Ongoing political tension has regrettably caused a lot of negative publicity in Thailand as anti government protestors ramp out their efforts for a House dissolution, but for the rest of the country it’s business as usual. As riot police and protestors clash in Bangkok’s Dusit area, tourists continue to experience a peaceful, unchanged Thailand. Contrary to images in the press, Thailand is safe in all popular tourist areas, with the trouble confined to Government House in Bangkok – where tourists rarely visit. Only the nearby Vinmanmek Teak Palace is off-limits and we advise visitors to completely avoid this administrative suburb of the city. It’s not necessary to cancel your travel plans, but do remain informed as uncertainty continues and some inconveniences have been caused by protestors targeting airports. The recent declaration of a State of Emergency in Bangkok was an attempt by the government to pass the problem over to the army, but it did little other than to prompt some countries to issue a reactionary ‘travel warning’, in due course it was revoked. The prospect of another coup or uncontrolled violence is however quite remote, and tourist businesses are suffering quite unfairly from the inaccurate interpretation of events here.
The coup of 2006 surprised everyone except those in Thailand and was remarkable for its lack of violence and generally high acceptance among Thais at time. Some even regarded the tanks on the streets as a tourist attraction. Citing unchecked corruption and disrespect to the revered monarchy, the army had reluctantly stepped in after widespread dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was heading for an explosive and possibly bloody end game. He has since remained a divisive figure in the political arena and is currently exiled in Britain to escape multiple corruption charges. A year after the coup, elections were held as promised, and his proxy party, the hastily formed PPP, pulled off a shock victory promising a return of his populist policies and handouts. His detractors, made up mainly of educated middle class Bangkokians, fear a return of his heavy handed wielding of power that led to widespread allegations of massive corruption, unethical administration and erosion of judicial integrity. Protestors have returned to the streets as the current government has focused more on exonerating Thaksin and his cronies, and less on the economic challenges faced by the country. They are also dismayed at the ‘money politics’ of vote buying that has blighted Thailand’s elections. With the looming threat of party dissolution in a pending vote fraud case, there is an urgency in the PPPs efforts to change the constitution in their favour, prompting radical reactions from the protestors who have laid siege to Government House since mid-August. Events leading up to the end of the year are likely to escalate the tension, but the army have made it quite clear there will be no second coup and that any adverse violence from either side will not be tolerated. As long as the military remains out of politics and the standoff is confined to Government House and other bureaux, the threat of insecurity to ordinary Thais and tourists remains low, but the effect on investor and travel confidence continues to take its toll. Meanwhile the evolution of Thai democracy continues in its convoluted and often detrimental manner, a situation most Thais have resigned themselves to.