click for link
Archive for February, 2010
The Mekong: A River and a Region Transformed (from NPR)
Friday, February 19th, 2010H & B Residence in Chiang Rai
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Click for link
Possible demonstrations before, on, or after February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok today issued a Warden Message to alert Americans that political demonstrations may take place leading up to, on, or after the February 26 Supreme Court ruling on the case of former
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s financial assets. The U.S. Consulate would like to bring this message to your attention for your information and also because similar demonstrations could occur in Chiang Mai or other areas of Northern Thailand:
WARDEN MESSAGE
Warden Message: Possible demonstrations before, on, or after February 26, 2010
This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand that there are indications that political demonstrations may take place leading up to, on, or after the February 26 Supreme Court ruling on the case of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s financial assets. Over the next few weeks, U.S. citizens should pay close attention to public sources of information, including media reporting and the U.S. Embassy website, concerning events on the streets of Bangkok. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and large-scale political activities.
We wish to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the area of the demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens 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, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. The after hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.
Embassies issue travel advisories
Friday, February 19th, 2010
British Ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle.
PHUKET: — The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is warning its citizens throughout Thailand to exercise ‘great caution’ in advance of a Supreme Court ruling on the fate of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s 76 billion baht in seized assets.
A statement posted on the FCO’s website and signed by British Ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle reads as follows:
“The political situation in Thailand is tense and uncertain. British citizens should exercise great caution throughout Thailand and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people that might turn violent. It is likely that there will be mass protests by anti-government demonstrators in and around Bangkok. A court decision due on 26 February 2010 is a potential flashpoint. If, as is quite possible, anti-government protests turn violent, British citizens should stay indoors and monitor the media and this website.”
The foreign services of a number of other nations have posted similar advice on their websites.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advises its citizens “to exercise a high degree of caution because of the high threat of terrorist attack and because of political instability in Thailand.”
The US State Department advises its citizens to avoid any large public gatherings.
“All demonstrations are unpredictable, and any demonstration can turn violent without warning,” it says.
Photos of the Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Chiang Mai Flower Festival Beauty Pageant
