Anything manifest?
 

It's manifest that the subject is deemed sensitive, maybe too much so for this forum, but I'm wondering if recent events have manifested any effects in Silom, Suriwong, Patpong, or other popular districts. Are security forces, businesses, or customers acting any differently there?

No.

I was out tonight and saw nothing unusual.

-- Y'day., (13th.), midday I walked safely from SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA, (BTS.Sala Daeng, [S2.],), to the FOUR SEASONS' HOTEL, (BTS. R'damri., [S1.],), and was neither molested nor witnessed any untoward events; if anything the tfc. was the lightest that I had seen for a v. long time.
-- Then, in the evening, my tee rak & I went to BALCONY BAR in Si Lom 4., again nothing untoward was witnessed.
- Both BALCONY & the TELEPHONE BARS were v. busy - this would be around 21.30.hrs. & later. Maybe a case of: 'Eat, drink and be merry ... .'?
- But these may be early days yet in the ongoing progress of red-shirted events!

-- Today, (19th.), early forenoon I walked from P. Pong to the Main PO. on Charoen Krung and back again.
- Many police sleeping, sitting-down, eating and generally relaxing were seen; also a score or so, black clad, in full riot gear with batons & shields seen outside one of the banks.
-- Later on I walked to SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA.
- In Tnn. Si Lom both men in riot-gear and armed troops, (tear-gas & bullet-firing weapons.),. Coils of barbed-wire either still coiled-up or pulled-out across some parts of the side-walks. Humvees, Black Marias, (aka. Paddy Wagons.), vehs. with water-cannons etc. etc., mostly parked along the sois.
- Many tps. resting in the sois leading OFF of Tnn. Si Lom.
- 'buses., (some of wch. have been re-routed.), BTS. & MRT. still running normally.

-- In the evening, (approx. 19.oo.hrs.), I walked back from SCSP..
- Quite a few tps. packing-up and returning to their barracks - or so it seemed.
- But many tps. still in pos'n. along the skywalk from BTS. Sala Daeng to MRT. Silom; a tall screen erected along the bridge across Tnn. Si Lom to stop people looking-at the red-shirts who'd CLOSED Tnn. R'damri., (sometimes it's an advantage to be tall!),.
- Quite a few tps. shopping in FOODLAND in PP2., (possibly the usual story af Army rations - ha!),.
-- In PP1. no Night Mkt.!
- In PP2. many girlie bars CLOSED!

-- I noticed that many of the tps. appeared to be quite young still, with not a few, (judging from their faces.), seeming to be apprehensive.

-- E&OE.. --

Surprising that the night market was closed. Less surprising that the girlie bars were closed. What about the gay establishments in Silom Soi 4 and elsewhere in Patpong?

I read in tiny Wall Street Journal article that Silom is now an area of concern for the army--especially Bangkok Bank (which is now protected with barbed-wire, etc.) because the protesters think that bank is in with the government.

[quote=wantasian;676912]
I read in tiny Wall Street Journal article that Silom is now an area of concern for the army--especially Bangkok Bank, (which is now protected with barbed-wire, etc.), because the protesters think that bank is in with the government. [/QUOTE

-- Y'day., (19th.), forenoon I made a special trip to the HQ. of the BBL. - 333, Tnn. Si Lom, Khet Bang rak - to see for myself.
- True that there were a few mil'y. vehs. parked in Soi Phipat, (Silom 3.), but from the main rd. all I saw were some of the usual & portable steel barriers ready to be deployed along the side-walk, if needed; and a few armed & mil'y. gds. standing in the gen'l. area of the Bank's main ent'ce.. But possibly reserves were hidden-away, OUT of sight from the street?
- I was surprised at the gen'l. lack of obvious mil'y. strength.
-- Reportedly Gen. Prem - one of the thought-to-be upholders of the status quo ante bellum has his account with BBL.; and, or so I believe, was a member of its Board, (but please do not quote me on that as I've not verified it.),.

-- Today, (20th.), forenoon I walked to BBL's. HQ. on Tnn. Si Lom:
- The yellow & portable barriers were strung-out along the side-walk in front of the outer wall, but a gap to allow tfc. In & OUT; a 2nd. row of similar barriers erected just in front of the Bank's plate-glass windows, with a gap by the revolving door.
- Several white & police pick-ups parked in the forecourt; a couple or so mil'y. Humvees parked alongside in Soi Phipat;
- No obvious signs of armed soldiers; just a few of the usual & civilian sec. gds. visible.

-- I'd say that there are MORE armed tps. along Tnn. Si Lom than y'day., just a few of whom were wearing red berets; noted several mil'y. vehs. prominently marked with red crosses, PLUS maybe 30 or so unarmed soldiers with red cross brasards.
- Razor wire either still coiled-up or pulled-out across the side-walk in several places.

