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Bangkok on the brink
The declaration yesterday of a state of emergency in greater Bangkok has red shirt protestors on a collision course with the Thai army.
The red shirts have blockaded the Thai capital’s main tourist and shopping area, an act that is taunting the government to use its emergency powers.
Four major shopping malls – Gaysorn, Amarin Plaza, Erawan Bangkok and CentralWorld – and at least seven hotels – InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Four Seasons, Centara Grand, Novotel Siam Square and Renaissance – are being disrupted by the protests, according to local news reports.
Many guests have rebooked themselves into other hotels to avoid the protests.
Travel Impact Newswire executive editor, Imitaz Muqbil, who yesterday toured the area and spoke to red shirt protestors, said: “Hundreds of the protestors are poor provincial folk, many of whom have never come to Bangkok and are easily manipulated by people with their own hidden agendas.”
He said: “A key question is now how this is going to end?”
“So far, things are being done in a typical Thai-style, with short-term pain being preferred over long-term gain. However, the red-shirts are losing patience and becoming more agitated and confrontational.
“The heat is not helping calm tempers. It is a very delicate situation.”
Phil Davies
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