Off topic gebeurt nogal eens.
Soms is humor een belangrijk iets zeker in spannende tijden.
On topic.
Ook ik boek nog niets om, ons Hotel ligt in het zaken district.
We eindigen in Juli in Bangkok daarom hebben we nog wat tijd.
Als het blijft zoals nu dan boek ik een ander hotel.
Een vraag kun je naar het MBK toe ?
Nov 14 poll scrapped
By THE NATION
Published on May 13, 2010
** Govt calls off plan to dissolve Parliament after reds refuse to heed ultimatum to end demonstration; Move to cut off power, water and food supply to protesters put on hold following plea by foreign envoys, Rajprasong residents **
The government yesterday decided to scrap its plan to dissolve Parliament and call an early general election in November after the red-shirted protesters refused to leave their protest site at the Rajprasong intersection, and also put on hold a plan to cut off essential supplies to force them to disperse.
âAs the protesters failed to follow the conditions agreed on in a series of negotiations earlier, we decided to cancel the November 14 election date,â Prime Ministerâs SecretaryKorbsak Sabhavasusaid
The government, under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, would carry on its tasks until the end of its term next year, he said.
He added that the five-point road map for national reconciliation: to uphold the monarchy, bring justice, media reform, set up an independent body to inquire into bloody incidents and amend the Constitution would continue.
QUIET DEAL
A quiet deal between the government andred shirtschief Veera Musigapong earlier required thered shirtsto end their protest in exchange for early election and surrender of Deputy Prime MinisterSuthep Thaugsubanto authorities to take responsibility for the bloody clashes on April 10, a source said.
Suthep reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) on Tuesday but thered shirtsdismissed the gesture as a trick as the legal process against him did not really take place. The protesters demanded that Suthep, who is the chief of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) surrender to the police, face interrogation, give his fingerprint and seek bail in accordance with the legal process for normal criminal cases.
However, there was no unity among the red leaders as some, such as Veera and Kokaew Pikulthong, said Suthepâs action met their demand and got ready to leave Rajprasong. But hardliners such asJatuporn Promphaninsisted that Suthep undergo a thorough legal process as a suspect for a criminal charge.
As the deal was broken, the government planned to step up harsh measures to force the protesters out of the business area, which they have occupied for more than a month, by cutting off power, water and food supply.
The plan was put on hold yesterday as residents of the area, including foreign diplomats whose embassies are located nearby, |urged a review by the authorities |as they would be heavily affected, rather than the protesters.
European diplomats expressed their concern to Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday over the planned cut-off of power and water supply.
The CRES took their concerns into account and had to weigh the impact of the tough measures on local residents, business centres, hospitals and embassies, said spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.
PROTESTERS âNOT AFRAIDâ
Red-shirt leaderwengTojirakarn said the protesters were not afraid of the governmentâs measures and they were ready to face the situation and planned to pay back.
The chief of the red-shirt security guards, Aree Krainara, said the measures would have no impact on the protesters as they have their own power generators and get water supply directly from fire hydrants, which would never be short of supply.
Saner Wisutthana, deputy president of the labour union of Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), announced on the protesting stage that the MEA has no policy to cut off power supply in the areas as the authority cannot afford its consequences.
The CRES reportedly asked all
operators of telephones, mobile phones, buses and trains, besides public utility agencies for electricity and water, to prepare to suspend services and put pressure on the protesters.
However, as of yesterday, all the
operators said they did not receive any formal request from the CRES and many public facilities could not stop their service.
A mobile-phone operator said it cannot stop signals for mobile-phone service due to a consumer protection law. Cutting off or jamming cellphone signals can be done only in case of a critical security situation like in the restive South, a company official said on condition of anonymity.
The CRES called an urgent meeting last night with many public utility operators like the MEA, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority, mobile-phone companies and Bangkok Mass Transit Authorities to seek ways to cut their service with minimum impact on consumers in the protesting area.
The representatives of the operators told the CRES that they cannot cut off their service as it would heavily affect people living and doing business in the area, rather than the protesters.
