical injury to others, and destruction of property.
The cheering ‘red shirts’ escorted Wanchalerm out of the police station
where they boarded a bus heading for Bangkok to join the main core of
demonstrations against the government.
Som tam vendor takes toothy revenge
Boonlua Chatree
A som tam vendor bit her husband’s penis because he had an affair
with her married sister and another woman.
At 11 a.m. on April 8 Pol. Lt-Col. Tanakrit Lapitthisan from the Pattaya
Police Station was called to investigate the attack at the Chit Anong leased
rooms on Sukhumvit Road in South Pattaya.
 Oddly,
Nakhon Asachao (right) is smiling in hospital after his wife Maneewan (left)
tried to turn him into a eunuch using her teeth.
The injured man was identified as Nakhon Asachao, 31, from Roi Et. Police
arrested his wife Maneewan Luepok, 31, at the scene.
The man was taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment where he received
seven stitches to his penis. Doctors said he needed to remain in care at
least 14 days to guard against possible infection.
Police said Maneewan was angry because her husband had an affair with her
sister, who was married and lived at the same location, and sex with another
girl.
Before the incident, her husband asked her to have sex with him. She had
already hidden a three-baht cutter at the top of the bed and planned to use
it when she had the opportunity. But Nakhon discovered this cutter and threw
it away.
While having sex, her husband asked her to perform oral sex on him which was
an opportunity too good to miss for her to bite him where it mattered most.
According to police, Maneewan said she intended to tear off Nakhon’s penis
so that he could not have sex anymore, and would instead pay attention to
work and clear 60,000 baht worth of debts before finishing their
relationship if he chose.
Police bust brothel
Boonlua Chatree
Pattaya Immigration police raided an alleged brothel on Pratamnak
Road and were surprised to find it was run by a Briton and staffed with 29
Thai prostitutes. All involved were arrested in the operation.
The foreign owner was identified as Raymond Harry Rose, 57, a Briton who was
charged with running an establishment for prostitution. Nucharin Prompol, 36
of Sakolnakhorn, was charged with organizing prostitution.
At 1 a.m. on April 3, Pol. Capt. Arnonnun Kamollut, Superintendent at
Pattaya Immigration, led the police team armed with a search warrant from
Pattaya Provincial Court to a beer bar which police said in reality was a
brothel called Kinnaree House.
Plainclothes immigration officers first went inside posing as customers and
discovered that the premise had six rooms allegedly for sexual services.
The undercover police agreed to pay 1,350 baht for sex, 1,000 baht for a
woman and 350 baht for a short-time room.
Police said there were naked women having sex with tourists in the six
rooms. All the women were asked to dress and taken for investigation at
Pattaya Immigration. The 29 women between the ages of 20-30 were fined 500
baht each and released.
Pol. Col. Arnonnun said that this operation came as part of general
investigation of beer bars in the city to stop prostitution and prevent
human-trafficking.
Naval students become monks
Hundreds of naval students prepare to become
Buddhist novices.
Patcharapol Panrak
299 students of the Royal Thai Navy were ordained as monks to honor
His Majesty the King.
On April 3, Capt. Chatchawan Meesawat, commander of the Chumpol Sattahip
Naval School, Naval Education Department, was assigned by Vice Admiral
Banyong Nisapongmanee, director-general of the Naval Education Department,
to chair the ordination for first and second year students at the Dharma
performance fair pavilion in Song Metta Wanaram Temple in Bangsarae.
Officials from the Naval School, parents and relatives of students attended
the ceremony.
Capt. Chatchawan said that the naval school was the main institution for
educating non-commissioned officers for the Royal Thai Navy, aimed at
perfecting the qualities and abilities of the graduating students.
As these graduate students take up their posts with the Navy, they need to
fulfill their requirement to be proactive in performing their duties, gain
experience in solving problems and have a plan for their lives. Their
training in the monkhood will teach students morality, kindness, presence of
mind, sacrifice, willingness, diligence and tolerance.
Vice Admiral Banyong Nisapongmanee, director-general of the Naval Education
Department, said the ordination project helps to cultivate moral principles
and religious knowledge, which are considered good activities to honor His
Majesty the King.
Abbot Thammapornpirom from Yanawa Temple and Abbot of Najomtien Temple Pipit
Chonlatham preached to the ordained students that it was auspicious for them
to study Dharma and learn how to avoid sin and wickedness, and instead
perform good deeds and show gratitude, plus find peace for mind and body
with the help of meditation.
Minister urges juices instead of alcohol for Songkran
Officials try to convince
restaurant owners
to stop selling alcohol during Songkran.
Theerarak Suthatiwong
Let’s have a “Delicious … non-alcoholic Songkran,” urged Minister of
Public Health Wittaya Kaewparadai.
He was addressing a meeting of public health officials, restaurant owners
and the media at Royal Cliff Beach Resort on April 7 in an attempt to reduce
the usual high road toll over the festival due mainly to drink driving.
