OK, I screwed up. There was no curfew last night. I blame a previously reliable source, the sort of "pal" who confirms to The Sun that someone out of Girls Aloud is going out with someone who was on Microcelebrity Arse Wax Uncut.
Anyway, Bangkoup seems to be back to its smelly, noisy self, with a few exceptions. There are armed troops patrolling some of the big road intersections, while the regular traffic cops put their feet up. The latter aren't happy with the situation, since they're unable to follow their usual routine of approaching drivers for, um, contributions towards the police benevolent fund. There are some good pics at 2bangkok; and RLP is in town, so expect more pungent analysis soon.
On a slightly less tanks-and-soldiers-heavy note, James Blue Cat reminded me how good this is:
One to ponder the next time we see Dr House doodling on his Bechstein as he broods on his secret longing for Wilson.
Showing posts with label coup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coup. Show all posts
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
From our own correspondent
If you can be arsed, check out my hastily thrown-together Comment is free piece.
What did you do in the war, Timmy?
Thanks again, all of you, for your messages and good vibes. There's a slightly edgy air, as a lot of shops are boarded up, and there are armed troops on street corners. 3,000 reinforcements are coming into BKK from the provinces. I just popped out to load up on water, noodles and chocolate, and everything seemed pretty normal, although shoppers seemed to be hoarding a bit.
On the positive side, not a shot has been fired in anger (as far as we know) and Gen Sonthi, the coup leader, has declared that he'll hand over the reins to a civilian within a fortnight. The general consensus in the city is that it's unfortunate and slightly embarrassing that the army's moved in, as everyone thought the country had moved past that (there have been about 17 since 1932, but the last one up to now was 14 years ago); but if this was the only way to get PM Thaksin and his cronies out, so be it. The guy had, after all, resorted to faking assassination attempts against himself to bolster support.
Key questions now are:
1. How will this play in the countryside and Chiang Mai, where Thaksin's electoral support is concentrated? And what about the pockets of support he has within the military?
2. How will this affect the South, where separatist bombing campaigns have killed hundreds of people in the last two years?
3. What will HM the King do and say?
4. What will Thaksin do? He's almost certainly heading back to his groovy pad in South Ken right now, so feel free to ask him if you see him. He's the one with the amusingly cuboid head and the slightly aggrieved look.
On the positive side, not a shot has been fired in anger (as far as we know) and Gen Sonthi, the coup leader, has declared that he'll hand over the reins to a civilian within a fortnight. The general consensus in the city is that it's unfortunate and slightly embarrassing that the army's moved in, as everyone thought the country had moved past that (there have been about 17 since 1932, but the last one up to now was 14 years ago); but if this was the only way to get PM Thaksin and his cronies out, so be it. The guy had, after all, resorted to faking assassination attempts against himself to bolster support.
Key questions now are:
1. How will this play in the countryside and Chiang Mai, where Thaksin's electoral support is concentrated? And what about the pockets of support he has within the military?
2. How will this affect the South, where separatist bombing campaigns have killed hundreds of people in the last two years?
3. What will HM the King do and say?
4. What will Thaksin do? He's almost certainly heading back to his groovy pad in South Ken right now, so feel free to ask him if you see him. He's the one with the amusingly cuboid head and the slightly aggrieved look.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
a legal matter, baby
Can anyone explain the difference between martial law (which the army's declared) and a state of emergency (which the PM's called)? Which is better? Is it like Top Trumps?
God, the World Service is rubbish.
(Nismes-Desclous 1976 Armagnac, however, is very nice. Shall I have another, or a cup of tea. Oh, all right then.)
Everyone's saying that a military coup will be lousy for business and tourism, but since there's been no effective government for most of the year, I'm not so sure.
Oh Christ, I'm just listening to GWB's speech to the UN. Why does he always sound as if he's about to blub like a gurl?
God, the World Service is rubbish.
(Nismes-Desclous 1976 Armagnac, however, is very nice. Shall I have another, or a cup of tea. Oh, all right then.)
Everyone's saying that a military coup will be lousy for business and tourism, but since there's been no effective government for most of the year, I'm not so sure.
Oh Christ, I'm just listening to GWB's speech to the UN. Why does he always sound as if he's about to blub like a gurl?
latest
All foreign-language TV has been suspended. Can get World Service on shortwave. Internet seems OK for the moment at least. Thaksin due to address the UN in the next few hours.
People have been advised to stay at home, except when they need to go to work. Hardly sounds like a state of emergency. More like a train strike.
Rain's calmed down a bit.
Just been listening to the Guillemots album. It's rather good, actually.
People have been advised to stay at home, except when they need to go to work. Hardly sounds like a state of emergency. More like a train strike.
Rain's calmed down a bit.
Just been listening to the Guillemots album. It's rather good, actually.
May you live in interesting times...
Blimey, looks as if there's a military coup going on here. PM Thaksin's called a state of emergency, and has ordered the military not to do anything illegal, but he's in NYC. There are troops in govt house.
News media has been replaced by patriotic songs. And it's pissing down.
Will attempt to place updates, although I'm relying pretty much on the BBC at the moment, so you probably know as much as I do.
News media has been replaced by patriotic songs. And it's pissing down.
Will attempt to place updates, although I'm relying pretty much on the BBC at the moment, so you probably know as much as I do.
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