-- Leaving SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA at around 12.oo. nn. I saw that the SkyWalk between BTS. S. Daeng & MRT. Silom was CLOSED to civilians.
- A few shops along Tnn. Si Lom CLOSED; not all that many happy eaters seen in SECRET RECIPE, BUG & BEE and COFFEE SOCIETY.
- At one time a mil'y. veh. crewed by red bereted soldiers was driven along Tnn. Si Lom - someone or other aboard was making a PA. announcement;
- A large crowd of spectators & voyeurs at the Rama IV.: R'damri. i'sect.; but, apart from that, rd. tfc.,('buses., taxis., tuk-tuks etc. etc.), flowing normally along Rama IV. & Si Lom rds..
- Quite strong police-presences outside BAILEY'S HOTEL on Tnn. Si Lom and the J. THOMPSON shop on Tnn. Suriwong.

-- I walked through Soi Twilight: just a few massage boyz sitting-out in the shade. The ME. rest't. and DICK'S CAFE were OPEN for business.

-- We'll see what later-on will bring?

-- E&OE.. --

-- Today, (20th.) evening tee rak & I went for our usual evening's stroll in LUMPINI PARK.; we walked along Tnn. Si Lom on the DUSIT THANI HOTEL's side and crossed-over Tnn. Rama IV. under the watchful gaze of several red shirted traffic marshals.
- The red shirts have been busy erecting two palisades of sharpened bamboo stakes: the first is just back a few steps from the kerbside and the 2nd. is maybe a couple of yds. inside the first one; the ent'ce. that's between them can be CLOSED quite quickly with portable barriers and other objects. Many red shirts were seen to be walking-around & carrying sharpened bamboo stakes.
- We left the PARK at around 19.oo.hrs. as tee rak had to catch the BTS. to SURASAK, (S5.),.

-- Walking along Tnn. Suriwong I saw that the evening looked to be getting under way as usual in Soi Twilight; PP2. seemed to have many bars OPEN; PP1. is still without its Night Mkt., but bars & shops in the street-side bldgs. are OPEN , (at the S'wong. end the mil'y. had CLOSED it to veh. tfc. but pedestrians were being allowed IN for business and/or pleasure.) - life goes on!

Many thanks for these continuing reports.

- Today, (21st.), morning I thought fewer armed tps. Along Tnn. Si Lom than y'day.?
- Strung-out, beneath BTS. Sala Daeng, (S2.), were a [u]couple of banners[/ U] directed at Khun Taksin: one advising him that did he consider himself to be innocent then he should return to face a fair trial; the other saying that there would be full, fair & d'cratic. elections in TH. next time around. (NB. - these are not written verbatim et literatim but Words to the effect., giving the gen'l. sense of the messages),. They were removed later-on during the day. (Query: 'Being posted at SALA DAENG and written in Thai & in English to whom would they be addressed?' - Printer's Devil. ;-) ),.

*- In the evening SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA CLOSED suddenly & unexpectedly just after 18.05.hrs. - no reason given-out to the shoppers.
*- However, most of the poor but honest side-walk vendors along Tnn. Si Lom continued to erect their stalls, apparently quite unconcerned.

**- E & OE .. -.

-- From info. passed-on to me by another farang:
1.- Y'day.,(21st.), evening in Silom 4. all bars voluntarily agreed to CLOSE at 23.oo.hrs.;
2.- Today, (22nd.), he walked along Tnn. Si Lom at 02.oo.hrs. and noted that -
2.1.- The mil'y had sealed-off Tnn. Si Lom to veh. tfc. from Soi Convent to Tnn. Rama IV., but were allowing pedestrians through;
2.2.- At the DUSIT THANI's corner there was a small crowd of yellow shirted individuals who were swapping verbal insults with their red shirt counterparts on the opposite side; a few & non-lethal missiles were being exchanged.
-- E&OE. as reported speech.

-- Today, (22nd.), I left SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA at around 12.30.hrs. and both heard & saw a multitude of people being harangued by some strident & screech owl type of oratrix, to tumultuous cheers from a crowd many of whom were carrying Thai flags, several others were waving yellow flags.
- No undue numbers of tps. seen in Tnn. Thaniya, (aka. Little JP.),. However, tps. quite obviously present in both PP1., (where the ent'ce had been partly sealed-off.), and in PP2., (soldiers sitting-down and apparently more at ease.),. A small knot of tps. standing by nr. the PP1. branch of the K'korn. Bank.

