GostHacked Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 This has been brewing for some time and now has come to a head. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27517591 Thailand's military has announced it is taking control of the government and has suspended the constitution. In a TV statement, army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha vowed to restore order and enact political reforms. The cabinet has been told to report to the military, TV broadcasting is suspended and political gatherings are banned. A nationwide curfew will operate from 22:00 to 05:00 local time. The coup follows months of political turmoil in Thailand. On Tuesday the army imposed martial law. Talks were then held between the main political factions, but the army announced the coup on Thursday. The relationship with China has always been an issue. Mainly regarding the status of Thailand as part of China. Or am I confusing it with another country? This is part of it, but I do not think it is all of it. http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/world/asia/thailand-martial-law/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 Thailand has been hit by bouts of political unrest over the past decade. The current wave was triggered in November by Yingluck's botched attempt to pass an amnesty bill that would have allowed the return of her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, another former prime minister who lives in exile. A military coup deposed Thaksin in 2006. Groups opposed to the government seized on the amnesty bill furor and began large-scale protests in central areas of Bangkok. In an attempt to defuse tensions, Yingluck called early elections. But the Democrat Party boycotted the February election, and Yingluck's opponents blocked voting in enough districts to prevent a valid outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hardner Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Thailand's governments turn over with some frequency. I think our PM had to address it the last time it happened too. From the BBC link, military coups have happened once every 7 years since 1932, on average. I can't find the word 'China' in your links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GostHacked Posted May 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Thailand's governments turn over with some frequency. I think our PM had to address it the last time it happened too. From the BBC link, military coups have happened once every 7 years since 1932, on average. I can't find the word 'China' in your links. Yeah, you are correct. It was a suspicion more than a fact. I think I am getting confusds with Vietnam somewhat. Vietnam is having problems in some areas with Chinese own/run factories. Many were torched. China sent ships and planes to evacuate Chinese nationals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWTT Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 Yeah, you are correct. It was a suspicion more than a fact. I think I am getting confusds with Vietnam somewhat. Vietnam is having problems in some areas with Chinese own/run factories. Many were torched. China sent ships and planes to evacuate Chinese nationals. Yes I think you are confusing Thailand with Vietnam. There is a dispute between China and Vietnam over some islands where hydro carbon fuels are being extracted by the Chinese. WWWTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWTT Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 I was in contact with the Royal Thai consulate in Toronto Monday morning via phone. We purchased a return ticket for my wife last week and I forgot about first inquiring visa requirements for Chinese nationals visiting Bangkok (for those who don't know, my wife is a Chinese national). Just before I called, I found out Monday morning that the military was occupying Bangkok to de escalate rival protester. At the time the military made it clear that this was not a coup. The rep at the consulate assured me that my wife's visit will not be effected and that the incident was not impairing business etc. Also my wife, if she can wait an extra hour at the aeroport outside Bangkok, would be granted a 15 day visa. Any longer stay would require a visa application here. Canadians need not apply for anything less than 90 days visiting. My wife was in Bangkok a couple months ago at the end of March and her purse was searched on two different occasions by protesters. She was very scared for a short while, but after the protesters saw she is a foreigner, they lost interest in her and let her go. She tells me that the entire city was occupied! Hopefully the military intervention has de escalated the tensions and life there will resume to as it was before. WWWTT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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