Owwwww crapâŠ
Govt revokes election offer
**Troops, APCs sent to seal off rally site, says source **
[ul]
[li]Published: 13/05/2010 at 12:00 AM[/li][li]Newspaper section: News[/li][/ul]The government has abruptly cancelled its offer to hold a general election on Nov 14 after red shirt protesters refused to call off their rally at Ratchaprasong.
Red shirt protesters siphon water from a mains pipe outside the Police General Hospital. The protesters said they were not concerned by the governmentâs threat to cut water and power to the Ratchaprasong area. Het volledige verhaal kan je lezen op het laatste thailand nieuws(posting:red shirts)Belga nieuws!!!
wo 12/05/2010 - 09:46 Update: wo 12/05/2010 - 14:27
De Thaise regering heeft haar eigen ultimatum aan de roodhemden op de lange baan geschoven. Voor middernacht moesten ze de bezette wijk verlaten, of de regering zou de wijk isoleren. De demonstranten verwerpen het ultimatum, waarop de regering haar eigen ultimatum liet varen.
Sinds begin maart 2010 komen de antiregeringsbetogers van de roodhemden op straat om het ontslag van de regering van premier Abhisit te eisen. De roodhemden eisen nieuwe verkiezingen en kwamen aanvankelijk elke dag de straat op met honderdduizenden betogers. Al meer dan een maand bezetten ze ook het commerciële hart van de hoofdstad Bangkok, een belangrijke wijk. Voorlopig orgelpunt van het protest is de clash met het Thaise leger op 10 april. Toen kwamen 27 roodhemden om in de strijd om de bezette wijk, honderden raakten gewond.
Belga
De Thaise premier Abhisit heeft de bezetters vandaag een ultimatum gesteld: ze moeten hun stellingen verlaten en de wijk terug overdragen aan de regering. Zoniet zal de regering âactie ondernemenâ. Het leger herhaalt dat dreigement met zoveel woorden.
Aanvankelijk plande de regering om alle voedselbevoorrading van de wijk onmogelijk te maken, en alle elektriciteit- en watervoorziening af te snijden. Ook alle telefoonlijnen zouden worden doorgeknipt. Die maatregelen zouden vanaf middernacht plaatselijke tijd van kracht worden, 21 uur Belgische tijd. De roodhemden lieten meteen weten dat ze het ultimatum van de regering naast zich neerleggen.
De spanningen in de Thaise hoofdstad namen daarop toe. De regering besloot daarom de confrontatie voor zich uit te schuiven, en laat haar eigen ultimatum varen.
Roodhemden stellen bijkomende eis
Een van de redenen waarom de regering steeds nerveuzer wordt over de bezetting, is dat enkele elitescholen in de wijk liggen. Volgende week begint het schooljaar in Thailand opnieuw.
Belga
De regering-Abhisit zwicht dus stilaan onder de druk en stelde op 3 mei voor om in november nieuwe verkiezingen te organiseren. Voorwaarde is dat de roodhemden de bezetting van de commerciële wijk beëindigen. De antiregeringsbetogers kunnen zich vinden in het voorstel van de regering, maar stellen een bijkomende eis: de vicepremier Suthep (foto) moet gerechtelijk vervolgd worden. Suthep was degene die het leger het bevel heeft gegeven om de wijk aan te vallen op 10 april, een actie waarbij 27 roodhemden omkwamen.
Belga
wo 12/05/2010 - 09:46 Update: wo 12/05/2010 - 14:27
De Thaise regering heeft haar eigen ultimatum aan de roodhemden op de lange baan geschoven. Voor middernacht moesten ze de bezette wijk verlaten, of de regering zou de wijk isoleren. De demonstranten verwerpen het ultimatum, waarop de regering haar eigen ultimatum liet varen.