-- Today, (22nd.), a'noon., fearing lest BTS. SALA DAENG, (S2.), might be CLOSED, (it was not.), I took the SkyTrain from BTS. CHONG NONSI, (S3.), to BTS. ON NUT, (E9.),.
- Passing over the R'PRASONG.'SECT. I observed that Tnn. R'damri. from the i'sect. to just beyond the 1st. pedestrian o'bridge., (opp. CENTRALWORLD.), was covered by black sun-netting: a useful. & dual role of protecting the red shirted demonstrators from the sun and of hindering the prying eyes of their opponents.

-- On returning I de-trained at BTS. PLOEN CHIT, (E2.), so as to see the scene for myself.
-- At the PC. I'SECT. a couple of HGVs., (Hy. Goods' Vehs.), are drawn-up across the rd. by the central divide and are backed-up by piles of large & industrial sized tyres - leaving just about a lane and an half for veh. tfc. on either side. On either side were another couple of HGVs. ready to block-off any openings if needed. Several bamboo barriers are positioned to be put into pos'n. quickly.
-- At the RUAM RUDEE I'SECT. both carriageways are CLOSED to veh. tfc. by MORE HGVs. wch. are protected by large & stuffed bags of whatever - there being enough space for m/cycles. From then onwards on both sides two lanes are taken-up by tents, stalls and suchlike - the stalls selling food, memorabilia, momentoes, souvenirs and so on and so forth.
-- At the R'PRASONG.'SECT. a large crowd listening to some orator, whose tones were LESS strident and MORE measured than those that I heard at noon. from the oratrix outside SILOM COMPLEX. I walked as far as SIAM P'GON. and observed that the POLICE GEN'L. HOSP. was OPEN for ped. tfc., (possibly for ambulances, too?), and saw several red shirts giving water etc. to those on duty there; however, the POLICE HQ. was CLOSED, the gates being backed-up by coils of razor-wire.
- I walked along Tnn. R'damri. to its i'sect. with Tnn. Rmam IV.; every so often were the std. & yellow painted metal barriers manned by red shirts' guards. A general air of quiet relaxation, I thought, with people apparently awaiting events with the in-born patience of country folk who, being attuned to Mother Nature's cycle, realize that some things cannot be hurried.

-- Crossing Tnn. Rama IV. to the DUSIT THANI HTL's. side was a different story: a large crowd waving both Thai and yellow flags, displaying placards & other posters and blocking the sidewalks and most of the carriageways.
- SILOM COMPLEX SHOPPING PLAZA had boarded-up its veh. ent'ce./exit on Tnn. Si Lom; farther along were notices announcing that it would CLOSE at 20.oo.hrs. today.

-- Most of the usual stalls set-out along Tnn. Si Lom.
- Silom 4. appeared to be mostly OPEN; I did not enter and check.
- PP2. was OPEN for business as usual; outide the S&M. BAR BAR several of the dominatrices were chatting with and amusing a small gp. of soldiers.
- PP1. Night Mkt. was MORE or LESS back in business, but with MORE soldiers than shoppers, I thought; at its S'wong. rd. end it was CLOSED by steel & portable barriers, but pedestrian tfc. was being allowed ent'ce./exit.

-- My tee rak has just visited, (20.30.hrs.), and told me that he heard three detonations and that the BTS. was CLOSED.

-- While the palisades built of sharpened & of bamboo stakes might be the country-persons' equivalent of barbed wire and suffice to restrain water-buffaloes, yet I do have my doubts as to their efficacity against a mechanized army. But they might serve to delay, and time is often a vital component in mil'y. planning: as the Corsican gen'l. Bounaparte allegedly said: 'Ask of me anything but time.'.

Bombs in Silom
 

This just come in on the wire...
"Four bombs exploded on Silom Road not far from the red-shirts' rally site on Thursday night, injuring at least 10 people including a male foreigner, police said.

The grenades were believed to be fired from M79 grenade launchers.

The first three explosions took place at around 8pm, injuring three men.

One of the grenades hit Sala Daeng skytrain station, injuring a skytrain passenger. Another bomb went off at Thaniya Road, injuring the male foreigner.

All of the injured were rushed to Bangkok Christian Hospital.

The explosions took place after 8pm"

Lets all cruisers are safely ensconced 'en hong nam'!

Even after Thursday night's "red shirt" grenade attacks at Sala Daeng, one news report said Patpong girlie bars were still operating, though other reports said they had few customers.

