State of Emergency in Pattaya as Summit Collapses in Chaos
Anti-government supporters will be claiming victory today with the postponement of the ASEAN summit in Pattaya. Red shirts were able to occupy the Royal Cliff Beach Resort hotel hosting the meeting and have forced the Thai prime minister, Abhist Vejjajiva, into announcing a state of emergency in Pattaya and the surrounding area of Chonburi. The emergency measures are partly aimed at facilitating the safe departure of the foreign leaders. The decree places restrictions on public gatherings and allows authorities to carry out strict stop and search actions.*
With the economic downturn and Thailand struggling to recover from last year’s occupation of Bangkok’s airports, today’s events will potentially hammer another nail into the country’s lucrative tourist industry. However, it’s only fair to put things in perspective for foreign visitors to Thailand and Pattaya. Hearing that there is a state of emergency is dramatic, but the protests are not aimed at tourists and Pattaya remains welcoming to overseas visitors. Understandably, some people going to Pattaya will be concerned, but I personally don’t see any reason at the moment to cancel or consider alternative destinations. Traffic may be a pain, but bars and clubs will still be open and life will go on in Pattaya. Many visitors to Pattaya are return visitors and will probably take it all in their stride knowing full well the saying, T.I.T. (This is Thailand).
*Update: State of emergency was ended on Saturday evening.
Related Articles:
- Is Pattaya Safe to Visit At the Moment?
- Red Shirts Enter Press Centre at Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya
- Pattaya Violence Disrupts ASEAN Meeting
- Red Shirts in Pattaya
- Bangkok Taxi Drivers Join Protests
- Thai PM Defiant Amidst Protests
- Pattaya Protesters Attack Prime Minister's Car
- Anti-Government Protesters Reject Talks
- ASEAN Summit Ends in Hua Hin
- Who are the Yellow Shirts and Red Shirts?
- This is Thailand (T.I.T.)
