SAWASDEE 2

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Thanks for that info S., and this:

BANGKOK, Thailand – A Cabinet minister says Thailand's government will impose a state of emergency around Bangkok's two airports.

Agriculture Minister Somsak Prisananantakul says the decision was made at a special Cabinet meeting Thursday.

He says emergency laws will apply to areas around the main international Suvarnabhumi airport and the domestic Don Muang airport.

An emergency decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows the suspension of civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that causes panic.

Thousands of anti-government protesters are occupying the terminals of both airports, forcing the cancellation of all flights in and out of the capital.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information

[AaronLV 12]

Made it to Bangkok last night at 11pm. What a long couple of days. Here is how I got here.

I left from LAX on Tuesday 10:50 to TPE, I was advised that going I could get stuck in TPE for a while and had to go through immigration pick up my bag and wait for another flight. Had to sign a bunch of waivers that Eva Air was not responsible for hotel or food, nice part of the flight is I flew economy, and had a row to myself, which I got to lay down and sleep for the entire flight. When I arrived in TPE (Thursday 5:40 am), I checked the news and read the situation was getting worse. So I decided to re-route through Phnom Penh Cambodia, since my ticket was not allowed to change route, I spent an half an hour arguing with the supervisor and they finally agreed, and seeing how I have over 80K miles with them in the past 7 months, they agreed to let me pay the upgrade fee to biz class for 117.00 rather then 743 for a new ticket. I figured Cambodia was a lot cheaper then Taipea and could get some train / bus / car to Thailand.

So I was on the 9:10 am flight and having no idea how I was going to get to Thailand, once there. Biz class on this plane was essentially First Class, so it was quite the nice 3 hour flight When I was getting off the plane I happened to over hear this American guy in front of me tell the guy next to him they had re-routed on there way to BKK. I told him I was in the same boat. He sad him and 2 other guys were renting a Van and going to the boarder, I asked if I could tag along, he said no problem.

We got a van for 230USD to take us to the boarder (I think we overpaid, but I didn't negotiate it, I had talked to this holland couple and they said we should be paying about 20.00 per person, oh well I just wanted to get to Bangkok), after paying 20 + 1 dollar for VISA and picture in Cambodia (Bring change they don't break 100 bills), we were headed out for the Cambodia/Thai Boarder. Leaving a little after 1pm, we arrived at Poipet, at 7:30 pm with one stop for gas. The guys I met were really cool, and we had a great time talking the entire way. One was married to a Thai and lives near Pattaya, the other two were friends and one was his first time in Thailand. NOTE: Boarder at Cambodia / Thai in Poipet closes at 8pm.

We got across got a Taxi to Bangkok, for 1900 baht and left there about 8:15 arrived at my apartment at 11:00. What a crazy day!!!

-Aaron

UPDATE: It was a good call since I just saw that the airport will be closed until at least 6pm Saturday.

Edited November 27, 2008 by AaronLV

[daboyz 36]

Made it to Bangkok last night at 11pm. What a long couple of days. Here is how I got here.

I left from LAX on Tuesday 10:50 to TPE, I was advised that going I could get stuck in TPE for a while and had to go through immigration pick up my bag and wait for another flight. Had to sign a bunch of waivers that Eva Air was not responsible for hotel or food, nice part of the flight is I flew economy, and had a row to myself, which I got to lay down and sleep for the entire flight. When I arrived in TPE (Thursday 5:40 am), I checked the news and read the situation was getting worse. So I decided to re-route through Phnom Penh Cambodia, since my ticket was not allowed to change route, I spent an half an hour arguing with the supervisor and they finally agreed, and seeing how I have over 80K miles with them in the past 7 months, they agreed to let me pay the upgrade fee to biz class for 117.00 rather then 743 for a new ticket. I figured Cambodia was a lot cheaper then Taipea and could get some train / bus / car to Thailand.

So I was on the 9:10 am flight and having no idea how I was going to get to Thailand, once there. Biz class on this plane was essentially First Class, so it was quite the nice 3 hour flight When I was getting off the plane I happened to over hear this American guy in front of me tell the guy next to him they had re-routed on there way to BKK. I told him I was in the same boat. He sad him and 2 other guys were renting a Van and going to the boarder, I asked if I could tag along, he said no problem.

We got a van for 230USD to take us to the boarder (I think we overpaid, but I didn't negotiate it, I had talked to this holland couple and they said we should be paying about 20.00 per person, oh well I just wanted to get to Bangkok), after paying 20 + 1 dollar for VISA and picture in Cambodia (Bring change they don't break 100 bills), we were headed out for the Cambodia/Thai Boarder. Leaving a little after 1pm, we arrived at Poipet, at 7:30 pm with one stop for gas. The guys I met were really cool, and we had a great time talking the entire way. One was married to a Thai and lives near Pattaya, the other two were friends and one was his first time in Thailand. NOTE: Boarder at Cambodia / Thai in Poipet closes at 8pm.