-- Today, (23rd. - St. George's Day!), forenoon tee rak & I walked along Tnn. Si Lom.
- By Soi 6 SCB. was CLOSED;
- UNITED CENTRE was CLOSED;
- CP. TOWER was OPEN;
- SILOM COMPLEX was CLOSED - 'Out of concern for our customers' safety.';
- BTS. Silom Line was CLOSED;
- FASHION OUTLET & TOPS S'MKT., (ex- Robinsons.), CLOSED;
- Various other shops & outlets CLOSED;

- It was at AU BON PAIN, nr. to DUSIT THANI HTL. that there was a scrum of media types, many grovelling on their stomachs taking photos. of a couple of red roses at the top of the steps leading in to the shop for all the world as though they were on some Nat'l. Geog. mission to capture some rare and once-in-a-lifetime flower or rare insect; or possibly they aspired to be Pulitzer Prize wannabees?
- Fewer armed soldiers, I thought, but of those that carried fire-arms many had magazines in place.
- But many MORE riot-gear & black clad police - batons & shields; possibly in response to some criticism that they were too slow to respond to y'day's troubles? Even saw several police officers; but mil'y. offrs., (unless they're not shewing their insignia or marks of preferment), appear to be very, very few & far between. Few civilians seen on the side-walks; but several sellers of Thai & of yellow flags, ribbons in the Thai nat'l. colors and other similar items.
- Acros Tnn. Rama IV., at the start of Tnn. R'damri., the red shirts appeared to have strengthened their defences considerably - mainly with large & industrial sized tyres.
- General thought is lack of the BKK. equivalent to London's Blitz Spirit.

-- Today, (23rd.), around mid-a'noon. I walked from Phat Pong1., Tnn. Suriwong end, around to PP1., Tnn. Si Lom end, by way of Tnn. Rama IV..
- At that time, and clearly visible to me, were approx. 400 black clad Riot Police and some 100 soldiers - the riot police were centred by the PAN PACIFIC HTL. and along Tnn. Si Lom from the DUSIT THANI HTL.; The mil'y. were lower-down along Tnn. Si Lom, (ie. leaving first contact, should the red shirts decide to sally forth from their stronghold, to the Riot Police.),.
- Along Tnn. Si Lom AU BON PAIN was having its windows boarded-up, the bank next door was having a metal screen erected in front of it and SILOM COMPLEX was having plyboards covered by metal erected in front of it and along the side-walk. SILCOM. may re-open on 26th.?
- In CP. TOWER several shops & outlets CLOSED.
- Around 17.30.hrs. MORE soldiers were on Tnn. Si Lom, and were shooing-away pedestrians to walk-away from Tnn. Rama IV..
- Not so many poor but honest side-walk vendors seen setting-out their wares.

-- Even as I write this, (240853hrs.), it's raining: just enough to dampen the rhetoric and to cool the hot-heads.
- Looking-out the soi is quite empty, with no signs of life visible. The half-a-dozen or so soldiers who've been around for the last few days are are all under shelter.
- Possibly some of the fainter hearted red shirts might be pondering upon the benefits of exchanging their acc'n. in I-San for that offered here in BKK.?
- The usual & early morning b'fast. providers were selling their wares quite briskly o'side. BKK. XTN. HOSP'L..

-- Around 12.nn. tee rak & I walked along Tnn. Si Lom:
- SILCOM. CLOSED, but might RE-OPEN tomorrow, (25th.]?
- Riot clad police piquets on both sides by the DUSIT THANI HTL.;
- A few & small food-outlets OPEN;
- FASHION OUTLET, MC.CAFE & TOPS, (ex-Robinson's.], OPEN;
-- As for Tnn. Suriwong:
-Small gp. of riot police o'side. the JIM THOMPSON shop;
- Small gps. of armed soldiers at both P. Pongs.!;
- K'KORN. BANK, by P. Pong 1., OPEN;
- A few of the side-walk food-vendors were selling their wares, few takers;

-- BTS. Silom Line reported to be running between Chong Nonsi, (S3.], and Wongwian Yai, (S8.];
- MRT. reported to be running between QSNCC. & Bang Sue.
- 'buses. running in both dir'ns. along Tnn. Rama IV. & Si Lom;
- Weather continues to be o'cast. - possibly a good thing?

-- With many shops & outlets - those that OPENED during the day - CLOSING at 17.hrs. tee rak & I went to and walked through LUMPINI PK.. On the way I thought that the bamboo palisade was looking LESS effective, being weighed-down by tyres at several points, and thus offering easier points of access.
- Inside the PK. I was surprised to see that the swimming pool was OPEN.
- Possibly a dozen-and-an-half muscle-men working-out in the largest work-out space.
- Several gps. doing their aerobics.
- We left at 18.hrs.; I noted that all of the red shirts whom I could see stood-at att'n. during the playing of the Nat'l. Anthem.
- In gen'l. I thought that the o'all. tension was lower at the DUSIT THANI's corner.

