Civil Unrest in Bangkok – Authorities do Nothing?
The protesters at the Bangkok airports are shutting down an entire country. They’ve trapped 350,000 foreign travelers who are becoming angrier by the day. Business losses are mounting and will total in the tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars. The orchid industry alone estimates that it will lose US$23 million if Suvarnabhumi Airport remains closed until December 10. Without a doubt, tens of millions will be lost by the tourism and hospitality industry.
But this conflict is being handled in an unprecedented way. In most countries, including the US, force would have been used to clear out protesters and open up the lanes of commerce. Remember the 1999 WTO Riots in Seattle? Police clashed with rioters just for the heck of it. Nothing was resolved, yet a lot of businesses were disrupted. But in Thailand, the police and army are not going in with their with tanks and guns.
Why? The current prime minister, Somchai, does not have the support of the King or the army, and that matters in Thailand. Also, everyone seems to be waiting for the results of an electoral fraud case against the ruling coalition parties that is being heard by the Thai Constitutional Court. On Tuesday, the Court will hear closing arguments and a ruling could come as early as sometime this week.
If found guilty, the ruling coalition parties would be dissolved and a new government formed–achieving the objectives of the protesters. The protesters would disappear and life would return to normal, although divisions between the rural and urban districts within Thailand will intensify.
What if the ruling coalition parties are found innocent? If Somchai doesn’t resign from the pressure of the protesters, expect more turmoil, and perhaps new elections.
If you travel to Thailand in the near future, you’ll be sure to get an education on how a country can use restraint and still solve problems. The country is worth a visit sometime during your lifetime…but if you go in the near future, be sure to buy travel insurance!!!
P.S. My next posting will be about travel insurance and whether events like this and the attacks in Mumbai would be covered.
Today, December 2nd, the Thai Constitutional Court banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years and dissolved the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and two other coalition parties, over the voting fraud cases. There was no immidiate reaction from PM. However, the demonstrators led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vowed to continue rallying at Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi airports and demanded the departure of the entire Cabinet along with PM. So, we’ll see what happens…
Be aware that trave insurance will not cover you in these circumstances…well mine hasn’t anyway, I reckon Thailand should be avoided in the near future.