We got across got a Taxi to Bangkok, for 1900 baht and left there about 8:15 arrived at my apartment at 11:00. What a crazy day!!!

-Aaron

UPDATE: It was a good call since I just saw that the airport will be closed until at least 6pm Saturday.

Nice!!

[eric_f 0]

Now that's a detour!

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

yea, nice re-route.......

I spoke with Cathay and they'll re-route me phuket, then I need to get my way north on my own, to Chiangmai? of to pinsinalouk (sp?) would be closer to where I need to get to. I'm hoping they'll be cleared outta there by saturday, What BS!!

Edited November 28, 2008 by Birch-Beer

[mommymeow 0]

I have a question about the police certificate.

Do you need to provide the letter from NVC or NOA2 to them in order to get the police certificate? applying for IR-1.

Thank you.

[symbiosis 0]

I have a question about the police certificate.

Do you need to provide the letter from NVC or NOA2 to them in order to get the police certificate? applying for IR-1.

Thank you.

Technically, the answer is yes, though I understand that a sufficient gratuity can easily waive that requirement. No comment on that except to say that it's the way things work with the Thai police.

[symbiosis 0]

good analysis of what's really going on in Thailand right now:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7716033.stm

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_...olitical_unrest

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand's prime minister demoted the national police chief Friday after thousands of protesters occupied the capital's airports in an anti-government campaign that has plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said National Police Chief Gen. Pacharawat Wongsuwan was moved to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.

Nattawut declined to comment on the order, issued by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

It was not clear if Pacharawat was removed because police failed to evict the protesters, but it could be because he apparently made no attempt to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis, as the government had asked.

In a televised address to the nation late Friday, Somchai made no mention of Pacharawat except to say "security forces will use peaceful means" to end the crisis.

Despite his assurances, reporters saw a small buildup of forces near the airport. About 200 police, carrying riot gear and shields, were seen outside airport offices about 400 yards (meters) from the terminal where the protesters are camped out.

Dozens more police armed with assault rifles were deployed on the main road to the airport. Police set up barricades and at least one black police truck and several fire trucks were parked in the area.

[symbiosis 0]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_...olitical_unrest

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand's prime minister demoted the national police chief Friday after thousands of protesters occupied the capital's airports in an anti-government campaign that has plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said National Police Chief Gen. Pacharawat Wongsuwan was moved to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.

Nattawut declined to comment on the order, issued by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

It was not clear if Pacharawat was removed because police failed to evict the protesters, but it could be because he apparently made no attempt to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis, as the government had asked.

In a televised address to the nation late Friday, Somchai made no mention of Pacharawat except to say "security forces will use peaceful means" to end the crisis.

Despite his assurances, reporters saw a small buildup of forces near the airport. About 200 police, carrying riot gear and shields, were seen outside airport offices about 400 yards (meters) from the terminal where the protesters are camped out.

Dozens more police armed with assault rifles were deployed on the main road to the airport. Police set up barricades and at least one black police truck and several fire trucks were parked in the area.

Yes, well, the only "peaceful means" one can imagine working is for the government to resign and let the People's Alliance for Anti-democracy win (again).

Edited November 28, 2008 by symbiosis

[daboyz 36]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_...olitical_unrest

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand's prime minister demoted the national police chief Friday after thousands of protesters occupied the capital's airports in an anti-government campaign that has plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said National Police Chief Gen. Pacharawat Wongsuwan was moved to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.

Nattawut declined to comment on the order, issued by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

It was not clear if Pacharawat was removed because police failed to evict the protesters, but it could be because he apparently made no attempt to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis, as the government had asked.

In a televised address to the nation late Friday, Somchai made no mention of Pacharawat except to say "security forces will use peaceful means" to end the crisis.

Despite his assurances, reporters saw a small buildup of forces near the airport. About 200 police, carrying riot gear and shields, were seen outside airport offices about 400 yards (meters) from the terminal where the protesters are camped out.

Dozens more police armed with assault rifles were deployed on the main road to the airport. Police set up barricades and at least one black police truck and several fire trucks were parked in the area.

Yes, well, the only "peaceful means" one can imagine working is for the government to resign and let the People's Alliance for Anti-democracy win (again).

Good point. While we're at it, let's bring back Thaksin and make him PM again. Then he can sell what ever is left to Singapore and make billions of THB in the process. I think Myanmar would be a good place for him. He would fit in well with those dictators.

[bogey1 0]

It is always hardest on the 1^st generation of immigrants, and they will typically push away their ethnic culture and background, in order to better fit in. It is the 2^nd generation that tries to rekindle with their roots.

This reminded me to ask about something that is only tangentially related, but since I have some experienced posters available I hope I might ask some advice.

What did you do to manage homesickness?

I live south of Tampa, so she won't have to adapt to weather very much. We also have an AMAZING Thai temple nearby: http://www.wattampa.com/PAGE_1/Page_12_Maintemple.html

But still, I worry about homesickness.