-- Today, (25th.), forenoon tee rak & I walked along Tnn. S'wong., Rama IV. & Si Lom.
- The usual riot-police piquet o'side. the JIM.THOMPSON SHOP.
- Fewer riot-police on obvious duty o'side. the DUSIT THANI HTL., (although probably many MORE in the grounds on stand-by?),.
- Municipal employees seen brushing the side-walks, and a std. & yellow water-truck with mainly female attendants was washing down the street-drains along Tnn. Si Lom.
- I thought that the mil'y. along Tnn. Si Lom looked and acted quite relaxed; although in Tnn. Thaniya there were about 70 armed on obvious stand-by, and those in both Phat Pongs were armed & alert, too.
-- The MRT. has CLOSED MRT. Silom but o'wise. is running a normal svce.
-- SILCOM. has RE-OPENED for business in a gen'l. sense, (until 18.30.hrs.), although several individual outlets & shops remain CLOSED. I spoke with the owner of the model railways' shop who told me that the owning co. of SILCOM. has no ins'ce., against civil insurrection, riots and suchlike, these things being unknown in TH. until now. Apparently the owning co. is in negociations with its insurers and, on a just in case basis, she is consulting her own pte. insurers - possibly any add'n. ins'ce., she thinks, may cost her an add'n. 1K.bh. per annum?

- Today, (26th.], forenoon. Cent'l. BKK. appeared to returning slowly to a MORE normal way of life:
- MRT. running normally - although Silom stn. still CLOSED;
- BTS. Silom Line running normally all the way through;
- SILCOM. OPENED promptly at 1O.3O.hrs. - most of the outlets & shops OPEN for business;
- 'buses. & other rd. tfc. running, too.
- Mil'y. & Police piquets seen - but seemed to be LESS keyed-up.

-- In today's BKK.Post. 'paper. I read that six of the red shirts sec. gds. are in hospital shewing symptoms of the H1N1. virus; where the gov't. has failed possibly Mother Nature might succeed in bringing this popular manifestation to a close? ;-]

I doubt that any insurance company would issue insurance against civil insurrection, riots, and suchlike after the recent news. While Lloyd's would probably insure anything, it would probably be at an outrageously high price. It's probably better to self-insure. I've observed that English people love insurance (I never understood the assumption on Antiques Road Show that everyone would insure their things) but as an American, I think insurance is almost always a rip-off. I'd love to read about Thai culture, mentality, etc. about insurance.

Also, my thought upon first seeing the Bangkok Bank headquarters (on Silom Rd), was "wow--they sure knew how to set this building way back--and I'm amazed at all the open space on very expensive land in Bangkok." They sure thought out the possibility of riots, etc. I'm still amazed by the headquarters. I always wonder how they were able to buy all that land--the government probably helped with eminent domain. One time I was in there with a Thai friend and was impressed by their lobby, too.

-- Today, (26th.], evening - my tee rak being safely off & away en route to TRANG - soon after 18.oo.hrs. I walked from SILCOM. to the DUSIT THANI HTL's. corner, along Tnn. Rama IV. and along Tnn. S'wong..
- By AU BON PAIN, next to the DT., a gp. of possibly a couple of score demonstrators, waving Thai flags and using battery-powered loud-hailers, was assembled. I observed no riot-police openly deployed on that side of Tnn. Si Lom; however, on the former ROBINSON's side were some 40 or so riot-police looking quite relaxed, chatting quietly amongst themselves and not paying over-much att'n. to those opposite: either flag-wavers or red shirts.
- Along Tnn. Rama IV. most of the tables that were set-out were taken by happy eaters.
- The small riot-police piquet was still on duty o'side. JIM. THOMPSON.
- PP1. Night Mkt. CLOSED.

-- It's 100%. for sure that I'm no expert on Thai culture as it affects insurance.
- All that I'll observe is that when I was living in MNL. I used to see a quotation from the Lord Buddha on one of the walls of an health-foods' shop: 'Fret not about yesterday, worry not about tomorrow, but live each moment of the present passionately and wisely.', or words to that effect.*
- I realize that one's avg. Thai boi is probably not the most reliable of indicators about how the avg. and better educated Thai person thinks, but, if they're any guide, taking precautions against the future is not part of their mentality. My enthusiastic and American friend knows a Thai man, probably early 30's. now, whose only accomplishments lie in his manhood & virility. Reportedly when asked about his future, after his powers will have declined, he merely shrugs his shoulders in a somewhat 'Que sera sera.' attitude; reportedly any thoughts of saving for his future don't seem to have entered his head. Sad, really.

--* As an aside, some Xtns. believe that during the period when the NT. makes no mention of Jesus' activities, (roughly between the ages of 12YO. and his late 20's?), He went to the East and studied there. It is interesting to compare the Lord Buddha's a/m observation with what Jesus is reported to have said along similar lines in Matt.VII:34., for example.

I would say the Chinese in Thailand (who I heard own the whole country) are different from the native Thais.

I had a Thai bf whose mother is Chinese (refugee from China in her youth) (and whose father is at least part Chinese)--and raised to save money (money obsession). He said that he never knew a "native" Thai (non-Chinese descent) who had any kind of savings or bank-account mentality.