Sinds begin maart 2010 komen de antiregeringsbetogers van de roodhemden op straat om het ontslag van de regering van premier Abhisit te eisen. De roodhemden eisen nieuwe verkiezingen en kwamen aanvankelijk elke dag de straat op met honderdduizenden betogers. Al meer dan een maand bezetten ze ook het commerciële hart van de hoofdstad Bangkok, een belangrijke wijk. Voorlopig orgelpunt van het protest is de clash met het Thaise leger op 10 april. Toen kwamen 27 roodhemden om in de strijd om de bezette wijk, honderden raakten gewond.
Belga
De Thaise premier Abhisit heeft de bezetters vandaag een ultimatum gesteld: ze moeten hun stellingen verlaten en de wijk terug overdragen aan de regering. Zoniet zal de regering âactie ondernemenâ. Het leger herhaalt dat dreigement met zoveel woorden.
Aanvankelijk plande de regering om alle voedselbevoorrading van de wijk onmogelijk te maken, en alle elektriciteit- en watervoorziening af te snijden. Ook alle telefoonlijnen zouden worden doorgeknipt. Die maatregelen zouden vanaf middernacht plaatselijke tijd van kracht worden, 21 uur Belgische tijd. De roodhemden lieten meteen weten dat ze het ultimatum van de regering naast zich neerleggen.
De spanningen in de Thaise hoofdstad namen daarop toe. De regering besloot daarom de confrontatie voor zich uit te schuiven, en laat haar eigen ultimatum varen.
Roodhemden stellen bijkomende eis
Een van de redenen waarom de regering steeds nerveuzer wordt over de bezetting, is dat enkele elitescholen in de wijk liggen. Volgende week begint het schooljaar in Thailand opnieuw.
Belga
De regering-Abhisit zwicht dus stilaan onder de druk en stelde op 3 mei voor om in november nieuwe verkiezingen te organiseren. Voorwaarde is dat de roodhemden de bezetting van de commerciële wijk beëindigen. De antiregeringsbetogers kunnen zich vinden in het voorstel van de regering, maar stellen een bijkomende eis: de vicepremier Suthep (foto) moet gerechtelijk vervolgd worden. Suthep was degene die het leger het bevel heeft gegeven om de wijk aan te vallen op 10 april, een actie waarbij 27 roodhemden omkwamen.
Graag jullie antwoord
Wat ik wel weet is dat momenteel de red shirts nogaltijd samentroepen aan de wijk âRajprasongâ die niet ver gelegen is van de Mbk center.
Is het daar veilig? zou het echt niet weten.Ik heb ondertussen verschillende sites opgezocht en de Mbk zou open zijn voor het publiek!!Momenteel rijden er nog altijd sky treinen richting âMbkâ
http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1271877-Mah_Boon_KrongMBK-Bangkok.jpg
Dank U
Minder goed nieuws :
** Thai military 'to surround red-shirt protesters' **
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47837000/jpg/_47837942_009272203-1.jpg
The number of troops in Bangkok is said to have increased in recent days
**The Thai military says security forces plan to surround a protest encampment in Bangkok with armoured vehicles.**
A spokesman said that routes into the sprawling encampment would be closed at 1800 (1100 GMT). Protesters would be free to leave but not enter, he said.
The move comes a day after the government announced and then cancelled a plan to cut off water and power supplies to the protesters.
The group have been occupying key parts of the capital since 14 March.
They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.
He had offered polls on 14 November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month.
The BBCâs Rachel Harvey in Bangkok says the fear is that more blood may be spilled before this crisis is brought to an end.
âRestore normalcyâ
The military urged businesses around the protest camp to close by 1800 and stay shut.
âThe authorities will seal off the protest area at all routes at 6 p.m. today with armoured personnel vehicles. No one would be allowed in,â a spokesman, Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, said.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif
Transport officials said four elevated Skytrain stations in and around the protest zone would close at 1800.
The camp stretches from Bangkokâs shopping hub south to the business district. Protesters have built large barricades from tyres and bamboo, behind which they have stockpiled food supplies and generators.
The militaryâs announcement comes as hopes of a political solution to the crisis fade.
Mr Abhisit told journalists that he had withdrawn his offer of early elections in November.
