Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Chris, Tampa FL — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:44:47 GMT

This is from someone who lives in Thailand but is American and works as a gemologist. The post is a little over a month or so old but shows what this problem is all about and how serious....and time consuming it has been.

http://www.gotoguy.com/?p=253

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Billy, Bangkok, Thailand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:38:49 GMT

If only you knew half of what was going on. The Place is run by corruption and Lies. No Government comments can be taken seriously. The Strength of the Baht is also sinister as they lie about their finances.
The PAD cannot back down nor can they win. The military is the only way but I fear a mini Civil War.
Tourism is down 40-50 %. They have cut the number of flights from BKK to Samui to 7 form 17 last year. The property market has come to a stop and the Thais are all in debt. it really is that bad.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

oliver Bangkok — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:47:42 GMT

I live in Bangkok and I can hardly believe what I see: amazing Thailand has become a playground for heavily armed mob storming airports, and shooting each other in the middle of the street. It is sad to see how quickly this country has gone downward because of irresponsibles politicians

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Kevin Jackson — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:52:19 GMT

In any other country in the world they police would have acted with severe force. Why is the Thai gov't holding back? They simply can't allow anarchy.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Dorothy Chong — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:44:53 GMT

Many of us have planned for the past six months to be in Bangkok for a concert this weekend and equal number are turning it into a mini-vacation/shopping spree.
It may seem trivial to these protesters that music fans from all over Asia are coming but what country in their right mind would turn down incoming funds right now amid global financial meltdown???
Oh wait, that's right. The Thais would because they love the country and King so much that they'd risk their tourism-dependent economy to make a point, that no one is even listening to. Only themselves of course.
How selfless.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:02:43 GMT

thailand need better gov not corrup? and need to change? no more king king to old ?

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Doug — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:30:36 GMT

I was there, the real story was all these people who wearing yellow shirts were getting paid to come out to protests (real story). Iheard.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Andy Sittton, Bang Pli, Thailand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:43:35 GMT

I live in the flight path of the new airport and the elimination of the aircraft noise is a plus...however, it's too bad that democracy here has now died.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:54:55 GMT

thailand is now to be fail. gov is bad people poor to much need to change like us.look chaina gov communis but they make it work not like communist salf king of thailand is good but system is bad

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

DEAN. LOS ANGELES, CA — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:02:22 GMT

We need change at any cost. After 4 months of peaceful protest, no wonder things are finally getting done. I fully support my fellow Thais back home. Im here in the US fully supporting you guys at the Los Angeles,CA Thai Consulate. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Desmond, Singapore — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:11:41 GMT

My wife is a Thai and I am saddened to see such detrimental situation in a country that I am so fond of and have intention to retire in.

If the whole nation loves the king, why not let His Majesty arbitrates again ? The king is well known for his love of his nation and is well respected. Everyone in Thailand should respect his decision.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

James, New York, New York — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:24:58 GMT

Everywhere else except Thailand, anyone who illegally makes siege of an airport is deemed a terrorist, and will be dealt with accordingly. That society sadly does not seem to see them as terrorists.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Ray, F. G. Koops, Hua Thanon, Koh Samui, Thailand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:59:02 GMT

In Thailand barely anything is as it appears on the surface. Both pro- and anti Govt movements are lusting for power.
Here power translates into wealth, either to be gained, maintained or protected.
Ex Premier Thaksin has proved himself to be both
very capable AND very corrupt.

Unfortunately there seems to be no clear, sensible way forward. All choices appear to have drawbacks.

Could America not spare Thailand an Obama clone ?

Dutchie living on Samui Island for the past 19 yrs.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

arthur chancellor — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:04:04 GMT

To all those stranded passengers and those who sick and tired of Thai politics, help is on the way. We still don't know in what form but there's the light at the end of the tunnel so be patient. I have great hope for THailand and we need to restart again.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Suzanne, N. Las Vegas, Nv — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:09:03 GMT

Plan to come in Jan. Will call family first. I know Thailand, it is probably worst than the media is allowed to report. Isn't the western world listening and looking at this. This looks disasterous. What is going on there.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

DaveG, Phoenix,az — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:28:31 GMT

I understand the people's cause, but taking over an airport makes no sense except to further hurt the country. Thailand is a beautiful country, but if a portion of their economy depends on tourist and the tourist stop coming, then what are all the Thai people that lost their jobs going to think of these protests.
In the end, if these protesters want change they need to take it to the government, not the airport.

