Bangkok a ghost town (The BKK Post)

Bangkok became a ghost town on Monday following a pre-dawn crackdown
by the army on red-shirt protesters and violent clashes throughout the
day
by Post Reporters
Published: 13/04/2009 at 11:50 PM


Black smoke filled parts of the city sky as demonstrators set fire to
buses and tyres in protest against the morning action by the military
at Din Daeng.

The streets of Bangkok, which are usually full of Songkran revellers
splashing water on passersby and motorists, were almost empty even on
suburban roads not affected by the civil strife.

Most bus stops were deserted as buses changed routes to avoid road
blockades. They were available until 9pm only. Some 10 Bangkok
department stores and cinemas were closed despite the Songkran
long-holiday when people flock to shopping malls.

Shopping malls closed yesterday included Siam Paragon, Gaysorn Plaza,
CentralWorld, Central Chidlom, MBK Department store and Siam
Discovery. Central Lat Phrao and Major Cineplex Ratchayothin, located
in the northern part of Bangkok, were shuttered, as were gold shops
and petrol and gas stations in areas hit by violence.

Kritcharat Hiranyasiri, vice secretary-general of the Gold Trade
Society, said more than half of the gold shops in Yaowarat, or
Bangkok’s China town, had closed as the situation had deteriorated.
"If the government can't get the situation under control by Thursday,
the first working day after Songkran, our business will be badly hit
because such political instability will hurt consumer confidence," Mr
Kritcharat said.

Surat Wongchansilp, chairman of Khao San Road entrepreneurs, announced
the cancellation of Songkran festival activities to safeguard
tourists.

Sanam Luang, which is usually packed with Buddhists who come to pay
homage to the sacred Phra Buddha Sihing image on Songkran day, was
almost empty. Thanet Yoomungmee, who came to pay homage yesterday to
the Buddha image at Sanam Luang, said he had never seen so few people
at this time of year. He said he asked the sacred Buddha image to
bless the city with peace and unity.

On Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:35:07 GMT, (Magnus) wrote:

Bangkok became a ghost town on Monday following a pre-dawn crackdown
by the army on red-shirt protesters and violent clashes throughout the
day
by Post Reporters
Published: 13/04/2009 at 11:50 PM


Mort the News Hawk - A day late and a dollar short.

It isn't the 13th any more, it is the 14th here in Bangkok and the TV
is showing live coverage of the city. No smoke, and crowds of people
who are displaying extremely bad feelings toward the Red shirts.

One shot shows two red shirted women haranguing a crowd of civilians.
the civilians are screaming back and eventually attack the red shirts
who are rescued by the army.

Of course, Mort doesn't want to listen to any stories like this. He
might begin to believe that his heroes, the Red Shirts are wrong in
their attempted revolution.

What is the saying? "None so blind as those who refuse to see"?

cheers,

Schweik
(goodsoldierschweikatgmaildotcom)