âI have cancelled the election date⊠because protesters refuse to disperse,â he said. âI have told security officials to restore normalcy as soon as possible.â
A few days ago a deal had appeared within reach. But protest leaders demanded that charges be laid against the deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban over the 10 April crackdown.
Mr Suthep oversaw the failed operation to clear protesters which left 19 protesters, one journalist and five soldiers dead.
Ahead of the militaryâs announcement red-shirt leaders appeared defiant.
âWe urge that our supporters come and help us here because the more people we have, the harder it is for them to hurt us,â Nattawut Saikua, a protest leader, told a ing crowd.
âWe are ready for any attempt to forcibly disperse us. Our guards are ready to protect the site.â
The protesters are a loose coalition of left-wing activists, democracy campaigners and supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
They say the government is illegitimate because it came to power through a parliamentary deal rather than an election.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47739000/gif/_47739187_bangkok_shooting_466.gif
CRES to block roads around Rajprasong
By The Nation
**Blockade starts 6 pm, troops authorised to use live ammunitions**
The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation will completely seal off roads around the Rajprasong rally site to block more protesters from joining the rally.
The CRES announced that the complete blockade would start at 6 pm Thursday.
Phyathai Road, Phetchaburi Road, and Wireless Road would be closed to all types of transportation.
Limited access will be allowed on Rama IV Road but motorists would be checked by troops.
Residents of the sealed-off area will need to show identification documents to enter the zone.
Protesters will not be allowed to enter the zone but they will not be blocked from leaving.
The blockade was announced by CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, who said troops will be authorised to use live ammunitions at the all checkpoints around Rajprasong.
Sansern said the northern area to be affected by the sealing-off starts from Rajthevi Intersection to Phetchaburi Road, reaching the Phetchaburi Expressway Intersection.
On the southern side, the road will be blocked from Phetchaburi Intersection to Wireless Road to Wireless Road Intersection, reaching Rama IV road and Samyaek Intersection.
The Phythai Road will be entirely sealed off from Mah Boon Krong, reaching Rajthevi Intersection.
Sansern said the roads will be blocked in square shape.
âIn this square blockade, the Phyathai, Phetchaburi and Wireless Road will be closed to traffic,â Sansern said, adding that Rama IV Road will provide limited access to motorists.
He said all types of transportation, including buses, BTS trains and subway and passenger boasts will not be allowed to pass through the blocked area.
Sansern said residents and people working in the blocked zone would be allowed to travel through the checkpoints if they present their documents like household registrations and workersâ ID cards. They will receive stickers for their vehicles to enter the zone.
He said the troops and police would close in on the rally zone and would be backed up by armoured vehicles.
âWe need to use the armoured vehicles to shield troops and police from being fired at because we are confident that armed terrorists are among the protesters,â Sansern said.
Sansern said troops would first try to prevent attacks by protesters by using rubber bullets but if protesters still attack the officials to try to seize weapons, the officials will need to use live ammunitions to defend themselves.
He said officials would first try to fire into the sky to intimidate attacking protesters and would aim at those with weapons.
Sansern said troops will be armed with M16 assault rifles and Travo assault rifles.
Sansern said the court approved the CRESâ request for mobile phone operators to cut off phone signals in the protest zone.
He said the court allowed the phone signal blackout to be made for six hours each time for unlimited number of times until the situation improved.
Gisteren 12-05 om 18:04 deed de Belgische Ambassade te Bkk een DRINGENDE oproep aan ALLE mensen die in de volgende buurt werken en of wonen deze ten STELLIGSTE te verlaten en een ander onderkomen te zoeken.
Buurt Ratchaprasong Ratchadami, ErewanâŠhoek Silom-Rama IV
Aan alle anderen in Bkk om vanaf gisteravond nog voorzichtiger te zijn en of binnen te blijven.
Dit daar de betogingen ieder moment kunnen ontsporen.
Wilde het gisteren nog plaatsen maar het internet speelde niet mee.
