Posted on 02/02/2006 10:41:28 AM PST by killjoy
Attention American Citizens:
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) authorities have confirmed that a large demonstration is expected to occur in the area of the King Rama 5 statue, Rajdamneon Avenue, near Sanam Luang and Government House in Bangkok on Saturday, February 4. Police estimate up to 100,000 people will gather in an anti-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin demonstration headed by Sonthi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai government critic. The crowd will include several diverse groups of demonstrators and is expected to start assembling in the morning with no announced starting or ending times. Organizers have not indicated a marching route, should they leave the area.
Bangkok demonstrations are usually peaceful in nature, but all demonstrations are unpredictable and conditions can change unexpectedly. The RTP has indicated that 2,000 - 3,000 police officers will be on hand to maintain public order. There are concerns that anti-Sonthi groups may attempt to confront the demonstrators, which could lead to violence. For this reason, please do not approach the demonstrators.
The Embassy encourages all Americans to avoid this area. Should you find yourself in or near the demonstrators, move indoors for shelter until the demonstration has passed, or ask for police assistance to leave the area. While the demonstration is not expected to pass near U.S. Embassy facilities, Embassy entrances and functions may be restricted depending on circumstances.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
--US Embassy, Bangkok, 2006-02-02
If anyone is in Bangkok this weekend, I suggest staying away from the area.
Ping about the upcoming protests in Bangkok.
Thank you. I don't plan on being there until April so I'll not be directly effected.
What are they pissed off about now?
There is a very comprehensive overview of what is going on at:
LOL! I have a dream... that someday I will wake up and my GF will have fixed me scrambled eggs without either fish sauce or soy sauce mixed in.
No, thankfully. She is a central girl so the chilies are used sparingly.
Freaky eggs?
No, not freaky. He meant bird droppings peppers, but left off the bird part.
Sorry, I meant Mouse......
In the past year, I've had an absolute riot learning how to cook this way. I make all my pastes by scratch with mortar and pestle. We've made a variety of pork/beef/seafood/chicken stirfries, coconut milk curries, rice noodle dishes, salads, and dipping sauces. Lots of fun, lots of bold flavors but very sophisticated at the same time.
Son Lim (why hide the real name?) is something that even Thaksin Shin (also being real here) cannot be. While Thaksin Shin is conflicted about being ethnically Chinese and nationally Thai, Son Lim overtly kowtows to the PLA savages and if he rises to power, will complete the process of transformation of Muang Thai into a Chinese vassal state, poste haste. Maybe a coup would not be all that bad. Maybe Muang Thai really cannot handle its democratic system.
Thanks, kj. Got the embassy's eMail, too. -- B A
Things might get interesting. I have not had a single conversation since I got back a week ago that has not centered on Khun Thaksin's 73 billion baht -- tax free-- telecom deal. Well, tomarrow is the day and the TV news is sure not to carry much about it.
Just made a Maesri Masaman beef curry last night. We've just started doing this in the last couple months, amazing how fast it comes together, and a good change from wifey's regular Vietnamese fare.
Ha. Prik khee in Vietnamese is "ot gai" and nam pla is the ubquitous "nuoc mam." Wifey has been putting nuoc mam into my omelettes for years (along with other secret ingredients), but after a lengthy trip to Thailand I became addicted to the little side dish of prik nam pla with the eggs. When we went over to VN the local bistro soon figured out that Mr. American's daily fare was one bacon omelette (best in the world), one baguette (better than Paris bread), black coffee, a bottle of water, and a small dish of "nuoc mam ot gai" on the side.
Yum. Addictive.
For some reason it's just not the same here in the States, and not a daily requirement.
I will probably be spending tomorrow again with some of the Police units. Hopefully they will not be needed and everything will end peacefully. If there is trouble, it is going to get very messy.
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