127 replies to this topic

[kliome]

Just heard it in English. They are telling everyone to go home and stay in until 6am.

[petesie]

Sounds like they are trying to minimise the backlash of angry reds....

We don't want any further fires starting as places Like Patts are a potential tinderbox that does not have the defensive infrastructure to deal with such an issue....

The reds seem set on causing as much damage to the country before they scurry off home.....

Make sure you grab a few LB's and make sure they're safe.....

[RobiSLO]

In Korat they are rioting in front of The Mall (biggest shopping mall in Isaan) and burning tires and stuff. Some of you may know I recently bought/rented some small joint inside… I just hope red f.. ers don’t try and loot The Mall or burn it to the ground, I hope Army intervene before and shoot to kill all ba..ards . I think there are enough troops in city of Korat to blow them to kingdom come… if not I’ll be there in September.

BR

[petesie]

Everything shut in Patts apart from the odd side stall selling grub...even the hotel restuarants closed....

All bars and 7-11's to be closed for 3 days....SLBT was halfway through Robin Hood when they closed down the cinema and evacuated the Central Mall.....reports of a bomb being found in Mike's Shopping Mall....Karl says a bomb went off this early evening around 2kms away....

He's had plenty calls from the girls folks asking for their return....

ATM's are not operational during curfew hours....the LB's will not be happy....

[waltz]

mofos!

Just when I've squeezed in time for a holiday. Never thought the shit would hit the fan in Pattaya thought. Patts have always beed the safe spot...

Keep us posted plz!

[Rossco]

All bars and entertainment venues closed at 7.00pm in Pattaya.

All 711/Minimart closed sometime later.

Great boost for tourism!

Many resident Farangs now discussing exit plans. Situated on holiday is very different to residency.

Banks/ATMs to be closed for a couple of days (then it is the weekend).

No real disturbances in Pattaya but not easy to get a drink. I did hear about a bomb blast in Walking Street BUT not confirmed.

A guy was shot in Soi 7 but that is normal collateral damage for Soi 7.

[mardhi]

Just heard it in English. They are telling everyone to go home and stay in until 6am.

Yes a curfew was granted late on to cover Chonburi and various other provinces. The focus of this is NOT specifically Pattaya - its Lam Chabang - the largest deepwater port in Thailand, IN Chonburi Province and KEY to Thailand's exports. Pattaya is IN Chonburi Province - therefore it has to come under the same decision.

The Police in Pattaya and everywhere else must ensure that ALL businesses close and basically people go home and DO NOT travel - that is the purpose of a curfew. Serious, yes, but what other option do they have? Bombs or similar going off and hundreds of tourists getting wiped out (aka Bali)? Its a serious move - but it is warranted IMHO - the army need to get this under control and having sex on sea functioning on steroids would become a huge potential target for some crazy guys hell bent on creating mayhem. Personally I am enouraged that the order went out - it shows leadership. If some foreigners are talking about leaving then up to them but in my place tonight, I was talking to 5 wealthy foreigners - none were even contemplating leaving and ALL thought it a good sign. A Pain in the butt for sure, but overall a good thing to do to regain control and restore law and order (well as much as Thailand ever knows it).

Cheers
Mardhi

[mardhi]

Great boost for tourism!

Many resident Farangs now discussing exit plans. Situated on holiday is very different to residency.

Banks/ATMs to be closed for a couple of days (then it is the weekend).

Err tourism is some 50% down already in a bad year - when bad new comes out - you may as well get it ALL out in one go. They cant paint some picture of everything being good when the capital is burning......

Farang on low budgets are ALWAYS talking about brighter options than Thailand - I have been living here for nearly 14 years and they were talking about it then (and then people moved from Spain, France, Cyprus etc when Euro came in - now many have gone already in pursuit of the worlds cheapest place to live - however they frankly dont ADD anything to overall revenues). Just look at GDP figure over the last 10 years - and they are legit tax paid figures - the low rent Long stay resident does NOT add value no matter what they think. Toyota pay more tax in shipping out 10 cars than these guys pay in one year through VAT.

Banks are NOT closed countrywide - they have closed all ATM's during the curfew - simply as people are NOT allowed OUT. Come 6am tomorrow morning ATM's will be working normally - I used one at 7.11pm tonight and no issue whatsoever. Banks in BKK have closed (hardly surprising with riots going on) - but in provinces they can open depending upon how they feel about safety.

Cheers
Mardhi

[triat45]

Thanks for update, Mardhi

Just spoke with tee rak in Patong - all is OK there, no curfew, no sign of troubles .... just no customers for any of the businesses (e.g. C&D only 3 BF the whole bar all night).

I agree with you - imposition of curfew shows some thoughtfulness as to planning to gain control of the situation and protect key economic assets.

I see from Bangkok Post that both Central World and Big C (opposite) are burning, and apparently some damage around Siam Paragon (but not clear whether main building). 27 buildings reported as set alight.

A curfew is the only way to get that sort of random damage under control.

[waltz]

My last trip nearly got ruined 'cause of airport closing.

I thought that when the airport closed the government would surely act - but it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

The fact that they have finally acted on the current situation I find somewhat reasuring... Maybe things will have calmed a bit till I go on my summer hunt.

[Legend]

http://www.pattayaon...a-under-curfew/