This was done in cooperation with the Health Promotion Fund Office and the
restaurant association and was attended by Deputy Minister Manit
Nop-Amornbodee, Dr. Supreeda Adulyanon, deputy manager of the Health
Promotion Fund Office, Pawornwan Kulamongkol, president of the Thai
Restaurant Association, well-known actor Jo-Ninnat Sinchai, restaurant
entrepreneurs and celebrities.
Wittaya said the government wanted to reduce traffic accidents and injuries
during Songkran. He thanked restaurant owners who intended to cooperate and
stop selling liquor on Songkran Day in accordance with the Alcohol Beverage
Control Act of B.E. 2551.
Dr. Supreeda said that research data from the Narentorn Center showed that
accidents during Songkran increased 2.6 times above average, or 84 cases
each day.
Data from the Ministry of Transportation shows that one road death had an
average total cost to the community of approximately 5.4 million baht.
“The intention by restaurants to not sell liquor on April 13 this year will
reduce traffic accidents and reduce the drinking of alcohol which causes
crime as well,” he said.
Pawornwan said the Thai Restaurant Association members realized that these
problems originated from liquor. Therefore they expressed their
responsibility for Thai society to not sell alcohol on April 13 and some 80
entrepreneurs in eight provinces had confirmed this ban.
After the press release, Minister Wittaya presented honorary certificates to
model restaurant entrepreneurs and witnessed a demonstration for all of the
delicious alternative drinks to liquor for the Songkran Festival.
Fruit and rice mixed smoothies, two-berry smoothies, lemon grass water and
guava juice are some of the healthy and tasty alternatives.
School children
become novices
Officials bring the youngsters
to temple to enter into a brief period of monkhood.
Boonlua Chatree
Superintendent of Pattaya Immigration, Arnonnun Kamollut helped
organize the ordination of 209 novices during the holidays for the benefit
of the youngsters themselves and to honor His Majesty the King and HRH
Princess Sirindhorn at Nongprue Temple in Banglamung.
At 1 p.m. on April 5, Col. Anonnat Kamolrat and Chanyuth Hengtrakul, former
Member of Parliament for Chonburi, joined to host the ordination for
children between the ages of ages of 10 and 14. This was held so they would
be able to learn about Buddhism during the school summer holiday.
He said that this was a great opportunity to make merit, provide some
culture and moral training, “which is better than wasting their school
vacations by doing nothing useful.” This ordination will also honor His
Majesty the King and HRH Princess Sirindhorn.
Many happy parents were there to guide their children through their brief
entry into the monkhood.
State of Emergency hurts
Thailand’s economic growth
The State of Emergency imposed in Bangkok and five
neighboring provinces by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday
will further deteriorate foreign investment and the country’s economic
growth, experts said.
Thanawat Palavichai, director of the University of the Thai Chamber of
Commerce (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecast Center, said he believed the
government would issue news laws or decrees to contain political turmoil in
the country.
Negotiations between protesters and the government to return to normalcy
could be difficult to arrange, and it is possible that clashes between the
parties could lead to political changes, he said.
It is highly likely that foreign investment through money and capital
markets in Thailand will slow down, Thanawat said.
He said if political unrest could not be resolved soon, Thailand’s economic
growth could contract more than 5 percent this year while
government-sponsored projects would also be delayed.
Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI),
said he believed the government would not use violent measures against the
protesters.
The State of Emergency if imposed for a short-term would affect tourist
confidence and Thai economic growth this year may further contract despite
the government’s newly-launched economic stimulus programs, Santi said.
The state of emergency is effective in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan,
Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya provinces. (TNA)
Khaosan tourism hard hit by red-shirt protests in Bangkok
Hotel occupancy rates and guesthouse bookings in Khaosan
Road, a prime area for backpackers and other budget-conscious travelers,
sharply declined due to the ongoing political turmoil, according to Surat
Vongchansilp, president of the Khaosan Road Business Association.
Following the anti-government red shirt protests, particularly the Thursday
blockades of Bangkok’s major intersections, many tourists on Friday
cancelled their Khaosan bookings and total bookings dropped to only 20
percent from 95 percent of the reservations for the Songkran Festival.
He said existing tourists have cancelled remaining days in their room
bookings and checked-out, while new tourists opted not to come due to the
protest, fearing a resumed political crisis and worrying about possible
airport closures.
Tourists communicated to each other via e-mail, Surat said, and the Internet
had spread the news worldwide.
Surat said the association had earlier predicted that tourist numbers would
decline by five percent this year because of the global economic crisis, but
after the meeting of association members, bookings evaporated by as much as
80 percent.
The association expected a Bt300 million cash flow during Songkran, but
after the protest, Bt200 million in circulation is considered the best
prospect, he said.
Khaosan Road, Thailand’s haven for backpackers, is a famed venue for
tourists and Thais alike to celebrate the Songkran ‘Water’ Festival.
The tourism industry has been sluggish for seven to eight months, and the
association hoped their business would recover and expected to cash in
during the Festival, but their plans have been shattered because of the
protest, he said. (TNA)
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