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Post by exoticimports on May 22, 2014 7:57:13 GMT -8
Well, another military coup. Like most, I expect this to be another soft coup. But like always, everything comes to a halt, the economy effectively stands still, and new people with new agendas come in. Doing business in Thailand is like having your computer auto-reboot every couple hours!
Well Adam, what's next?
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Post by Adam Cotton on May 29, 2014 6:50:18 GMT -8
Are you out here too? I thought you were in the USA.
Indeed, coups in Thailand (I've lived through 4 of them since 1981) are generally completely bloodless, although there have been a couple of bloody incidents as a result of demonstrations against military rule in the past (1976 and 1992).
What's next is probably a process of rewriting the Constitution, apparently in such a way that no one party can win an outright majority in Parliament, which is what has happened ever since Thaksin was re-elected the first time.
Meanwhile the military will run the country and try to mend the large ideological gap between the red and yellow shirt factions. That will be very difficult as there is a lot more than just 'peasants vs elite' involved behind the differing viewpoints.
Adam.
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Post by eric17 on Jun 2, 2014 2:57:30 GMT -8
I hope that will be quiet next month coz i, my thai wife and our kids will spend our holidays in the "isan" village of my family in law.
By the way i think that "farangs" (and most of thai people) can't and don't understand the political situation of this country...
Eric.
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Post by exoticimports on Jun 3, 2014 11:13:46 GMT -8
No, I'm in USA now. Of course I have to keep an eye on what's going on. I'd have no problem going to Thailand now, except that the night markets in BKK are closed. Despite warnings from governments, I find that times of strife are the best times to visit a country.
I feel for the Thai people. And I see the arguments of both sides. It's a shame though that the country can't stabilize, and hasn't since the 1998 economic crash. Of course, USA is headed in the same direction.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 3, 2014 13:37:01 GMT -8
Everything is fine here, no problems and no danger at all for tourists. They announced that they will probably lift the midnight to 4am curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui in the next few days, maybe other tourist areas as well. Military rule has actually stopped all the violence between the opposing political factions here, so it is safer than it was - not that it is really ever unsafe here, it's probably safer than many western countries! Eric - my wife is also from Isan, Udon Thani in fact. Here's a photo of us with our 3 year old son Jeffrey (Astle's reincarnation!) taken in January:  Adam. |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 3, 2014 13:47:32 GMT -8
By the way i think that "farangs" (and most of thai people) can't and don't understand the political situation of this country... Eric. It is very complex, and there is a lot more behind it all than is immediately obvious, some of which can definitely not be posted in a public forum or even spoken in private. Adam. |
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Post by eric17 on Jun 3, 2014 22:12:39 GMT -8
Congratulations, u have a nice family khun Adam.
I guess Astle was an english footballer...
My wife comes from the north of Chaiyaphum district.
And indeed, it's better for u who live there to keep silent about thai politic (here in Paris it's a bit more free). When i travel there i keep silent too (by the way my thai and my lao are so poor... 555).
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Post by exoticimports on Jun 4, 2014 6:42:25 GMT -8
By the way i think that "farangs" (and most of thai people) can't and don't understand the political situation of this country... Eric. It is very complex, and there is a lot more behind it all than is immediately obvious, some of which can definitely not be posted in a public forum or even spoken in private. Adam. What a wonderful family Adam! LOL, all politics are complex, moreso because they are done behind the scenes. Doesn't matter where you are, opening your mouth can get you a "heart attack" or "car accident." Just ask Vincent Foster or Lee Harvey Oswald, oh you can't they got dead before they could talk. |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Jun 4, 2014 7:25:58 GMT -8
What a wonderful family Adam! LOL, all politics are complex, moreso because they are done behind the scenes. Doesn't matter where you are, opening your mouth can get you a "heart attack" or "car accident." Just ask Vincent Foster or Lee Harvey Oswald, oh you can't they got dead before they could talk. Thank you for the compliments on my family. If any of you are ever in Chiang Mai please do say hello, all Insectnet people are most welcome. Unfortunately in Thailand there are laws with very heavy penalties for saying the wrong thing about certain subjects. Most normal issues can be discussed freely, but not certain topics, which are not exactly political in the normal sense. I will say no more on this issue as it would not be wise to possibly jeopardise my status here. Adam. |
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