Bangkok’s reputation under threat
There is currently a days-long standoff between the government and anti-government protestors who claim the present government headed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva was supported by the military when they came to power fifteen months ago.
The protestors want the government out, and they want fresh elections called within two weeks.
Their demands may be extreme, but they are enough in their numbers that they brought the government of the country to a practical standstill in Bangkok and forced Vejajjiva and his administration to enter into talks with the leaders of the Red Shirts.
For a moment it seemed that disaster might be averted as talks of a coup occurring began to circulate through Bangkok news reports, but the talks have been unsuccessful and the Prime Minister has flatly refused to dissolve parliament and take the country to a general election.
This situation has led to tension in the capital, a tension that the faint-hearted say could become all-out violence and civil war, but the fact of the matter is that, although Thailand is prone to change of government through coups, it is not a violent country.
The 2006 coup was carried out with very little violence, and although Bangkok has been plagued by political tension and instability since then, it has not been violent. In 2008 when members of the opposition People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took control of Bangkok airport, they trapped 3000 travelers within the terminals, and caused massive travel disruption, but again there were few reports of clashes or altercations with the police and visitors from overseas caught up in the chaos praised the Thai protestors for how polite and apologetic they were.
The recent reports of anarchy-like attacks in the capital are therefore disturbing.
There have been grenade attacks on government buildings and commercial buildings such as banks, and while there have not yet been any reports of death or injury, it is a situation which can quickly escalate.
"Talking is the best way to negotiate with those who are proven not to be involved with the bombing attacks. The people who have been misled into demonstrating will at least be given the chance to sit down and talk with the government. During that time, there will be relative peace in the country,” said Buranaj Samatharak, the spokesman for the governing Democrat Party.
Ex-prime minister Banharn Silapa-Archa’s house was attacked with a grenade that exploded outside causing only minor damage and injuring one person while several similar blasts occurred outside the main gates of the Government House.
The cabinet of Prime Minister Vejajjiva has now voted to extend the Internal Security Act, which essentially places Bangkok in legislation that is akin to a state of emergency.
Bangkok has now been divided into seven districts by security forces, in order to better patrol and secure the city.
The world is watching Thailand’s capital and becoming increasingly wary of this country that relies to heavily on international tourism. This kind of violence will not spill over into civil war, but it can harm the country on the international stage.
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Bangkok’s reputation under threat
Bangkok has long-been the site of political instability for the country, but this has rarely escalated into full-scale violence, now as talks between government and protests breakdown, and acts of violence increase, the city faces a difficult situation.
There is currently a days-long standoff between the government and anti-government protestors who claim the present government headed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva was supported by the military when they came to power fifteen months ago. Read more
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