My fiancee is well traveled and well educated, but she has a definite preference for Thai food. (Though I must say a lot of Western food in Thailand is, well, BAD, and not a good example of the food she will actually get here. She still thinks spaghetti is properly served with Ketchup. LOL...) This issue is compounded by the fact that she is a Bangkok girl and used to having good cheap food on every street corner. She had a great job there and rarely cooked for herself, so she cannot really cook a lot of Thai food. (i.e. she's spoiled by BKK)

Her English is already quite good and she will take a few English courses when she first gets here. Eventually she'll go back to work. But in the meantime, what do you all suggest?

I was worried about the homesickness factor as well. I live in Seattle, WA so the weather difference is humongous. So far she's been adapting very well and she hasn't been bothered by the coldness.

She does miss Thai food a little bit, but it's nothing where it's bothering her.

She's taking english classes as an ESL course and had to test into a certain level. She tested into level 2 so she got to skip to levels which meant her english was pretty good, which I knew anyways but didn't know she'd test that well.

I remember I spoke with her a lot before she came about her being homesick and what we could do to help ease her homesickness and she always said "I won't be homesick, don't worry". I thought she might just be saying that to make me not worry, but really she hasn't been homesick at all.

Everyone is different so of course I can't guarantee your fiance won't be homesick but just thought I'd share my two cents.

Good luck.

Oh yea, also she's totally loving Pho (Vietnamese noodles)! She even says she likes them more than Thai noodles. About food, we both cook together usually every night. She's always been able to eat every type of food, and although she misses Thai food, she eats any type of food, especially Japanese food which is good because I'm Japanese-American.

Have you found a good source for Thai ingredients in Seattle? The NVC just sent our K-1 to the embassy in Bangkok and I'd like to find a good market for her before she comes over. Thanks

Not necessarily a THAI ONLY store, but there are stores that do sell Thai ingredients or food such as Viet Wah. Uwajimaya also does. The place we go is usually Ranch 99 in Renton area near Valley Medical.

Thanks, I really appreciate the advice. I've been planning to fly over on 12-9 and hoped to have her back to Seattle before the New Year. Right now I'm following the PAD news at the BKK Airport pretty closely.

[symbiosis 0]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081128/ap_on_...olitical_unrest

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand's prime minister demoted the national police chief Friday after thousands of protesters occupied the capital's airports in an anti-government campaign that has plunged the country into its worst political crisis in decades.

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-Kau said National Police Chief Gen. Pacharawat Wongsuwan was moved to an inactive post in the prime minister's office.

Nattawut declined to comment on the order, issued by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

It was not clear if Pacharawat was removed because police failed to evict the protesters, but it could be because he apparently made no attempt to negotiate a peaceful end to the crisis, as the government had asked.

In a televised address to the nation late Friday, Somchai made no mention of Pacharawat except to say "security forces will use peaceful means" to end the crisis.

Despite his assurances, reporters saw a small buildup of forces near the airport. About 200 police, carrying riot gear and shields, were seen outside airport offices about 400 yards (meters) from the terminal where the protesters are camped out.

Dozens more police armed with assault rifles were deployed on the main road to the airport. Police set up barricades and at least one black police truck and several fire trucks were parked in the area.

Yes, well, the only "peaceful means" one can imagine working is for the government to resign and let the People's Alliance for Anti-democracy win (again).

Good point. While we're at it, let's bring back Thaksin and make him PM again. Then he can sell what ever is left to Singapore and make billions of THB in the process. I think Myanmar would be a good place for him. He would fit in well with those dictators.

Except that Thaksin was elected -- twice. In Myanmar, the military refused to allow the elected government to take office. Seeing as how the PAD is trying to overthrow an elected government and has openly encouraged a coup, it seems it has more in common with the Myanmar junta. As for Thaksin's private business dealings, the only thing that's ever been questioned was whether or not he paid taxes on the Shincorp deal. It was his company and not a public utility after all, so who he chose to sell to was his concern and not the Thai government's.

Edited November 29, 2008 by symbiosis

[bill13060 0]

Thailand in my eyes does not have a government. They are all playing mickey mouse and monkey see monkey do. The PAD has broken so many laws, i really do not see why the police or military has not taken action. Talking is out of the question so force is the next step. Why a government would put up with disobediance and sedition from the military or police is beyond me. I would not just move them to an inactive post somewhere, i would put them in the cell that they used to be in charge of. This is beyond blame for what Taksin has done and this is not a fight for democracy anymore. Even the PAD leader said this is a fight for dignity, What dignity!! well i hope they are happy losing 7 million dollars a day while the exchange rate is moving in my favor. the only thing i can hope for is that they are done with this by the time my wifes visa is approved.

[symbiosis 0]

the only thing i can hope for is that they are done with this by the time my wifes visa is approved.