But I wonder if this responsibility tapers off with children, grandchildren, etc. of immigrant Chinese.

I'm amazed at all the unprotected anal sex in saunas in Bangkok (lack of care)--which includes cute Chinese guys.

This quote from "Siam" in 11th Ed. Encyclopaedia Britannica (1910) really makes a good observations:

"In disposition the Siamese are mild-mannered, patient, submissive to authority, kindly and hospitable to strangers. They are light-hearted, apathetic people, little given to quarrelling or to the commission of violent crime. Though able and intelligent cultivators they do not take kindly to any form of labour other than agricultural, with the result that most of the industries and trades of the country are in the hands of Chinese."

-- It's not only the 'Cute Ch. guys.' who enjoy unprotected sex; in BABYLON SAUNA I've seen plenty of mature farangs, who should know better, engage in unprotected sex with Thais.
- Last yr. there were a couple of mature, (phys., at least.), farangs, (one of whom was a European.), both well-known cruisers in SILCOM., who would pay their Thai sex companions only if the latter agreed to have unprotected sex, (I think that the farangs were offereing 300.Bh. for a 'short' time then?),.

-- Today, (27th.], I left SILCOM. just after 12.nn.; o'side. was a small gp. waving Thai & yellow flags and listening alternately to Thai musick and to some demagogue.
-- At the DUSIT THANI HTL's. corner no police seen stationed on the side-walk, although plenty inside in the grounds; on the opp. side, o'side. the former ROBINSON's, some dozen or so riot police. Not so much noise from the red shirts' encampment nearby.
- However, plenty of both mil'y. & riot police seen along Tnn. S'wong. from Tnn. Rama IV. to P Pong 1.; many of the mil'y. had magazines clipped into their fire-arms, also a good few with grenades strapped to their webbing; a much MORE purposeful attitude than that along Tnn. Si Lom. By WALL ST. TOWER a gp. of soldiers was seen giving one of their 1Ox1O. army trucks - made in America - laden with orange colored barricades that can be filled with water, a push-start!
- At P. Pong 1 the various barricades had been removed from across the Tnn. and stacked ready for deployment along the side-walks.

- Today, (27th.), evening along Tnn. Si Lom many, but not all, of the poor but honest side-walk vendors were setting-out their stalls; P. PONG 1's NIGHT MKT. was OPEN for business, too.

-- Today,(28th.), I chatted again with the lady about ins'ce. here in TH., (she has worked for both Siam Comm'l. Bk. and for NY. Life Ins'ce. - for the latter as a directrix.),.

-- Basically the older gener'n. of Thais, unless they're well enough educated and have money to spare, do not believe in ins'ce.. 'Why spend money for something - such as illness - that might never happen?'.
- The middle gener'n. will insure if they have to: the banks mandate ins'ce. as a condition of obtaining loans: home, educ'n., car, or other forms of pers. tpt. etc. etc..
- Many condo's., gated communities and suchlike either have blanket ins'ce. or else require members to take-out their own ins'ce..
- The younger gener'n. are MORE conscious of ins'ce., and are targeted by ins'ce. co's. to buy Life Ins'ce. as a basic minimum - 'Better to invest one's savings in one's own life ins'ce. than in a bank.',
is their theme.
-- I suspect that the good lady's obs'vns. apply to the class of people with whom she dealt: the better educated and more monied persons than the avg. and more workaday manual workers who make-up the bulk of BKK's. population.
-- E&OE., as mainly reported speech. --

-- Today, (28th.), I walked to SILCOM. about mid-a'noon.; many MORE riot-clad police de-busing and taking-up pos'ns. along Tnn. Si Lom. Contrariwaise many of the mil'y. appeared to be quite relaxed and didn't look too concerned.
-- I left SILCOM. just before 18.oo.hrs., and observed many MORE riot-police along Tnn. Si Lom and in P. Pong 2.; this time the tps. seemed to be much MORE on the alert.
- Along most of Tnn. Si Lom the side-walk vendors were setting-out their stalls; however, in P. Pong 1 the stalls etc. were in place but no effort was being made to OPEN the steel boxes of goods for sale; the same was generally true along Tnn. S'wong..

-- I've just heard on the BBC's. Radio 3 news' summary, (12.oo.hrs. GMT.), that one Thai soldier has been shot dead - thoughts are that, (the confusion and the 'Fog of war.'), it might have been a police bullet? :-(
- The Foreign Office has issued another one of its Travel Advisories to British Nationals.

The current political situation
 

For a much more comprehensive coverage, suggest members go to thaivisa.com/forum then Thaliland news clippings and/or general topics. Currently they have a continuously updated daily thread.

