Safety in Udon Thani

[Mainer]

Yes, I am told the Complex is open today until +/- 6 pm. I am on my way there now. I do hope I not give out any misinformation, but I guess I won't know until I get there.

[Khun Paul]

As to places open, that I do not know, howevr in popping down to my local bank, I found it shut, contary to BOT statement, so I expect they are having a 4 day weekend.
As for nothing out of the ordinary, unlike udonuk again casting his normal cavalier speak onto to any sensible post, I categorically state that apart from lack of cash availability and access to some Government Bldgs for all sorts of reasons, the town is normal, movement around is ok, schools are back so the 4pm traffic problems will ensue. The only problem is getting out to enjoy oneself at night, but hey, that is not really a big problem is it. if this continued until Monday no big deal, better clamp down hard and fast rather than play trying to contain problems after they have broken out.

[Techland]

KP wrote: ...schools are back...

Another one of your coarse statements? Our children stay home until monday as Marie Pitak and Don Bosco are both closed until then.

[monkeyman]

My missus is starting to like this curfew FAR too much!!

[red67]

My missus is starting to like this curfew FAR too much!!

ive just heard saturday could be the last one

[monkeyman]

Can confirm complex robinsons is open, crikey never seen it so deserted inside and out. Table of guards sat outside and certain men inside which appear to be on watchout....

[Mainer]

The Central Plaza (Complex) is definitely open today, and it is business as usual. I see no reason to think it will not be open from now on also.

Regarding banks they are all closed today but the BOT said they would be open Saturday and Sunday, but not sure if they were talking about the main branches or just the ones in the shopping stores, such as Tesco, Complex, Big C, etc.

[bumper]

Nong Sai Public schools were open today. No idea about Udon itself. Banks they said they would be open in the Malls.

[Mainer]

Per "The Nation".
All commercial banks will resume normal operations on Monday, May 24, said Thai Bankers Association President Prasarn Trairatvorakul.

Nine commercial banks will resume the operations of their branches located in shopping centres on Saturday.

[lee]

Army guarding maakaeng road leading to government offices today.

udonthaniarmy.jpg (111.99 KiB) Viewed 2249 times

The rest of Udon is business as usual, hopefully the worst is behind us.

[udonuk1]

As to places open, that I do not know, howevr in popping down to my local bank, I found it shut, contary to BOT statement, so I expect they are having a 4 day weekend.
As for nothing out of the ordinary, unlike udonuk again casting his normal cavalier speak onto to any sensible post, I categorically state that apart from lack of cash availability and access to some Government Bldgs for all sorts of reasons, the town is normal, movement around is ok, schools are back so the 4pm traffic problems will ensue. The only problem is getting out to enjoy oneself at night, but hey, that is not really a big problem is it. if this continued until Monday no big deal, better clamp down hard and fast rather than play trying to contain problems after they have broken out.

At 7 am in the morning , on the way to Talat Chou, that is what i saw KhunPaul ! I just drove around Nong Prajak and saw all the soldiers looking through binoculars. Strange to think the same soldiers were playing music in the same place only 4 months ago, at the Udon World music show. All the massage ladies out of work for at least 3 days , and no eggpan breakfasts !

It is first time i have been out at 7 am , funnily enough i saw absolutely NO falang at that time. The talat chou is a real hive of activity, a really great place to visit with nice food !

I hope one day to even get up early enough to see the monks asking for food at 6 am !

What will take place now ? Whatever happens , Isaan and Chiang mai will have a lot of money spent on them, the Thai elite will want to placate the northern populace before the next elections and will want to make sure Isaan folks are happier and richer. (and all those diamonds nicked from the shopping centres will help the local economy too).

Of course if the redshirts are elected then prepare for severe transport delays courtesy of yellow protestors

[nkstan]

Guys this is probably a very stupid question. I REALLY need to go to Udon or Nong Khai for some goods in the next few days, as I am shortly heading back to Australia for a month and I can't really get what I want here in Vientiane.
I guess ,most of you would say don't come to Udon at the moment. Is Nong Khai ok. Basically I just need to go to Tesco. It is hard to get any "real" information about safety etc.

If you can fill your needs in Nong Khai,there is no reason to go on to Udon,Nong Khai is not under curfew and there has been no sign of unrest during any of this turmoil!

[Khun Paul]

Ah Udonuk,, if one had taken the time to study what occurred when the reds apparently atacked the Govt buildings you would have known that the Military and the police blocked off all access to the Govt bldgs which included one side of nong prajak , now that would ensure then that any vehicle passing along or even around the secure area would most definitely be looked at very very carefully.
Most farangs I know would not even go anywhere near to the restricted area even for a look, but as usual you had to and then posted about the military etc etc.

Apart from those areas everything was normal today with the exception of the banks and the curfew, even Central was open so I am told.
One does not under any circumstances even give an inch to provoke or even to see what the hell is going on with the police or the Military, the troops being used here are NOT the conscripts but full time soldiers.
The situation is coming under control everywhere but one should not be complacent , there will reamain for some considerable time a deep rooted sense of injustice but that is to be expected, but I do feel that the vast majority of thais do not wish to go down this route again, the wanton damage and deaths however they may have been caused was unecessary and it will take some time before all is repaired or even rebuilt. The damage to Thailands tourism trade will I fear take a greater toll than thought, but that will be seen in the coming months.

For those who live here, i do feel that we are reasonably safe and I personally will continue my daily life but will be circumspect in my conversations and actions in order not to antagonise those who hold simmering grudge . That is not being scared just careful. It is NOT my fight nor will I make it mine.

[udonuk1]

A
Apart from those areas everything was normal today with the exception of the banks and the curfew,
.

Very normal that ! A tank just went past, ahh happens every day , pah
Volcanic ash closing all UK airports ? Nothing unusual about that, just a weather pattern

[rickfarang]

I could get to like this disruption of normal activity. How nice it is to drive around Udon with nearly vacant streets. How nice to visit Central Plaza and not have to wade through swarms of students. That's the only upside to the last six weeks of pain, however.

[papaguido]

One does not under any circumstances even give an inch to provoke or even to see what the hell is going on with the police or the Military, the troops being used here are NOT the conscripts but full time soldiers.

Oh yes, not a force to be reckon with...

[trubrit]

Oh yes, not a force to be reckon with...

At least there not chewing gum .

[Aardvark]

And only one of them Sleeping =D>

[bumper]

Everything seems to have been calm for the past 48 hours. Rumors abound, Including two schools in Nong Khai being put to the torch. I didn't see anything from the guys who live there. So I it let go as rumor, Problem is the rumor was printed in one the newspapers I read. So it went out to a lot of people.

[DannyAsia]

Bangkok post mentions the torching of schools in Nong Khai and more places. But that seems to have happend some days ago. Here is the link:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... -more-week