Red shirts dig in for a showdown

Red shirt protesters will continue their occupation of Ratchaprasong district, over the weekend, despite the declaration of a State of Emergency that makes it illegal for gatherings of more than five people.

Now rolling into its third week, thousands of protesters are showing no signs of giving up. On the contrary, they are entrenched in the centre of commercial Bangkok for the long-term despite the heavy financial toll that their presence is having on shopping malls and five star hotels in the area.

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Private sector report losses

Private sector tourism leaders report substantial losses during the three-week red shirt raillies and are accusing the Minister of Tourism and Sports of distorting the facts.

Federation of Thai Travel Agents spokesperson, Charoen Wangananont, challenged the Minister of Tourism and Sports “to tell the truth regarding the impact from political unrest”.

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Calm before a storm?

The streets of Bangkok and highways  from the suburbs are quiet this morning, but the city is bracing for a storm as red shirt protestors gather for what they call a show down with the government.

The government confirmed, yesterday evening, that as many as 50,000 troops have been deployed in the capital in a peace keeping role.

There are nine Royal Navy gun boats guarding the Thon Buri side of the river, opposite Thammasat University.

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