Should also note that:

- Insurance is still in it's infancy in Thailand and is quite immature in terms of knowledge of the concept, coverage, products, taxation implications (where applicable) and overall professionalism
- Overall, a quite small percentage of the total Thai population can afford life and or health insurance (too busy surviving day by day to even think about the future)
- Insurance scams abound, health insurance is one example (forcing up premiums)
- Many Thais don't trust insurance companies for good reasons and same goes for insurance agents, and I know this one because of two incidents in my one step away Thai family
- I have contents insurance on my condo, a JV of a well known UK based company and a local company. A fire in a close room did a lot of smoke damage to my condo, local office of insurance company tried every angle possible to avoid payout as per the policy.

[QUOTE = Xfun; 677003].
**For a much more comprehensive coverage, suggest members go to thaivisa.com / forum then Thaliland news clippings and / or general topics. Currently they have a continuously updated daily thread. [/ QUOTE].

-- I shall be enjoying some R&R. away from BKK. during the Labor day w/e., so shall leave readers to enjoy the a/m. recommendation.
- I believe that > Thaivisa.com - Home < is part of The Nation gp., isn't it? (Query: 'How impartial is The Nation gp.?' - Printer's Devil.),.

What I would like to know is are the gay go-go bars off Surrowong road (e.g. Classic Boys, X-boys, etc.) open or not? Plan to come back to Thailand mid May, but not to Bangkok if the gay scene is dead.

Open.

I expect it would take a rather large nuclear detonation for the gay scene to be "dead" in Bangkok.

[quote=trentaus;677010]
What I would like to know is are the gay go-go bars off Surrowong road, (e.g. Classic Boys, X-boys, etc.), open or not? ... . [quote]

-- Today, (28th.), I walked-through Soi Twilight, (off Suriwong rd.), at approx. 18.30.hrs..
- As far as I could see all of the bars, clubs, entertainment places, massage parlors, pool bars etc. etc. were either OPEN already or their opening was getting under way.
- But between now and yr. ETA., (a couple of weeks.), is - like 'A week in politics.' - a long time ... ?

Thanks for the info. If things are bad in the city when I arrive at BKK airport (which hopefully will remain open), I will simply go to Pattaya instead.

Article in today's Bangkok Post:

There is still music in the air. Several waiters are working, but only a few customers are seated.


Dancers wait in the doorway of King’s Castle 3 on Patpong, where customers have been in short supply lately. THITI WANNAMONTHA
To, a 35-year-old pub manager on Silom Soi 4, welcomes me to his lonely bar. He has lost 90% of his customers since the red shirts moved to Silom, costing his large pub more than 50,000 baht per night.

By day, Silom Road is the heart of Bangkok's financial district, home to numerous banks, brokerages and consultancies. But once the sun sets, the street transforms from a busy business centre into one of the world's most infamous red-light districts.

You have Patpong Road, famous for its rowdy clubs, go-go bars and open markets flaunting the latest knockoff bags, watches and Hollywood movies. Soi Thaniya boasts dozens of high-end clubs catering to an ever-shrinking population of Japanese expats.

And then you have Soi 2 and Soi 4, the centre for the capital's gay nightlife. Pubs, bars, restaurants, saunas and massage spas can be seen left and right, catering to Thai and foreigners alike and open until the wee hours of the morning.

At least up until two weeks ago, anyway.

Bloody skirmishes between security forces and anti-government red shirts have taken a heavy toll on business, particularly the grenade attacks on April 22 on Silom Road that claimed one life and injured scores of others.

Residents of Silom Road express anger and indignation about how their lives and livelihoods have been all but held hostage by the political infighting.

Jatuphon, 35, has spent much of the past decade on Silom Road since starting his gay tourist magazine, Bangkok Variety in 2000. Most of the advertisers in the handout are entertainment venues located on Soi 2 and Soi 4.

``My customers complain a lot about the situation,'' said Mr Jatuphon. ``Many bars have to close earlier and that definitely affects their income. Some of them asked me to extend the terms of their credit.''

He added that his publishing business has been struggling ever since yellow-shirted protesters shut down Suvarnabhumi Airport in December 2008. Business picked up again late last year, only to plummet when the red-shirt protests started this year.

``When the yellow shirts closed the airport, the number of foreign tourists dropped, but Thais still came. This time it's different. Thais are worried about their safety and have simply stopped coming to the area.''

Politically, Mr Jatuphon said he was not a yellow-shirt supporter, but he absolutely opposed the tactics used by the red shirts, who seem intent on trying to force the government from office by disrupting daily life in the capital.

``I didn't agree when the yellow shirts closed Suvarnabhumi Airport. And I certainly disagree with what the reds are doing today,'' he said.