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Bolbongse — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:37:58 GMT

If 2% of people protest and want to overthrow a democratically elected government, then we can safely say that they are using their locational and resources advantage, and they do not care the wishes of majority..even if elections are held they will continue to protest it there is no govt of their liking...is is not right..

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Annie, Orofino, Idaho — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:22:52 GMT

I have American family members headed for Bangkok (pleasure trip; first time to Thailand) at the end of December. Do you think they should cancel their vacation? US Embassy is simply staying steer clear of protestors; it that enough? Is it possible to stay safe and still enjoy "Amazing Thailand"?

Annie in Idaho

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

VK, Mumbai — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:38:06 GMT

So first the Thais elect a government and then decide to shut down the economy because they the guy they elected is deemed to be a proxy for someone else they don't love too much.

You can either have democracy or you can have a puppet government as a front for the Army or an absolute monarchy. The Army and Police seem to be having their share of fun by refusing to vacate a takeover of a vital national facility. This would not have been possible without a wink from the Army at the very least.

http://soleslide.blogspot.com

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Stephen Frey, Albany, NY — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:49:06 GMT

Gee, a government accused of corruption, who would've thougth? -__- Seriously though, if they want to protest their government, that's one thing, but to involve tourists whose crime was nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time? I mean they're turning this into an international incident. Where's Jack Bauer when you need him?

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Ron — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:58:16 GMT

The Thai goverment should understand what means Thanksgiving for american family.They must try everything they can to get the tourist back home in time

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Bob Michaels Madison, WI — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:28:09 GMT

I have been visiting Thailand annually for past 8 years and I have spent considerable time in Northern Thailand and Issan. I have a deep affection for the Thai people and my heart goes out to them as they stuggle through this current power crisis.

I see merit to both sides of the issue...YES...the gov. leaders do exercise corrupt /greedy-self-serving powers and have become skillful at "whitewashing" the truth. Yes, the poorer people in rural villages have had improvements in their lives...low er medical costs, transportation, etc. which they feel is the direct result of the present "populist" PM gov.

It is a shame that the humility and gracious hospitality and heart-warming smiles of the poorer Thais can't be fused with the passion for honest and transparant government of the affluent /better educated metropolitan Thais. Then I remember the disaster the USA has accepted under the G. W. Bush administration ... I do hope Thailand fares better.

I will be returning to Thailand in Jan to do more volunteer teaching in Issan. The Thai heart and welcome is without peer!

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Bob Michaels Madison, WI — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:28:59 GMT

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

John — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:43:55 GMT

This is too bad for Thailand. I thought Thailand was the land of smiles. Unfortunately it is not anymore. I wonder why the people of Thailand even waste their time to elect someone into office when in a week or less, he'll get protested against...It's too bad no one can be in office long enough to even start to work for the country. I can see this protesting can be an endless thing....Good luck Thailand

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

JK, tucson, arizona — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:57:42 GMT

Lived in Thailand for years now, and have a beautiful
Thai wife,(a real treasure) and I think many are
missing the point. The protestors are not terrorists.
They tried to take it to the government, but like the
american government it is severly corrupt, and they
had no choice but to storm the airport. I salute their bravery. That is an impossible act in america
with the police state and all the scared americans,
who would label it a terrorist act. americans have
no clue. I must laugh at all the stupid posts by
americans who have taken one trip to Thailand and are
experts all of a sudden. Power to the people !!!

Weary Thailand tourists 'just wanna go home'

Esteban, Bangkok, Thailand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:10:27 GMT

Bull. No one pays the PAD to demonstrate. I live here, as well, and have lived here for five years. The PAD have sustained their occupation of Government House since August. The crowds there have been very large on a daily basis. It would be impossible to sustain, if they were merely hired demonstrators. They protest because the PM, Somchai, is the brother-in-law of convicted former-PM Thaksin, whose corruption and greed started this whole mess. The PAD protested against the last PM, Samak, because he straight out stated that he was a proxy for Thaksin. Until Thaksin shuts up, and gets out of Thai politics completely, this will not end. And that means that he cannot exercise power behind the scenes. The PAD will not relent. The coalition that it represents has finally reached a saturation point with the historical corruption of Thai politics.