Thai or in Thailand? What's your take?

[oricella]

Used to live there, watching developments from afar and wondering what the mood on the ground is for those of you who live there..

I have friends in Bangkok still (we lived there for four years), they've said it's all OK as long as you stay away from Silom and CBD. I really think the King should make a statement and Thaksin should stop shit stirring. Just my opinion though.

Hi Kreecher, yes - been wondering about the King - isn't he in hospital though? I guess that for most people life continues as normal...

Yes, he is, apparently he's been there for seven months . He made some sort of statement recently I read about it on the BBC, although he did not say anything about the situation.

Bump

It's not looking good is it? Anyone there at the moment?

There's quite a lot of info on the Thai Visa forums:

www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-News-clippings-f18.html
www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Forum-f38.html

I spoke to my friend yesterday. She is leaving ASAP due to the escalation of the situation.

oh god, ds's best friend, his mum and sister are flying out there today for 6w. its her fathers funeral. am not letting ds watch the news.

My brother lives in Bangkok. His apartment is in an area that was locked down a couple of weeks ago, no idea what is going on now as he's not been well and suspiciously quiet. Was just reading the BBC news and thinking I really need to get hold of him.

Have just found an email. He says large parts of it are no go areas at the moment and it's pretty crazy but that in some places that are literally 20 metres from the fighting life is going on as normal. His apartment Iis currently outside where the fighting is for the moment rhank goodness but he won't leave Bangkok as he has a business and feels it's not fair on his partners to go.

I know I'm talking to myself here but had another email, he's trying to get out of Bangkok but struggling as there are road blocks everywhere.

Hello Wynk.. thanks for that, must be very worrying... most of my friends are upcountry, or outside bkk centre and everyone seems to have gone quiet

My friends mainly live in the Samut Prakan area, one was due to give birth in Bumrungrad but, due to road blocks actually delivered in Srinakarin two days ago.

He's trying to get to Pattaya, I will be hugely relieved when hopefully I get an email to say he has made it. I worry about my little brother, he may be 35 and pretty resourceful but I still worry !

Oh Kreecher, your poor friend, as if having a baby isn't hard enough without all this going on. Is she and the baby OK ?

She's fine, it's her fifth so she is pretty laid back about the whole thing. She did have to walk to the hospital though, her dh was delivering two of the other children to stay with friends while the remaining two stayed with the home help. I'm sure she'll laugh about it in 12 years or so.

I'm really pleased she's OK, thank goodness it wasn't her first.

Am very relieved to have had email saying he has safely arrived in Pattaya and am hoping he stays put for a bit.

I have friends who are in "lockdown" mode.Kids aren't at school and they have made tentative plans to fly out to Hong Kong.
As a huge fan of Bangkok and the Thai people (as well as friends there) I find the whole situation incredibly sad.
I was there when the demonstrations started and there really was a carnival atmosphere and never once did I feel unsafe or threatened-how quickly things can change...

Me and DH were talking about this last night, we both agree that if King Bhumiphon were to come out of hospital and speak to the nation, a lot of strife would be/could have been avoided.
Glad your bro has reached Pattaya by the way.

My cousin is there right now, on her way back from holiday. Going to be relieved when she is back in the UK

I have definitely sensed a shift this weekend. We have friends in the lockdown area and mobile phone communications were shut down just before the weekend.
It has definitely escalated way beyond what they had ever imagined.
I think pretty much anyone will now agree that the red shirts have pushed this too far. However, although many back the governement in its current stance, a lot of yellow shirts silently think the current PM has no backbone and let this fester.
The king is dying and his son is totally despised. So no help to be expected on that front.

My thai BF's parents are on the brink of divorce. She is wondering wether there is still any future for the monarchy. If not then years of unrest to be expected.

Very sad.

True slim, I wonder about the Princess who is really liked. The son is a bit of a knob I think although he is due to be King next.
I understand there was a rumour that Thaksin had died. It would be best if he did IMVHO.

Isn't there a prediction that there will only be 9 (?) kings in Thailand ... I think that made some people hope Sirindorn could follow in her fathers footsteps..

At the rate things are developing now though, I wonder if the monarchy may just get abandoned as Thailand enters into total chaos.... with the King incapable, the crown prince hugely unpopular, and the country divided there's not much future for the royals

I feel huge sympathy for the rural and urban poor, but I feel they have been failed by every single government, and are now being failed, and used, by their leaders.. thouk jai

Chilled looking at this on facebook ...

chilling indeed.
Feels like the only thing that could bring some calm is a big national reconciliation around the kings casket at this stage.