``I don't agree with them and I'm not afraid. Gay people have a different point of view about politics. Normally we don't want to get involved, but we are ready to express our opinions if we cannot bear it anymore.''

Advertising in the free Bangkok Variety has fallen 40% to 45% in recent weeks, and could decline further if the situation is prolonged, Mr Jatuphon added.

Nearby, Pop, a 24-year-old regular to the area, said he was scared about the threat of new violence.

``I don't dare come to Silom nowadays. I'm afraid of what might happen. Instead, I might go to the bars near Chatuchak Market or Ratchadaphisek, but it's not really the same,'' he said.

To's pub on Soi 4 planned to celebrate its 12th birthday next month before the protests reached Silom. ``If the political situation does not ease by next month, the owners of the pub may have to consider closing their business,'' he said.

``This is not just a pub for gay people. We are like a community. Silom is the destination for both gay tourists and gay foreigners who live in the country,'' he said while watching his waiters group together for a dance.

``I want everybody to respect the law and I am looking for the government to enforce it,'' he added.

As I entered Silom Soi 2/1 to interview the manager of @Richard's Pub and Restaurant, I realised it was empty.

Narongsak Thammavaraporn, the 39-year-old manager, said that normally eight to 10 tables would be taken during dinner time. ``Now we are lucky just to get a few customers in the early hours,'' said Mr Narongsak.

His establishment has lost more than 50% of its typical revenue since the night of the bombs. ``Most of the guests here are foreigners and they are quite concerned about the situation. They are confused about what happened here because they receive information from the foreign press that is quite different from the Thai press.''

The two managers worried that the protests in Silom would not end anytime soon. However, there is still no leader among entrepreneurs in the area to push their concerns to the government.

``We have not laid off any employees yet. We just put them on holiday and make sure those who do come to work will be safe by keeping our eyes on the situation,'' said To.

``If this disturbance is not over soon and we really have to close our business down, I just want to ask, who will be responsible for that?'' said Mr Narongsak.

[quote=wantasian;677064]
Article in today's Bangkok Post:
... .
To, a 35-year-old pub manager on Silom Soi 4, welcomes me to his lonely bar. He has lost 90% of his customers since the red shirts moved to Silom, costing his large pub more than 50,000 baht per night.
... .
... . QUOTE]

-- I believe that the a/m. man is employed by BALCONY BAR?
- The o'all. tone of the whole article reads as exaggerated, to me, (of the trio of Sex, Sensationalism & Scandal that keep the media alive, [and ensuring income.], this article manages to combine both sex & sensationalism.),.
- But then I've been OUT of BKK. for the last few days and so am not au courant with the very latest.
- Agreed that business is DOWN, all too true - but in such a sit'n. instead of bemoaning fate the mngmnt. should start promoting vigorously. But I do have my doubts about a pub. as popular as BALCONY BAR CLOSING DOWN.

Thaivisa.com/forum /// the nation
 

Thaivisa.com and the forum are not 'part of the Nation group' and a few minutes scanning the site, the sources of a few threads and the overall hundreds of thousands of comments, analysis, opinions etc., from members (the public), which makes up probbaly 95% or more of the overall content, would quickly show anybody that it's not 'part of the nation group'.

Thaivisa was started quite some years ago by a gentleman named george, not 'the Nation'.

What is true is that one of the numerous newspaper etc., feeds used by Thaivisa.com/forum is the nation and there are numerous other feeds. This 'secton' is tiny compared to the public contribution.

The current 'daily thread' (regarding the red shirt etc situation) has content from numerous news sources as well as a few pieces from 'the Nation'

Like any news source / newspaper, political commentary, you make up your own mind what you believe and in turn what your own opinion is.

Thaivisa.com is in fact a very comprehensive source of information for foreigners.

Why would you assume it's the Balcony (actually naming the Balcony) and say that the comments are exaggerated?

It doesn't take much thinking to realize that it must be true that the shops / venues etc., in this overall area currently have much reduced business.

What prompts your comments about 'Sex, Sensationalism & Scandal'? Are you suggesting that Bangkok Post is mainly 'Sex, Sensationalism & Scandal'? Perhaps you should broaden your horizons quite a lot.

You comment: "Agreed that business is DOWN, all too true - but in such a sit'n. instead of bemoaning fate the mngmnt. should start promoting vigorously. But I do have my doubts about a pub. as popular as BALCONY BAR CLOSING DOWN."

1. It would seem from the Bkk Post article that a reporter has interviewed some bar owners / managers and assembled their pretty much similar comments of concern - what would you expect them to say given the circumstances?

2. You also say that Balcony should stop complaining and do some promotional work. Is this meant to be a criticism of Balcony? What would you expect they should be doing, offering customers bullet proof vests and tin hats?

3. Was there any comment about Balcony closing down in the article, I didn't see any such comment.