Een ongeruste Frank
Zo ontzettend goed dat jullie al dit nieuws plaatsen. Wij gaan over een week, maar als ik dit lees wordt ik toch wel wat angstiger.
Local News
Troops to surround Ratchaprasong with armoured vehicles
[ul]
[li]Published: 13/05/2010 at 02:09 PM[/li][li]Online news: Local News[/li][/ul]
Government forces will lay siege to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorshipâs (UDD) protest site at around Ratchaprasong intersection from 6pm today, Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Thursday.
Col Sansern said armoured personnel carriers (APCs) would be used to protect soldiers during the operation.
Roadblocks would be set up. Protesters would be allowed to leave the protest site, but no-one would be allowed to enter.
Snipers carrying real weapons and live ammunition would move into position. However, heavy weapons such as machineguns and grenades would not be used, he said.
Live ammunition would be used - fired into the sky to scare away attackers, to protect the lives of security personnel, and to shoot armed assailants.
Col Sansern said that by 6pm the water supply, mobile and fixed line telephone services, bus, electric train and boat servicesto the area would come to a halt. Whether or when to cut the power supply would be decided later.
The CRES had asked businesses in the Ratchaprasong vicinity to allow their employees to go home before 6pm and to take leave on Friday, he said.
Earlier reports said army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Wednesday approved âOperation Ratchaprasongâ involving 32,000 troops and 120 APCs to seal off the rally site. The APCs were reportedly scheduled to leave their base in Saraburi last night.
Following the CRES announcement, UDD secretary-general Nathawut Saikua, said the red shirts would be ready for any situation.
However, it would be better for the government to stick with peaceful means, which would not cause more losses.
Mr Nathawut said although the government might want to use force the protesters would adhere to a peaceful struggle.
"Letâs wait to see whether the government will follow international standards [in dispersing the protesters].
"We would not be here if we were going to give in easily to pressure. We are here as fighters.
âWe are not underlings who can be easily ordered about by the government and do what it wants us to,â he said.
Mr Nathawut warned the government to change its mind before 6pm and do as demanded by the protesters - for the prime minister and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban to enter the justice process.
On the governmentâs concern that the rally would affect the opening of schools situated around the area for the new semester, he said the UDD would work with school administrators.
Mr Nathawut said the protesters would not end their rally as long as those responsible for the April 10 bloodbath remain at large, otherwise the protest would be pointless.
In the morning, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that he withdrew his offer of a general election on Nov 14 after protesters refused to end their rally.
âHowever, I will proceed with the five-point reconciliation plan,â he said on the sidelines of a seminar on community development at a Bangkok hotel.
The prime minister also ensured that he would bring the situation back to normalcy before the beginning of the new school term next Monday.
The prime ministerâs secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu said Wednesday that the government has cancelled the election offer because the UDD has shown no signs of complying with Mr Abhisitâs demand to end the rally.
Mr Abhisit proposed his reconciliation roadmap and offered the Nov 14 poll date on May 3. He later announced House dissolution between Sept 15 and 30.
The red shirt leaders accepted the House dissolution and poll date, but refused to end their prolonged rally at Ratchprasong intersection unless Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban faces criminal charges in relation to the bloody April 10 clashes between security forces and the protesters.
Zoals ik het al een paar keer heb vermeld,zijn het maar een paar straten in Bangkok die door de red shirts bezet worden.
Maar Bangkok is een grote stad,de kans dat je wordt geconfronteerd op een betoging is nihil.
Moest je eventueel een manifestatie tegenkomen,dan ga je wijselijk een blokje om.
En indien dat het echt gaat escaleren,dan kan je nog altijd naar het noorden of het zuiden om je vakantie door te brengen.
Spanning gaat weer omhoog ook de Nederlandse ambassade heeft gisteren een sms alert gestuurd naar de Nederlanders te Thailand.
Met het volgende bericht:
Leger zet blokkade op rond Rajprasong.
Electra en water worden afgesloten.
Gebied en omgeving mijden.
Uiterste waakzaamheid betrachten.
