Thai army declares martial law

[TarJak]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/thai-army-declares-martial-law-military-tv/5464040

After quite a few years of political unrest it looks like the army in Thailand has had enough and stepped in "to restore peace and order for people from all sides", stressing that the move "was not a coup".

They look like being in a mess for some time to come too as both sides of the current argument have about equal support.

[fireftr18]

Thank you for posting. I have a niece working in Thailand right now. Fortunately she's in a rural town, away from Bangkok. Prayers for her safety.

[TarJak]

NP. Hope your niece stays safe. Most of the strife is in the cities so she should be ok.

[Jimbuna]

I shouldn't imagine this will help the tourism industry.

[TarJak]

Our immigration department has issued new travel warnings for Thailand today so for those frightened off by those warnings,there will be done drop off.

[Jimbuna]

Some youngsters over there must be feeling a little easier now :03:

[banryu79]

I don't know anything of what is currently happening in Thailand... but I understand that when the military make direct use of it's power in internal affairs usually it is with the aim of:
A) a coup d'etat to throw the governament down and replace it with another
B) the other option aronund: supporting the gov., suppress internal unrest and opposition.

What's happening btw in Thailand, i.e. which are the opposing forces in play?

[TarJak]

http://www.fairobserver.com/region/asia_pacific/political-unrest-thailand-crisis-explained-57136/

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_Thai_political_crisis

[banryu79]

http://www.fairobserver.com/region/asia_pacific/political-unrest-thailand-crisis-explained-57136/

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013%E2%80%9314_Thai_political_crisis
Ah, what a mess :hmmm:

[fireftr18]

Got a report back from my niece. Yes, she is safe where she is. She said it's actually been going on for some time. It isn't really as bad as the news is making out to be.

[soopaman2]

Some youngsters over there must be feeling a little easier now :03:
:haha::haha: (I see what you did there)

I venture to guess the local ladyboy industry has taken a dive. :oops:

[TarJak]

Some youngsters over there must be feeling a little easier now :03:No doubt. Rolf Harris certainly won't be visiting soon.

[Jimbuna]

LOL :)

[Oberon]

http://s1.postimg.org/xlz1b45vj/10402578_288927214607597_6879784224136081687_n.jpg

Military coup has taken place...again...

Potential for a civil war looms... :nope:

[Jimbuna]

I wouldn't have thought so....the political situation has developed into a stubborn dogfight and the military are probably the only entity with the ability to make everyone come to their senses.

[TarJak]

Given this is coup #19 in the last 81 years, I doubt it will devolve into civil war either. Its a chance, but a slim one.

[Jimbuna]

Didn't realise there had been so many previously but history has a habit of repeating itself.

[fireftr18]

My niece and her friends are a little uneasy now. They have plans made to get out quick. They're hoping for the best and all figure it will turn out okay for them.

[em2nought]

The King should take over, as Kings go he's a good one.

[fireftr18]

A photo essay sent by my niece.

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2014/05/22/photo-essay-scenes-democracy-monument-moments-after-coup

[bertieck476]

My daughter is due to go travelling there in a couple of weeks time, Im slightly worried but the advice i have seen is ok except for a couple of areas on the malaysian border.

[fireftr18]

That seems to be what my niece is saying. She's in a rural town and there is no military presence at all. The local police are handling enforcing the curfew it seems they are being very considerate about people getting home. Still though, I wouldn't travel there right now.

[fireftr18]

Update with my niece. Normally, during her time in Thailand, she was posting on Facebook at least once a day, often large posts with pictures. Her posts lately have been sporadic at best, and very short with just enough information to let us know she's okay. The Thai army is apparently controlling all communications including internet access.

[Platapus]

The new Nikon D800s (although the name is not final) will be manufactured in Thailand. They better the coup straighten out fast! :O:

[fireftr18]

Update on my niece. It seems things have settled down quite a bit. It appears that things are back to normal. Her postings are back up to previous levels and quality. And it appears she's back to having fun and not as worried about the events. It was a tense situation for a few weeks. I'm glad it settled down. She's supposed to come home in July, just looking forward to that.

[Jimbuna]

Nice one :sunny: