State of emergency: What life is really like in Bangkok

CNN ^ | 4/8/10 | Newley Purnell

[Kartographer]

Bangkok is under a government imposed state of emergency after red-clad protesters stormed the parliament compound on Wednesday, forcing some lawmakers to flee via helicopter. It was the latest -- and most provocative -- move by the anti-government demonstrators, who are trying to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and force elections.

The state of emergency is designed to give the army enforced powers to disperse the protesters. But it's unclear when that will happen.

[Kartographer]

A glimpse into our future?

[Jack Hammer]

‘What life is really like in Bangkok’

Chiangmai’s a lot prettier and Pattaya’s a lot more fun.

Ah, to be young again...

[LongElegantLegs]

I stayed in Nakkhon si Thammarat and visited Phuket a few years before the Tsunami...It’s an amazing country.

[theDentist]

Thailand?

[Kartographer]

Yes

[Pajama Blogger]

What about the super hot Thai bar girls?

[Kartographer]

With the prevalence of HIV in country I suggest you take the Thai Minister of Health suggestion and just stay home and drink rat poison.

[dfwgator]

I heard that one night there and the world’s your oyster.

[Jack Hammer]

Gorgeous. And the food. The people. The culture. The climate. A big fave.

[Pajama Blogger]

Gave rat poison up for Lent.

[madamemayhem]

not much between despair and ecstasy, i can feel an angel walking next to me.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Kartographer, you haven’t been here long enough to have seen the original “Thailand?” thread.

So here goes....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1684872/posts

thedentist, I see you were # 15.

[theDentist]

I see you were # 15.

Yes... forgive me.. I'm fat.

[ThanhPhero]

You can find “super hot bar girls” in Chicago without the price of the air fare. If that is what you seek then why waste time and money going to Thailand? You can get every bit of it in Atlantic City or Los Angeles or Des Moines.There are benjoditches everywhere and lots cheaper than going to Thailand for them.

[Pajama Blogger]

Girls in Chicago and Des Moines tend to be “corn fed”. If....you know what I mean. Thai is Thai

[ThanhPhero]

It doesn't matter. If you want HIV and NSUs and the more traditional gifts you can get them anywhere on earth, certainly much closer to home without travel expenses. I think of the old soldiers who go to Việt Nam and hang out in bars and, at most, go see old and eradicated battlefields. They learn nothing and they see nothing useful and spend a lot of money. I appreciate the money they leave there but do not understand the motivations at all. Once you have had 3 drinks what does it matter what the girl's background is? Your alcoholic vision makes her anything you like. And if prestige demands that the girls be Thai, well, you can get that in Chicago or LA, too.

[steveo]

they’re men man...

[killjoy]

What the article doesn't talk about is the extreme censorship which has been taking place since the current government took power and especially in the past few days. The government has shut down all opposition websites and cut satellite broadcasting for the station that has been broadcasting the protests. This is in direct violation of the Thai Constitution.

Remember the protesters are simply asking for parliament to be dissolved and new elections to be held. The Prime Minister legally has the power to do this under the Thai Constitution but refuses.

[Cindy]

OSAC.gov - Conuslar Affairs Bulletins - Report - Thailand: "Warden Message: CHIANG MAI (THAILAND) WARNS OF SONGKRAN TRAFFIC, EXPLOSIVES, AND PROTESTS" (April 8, 2010)

OSAC.gov - Consular Affairs Bulletins - Report - Thailand: "Warden Message: THAILAND DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY" (April 7, 2010)

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1998.html

Travel Alert

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
This information is current as of today, Tue Apr 13 2010 02:08:06 GMT-0700 (PDT).

THAILAND

April 12, 2010

[colorado tanker]

If you keep your gun holstered and avoid the red light districts (which are small and off the main roads) you have no worries.