Rajprasong waar de spanning stijgt ligt in de buurt van Wat phra kaew, en dit is nog altijd een aardig stukje verwijdert vanaf MBK maar even verderop staat men er ook.
Dus voorzichtigheid geboden eenmaal in BKK.
Ik ben echt zo blij met de topic! Ik vertrek over twee weken en kan hier goed op de hoogte blijven!
**De politieke spanning is weer opgelopen. Toeristen worden met klem geadviseerd het Ratchaprasong gebied te mijden!
**Na eerdere positieve berichten over een naderend akkoord tussen de Redshirts en de regering van premier Abhisit, leek de politieke spanning te zijn afgenomen.
Om de politieke impasse te doorbreken heeft Premier Abhisit in de avond van 3 mei een voorstel gedaan dat zou leiden tot verkiezingen op 14 november 2010. Het voorstel heeft ook voorwaardelijke instemming verkregen van de leiders van de roodhemden. De roodhemden hebben wel aangegeven de demonstraties in het centrum van Bangkok (o.a. de Rachaprasong kruising) pas te beëindigen wanneer Premier Abhisit een definitieve datum vaststelt voor het ontbinden van parlement.
Aanslagen 7 mei zorgt voor nieuwe spanning
De kans op gewelddadige confrontaties tussen veiligheidstroepen en betogers leek afgenomen te zijn, maar door de aanslagen op 7 mei (waarbij twee politieagenten omkwamen) blijft de politieke situatie nog altijd gespannen. Nederlanders worden aangeraden het gebied rond de Ratchaprasong-kruising te mijden.
Ultimatum 12 mei aan Redshirts
Premier Abhisit wil dat de betogers het Rachaprasong gebied ontruimen zodat de normale situatie terugkeert en iedereen zich weer vrij kan bewegen in dat gebied. Premier Abhisit heeft de betogers op 11 mei een ultimatum gesteld en hen opgeroepen hun protest uiterlijk woensdag 12 mei te beëindigen. Als de betogers geen gehoor geven zou de regering gedwongen worden harde maatregelen te treffen.
De regering overweegt om in de komende dagen water en elektriciteit af te sluiten in het gebied waar de betogers zich bevinden (rond de Ratchaprasong-kruising). Ook wordt gesproken over het mogelijk platleggen van het mobiele telefoonverkeer in genoemd gebied. Voorts zal men trachten de toevoer van nieuwe betogers en goederen tegen te houden.
De volgende (winkel)gebieden in Bangkok moeten vermeden worden
Het gebied van de Redshirts:
[ul]
[li]Ratchaprasong[/li][li]Chulalongkorn Hospital[/li][li]Ploenchit Road: Ploenchit intersection to Ratchaprasong intersection[/li][li]Witthayu Road: Witthayu-Sarisin intersection to Ploenchit intersection[/li][li]Rama I Road: Ratchaprasong intersection to Pathumwan intersection[/li][li]Rajdamri Road: Saladaeng intersection Pratunam intersection[/li][li]Chidlom Road: Chitlom-Phetchaburi intersection to Chitlom-Ploenchit intersection[/li][li]Silom road â Saladaeng intersection[/li][li]CentralWorld[/li][li]Zen[/li][li]Big C Rajdamri[/li][li]Gaysorn Plaza[/li][li]Amarin Plaza[/li][li]Siam Discovery[/li][li]Siam Paragon[/li][li]Siam Center[/li][/ul]
Offices at Rajprasong, Silom closed early
Offices at the Rajprasong and Silom areas let their workers go home early Thursday.
Workers started going home at 3 pm after the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation announced that it would seal off Rajprasong, Matichon Online reported.
The Ploenchit and Silom stations of BTS were crowded since 3 pm. The two stations would be closed at 6 pm.
The Nation
Asia News Channel (leesband LATEST) 13-05 om 20:30
Explosies en geweervuur in Bkk.
Leider roodhemden geraakt en zwaar gekwetst.
Frank
Hier een link via google maps naar de bezette gebieden.
Het zal wel een crackdown worden.