Safety in Udon Thani

[Aardvark]

Have heard this from another place, but so far none of the Locals have confirmed ??

[bumper]

Wife went to the older Lotus today and said the Bank of Bangkok Bank Branch there was still closed.

[DannyAsia]

I went to Lotus in Nong Khai today and everything was normal, the place was packed with people. But one thing I noticed was that the Shopping Malls parking guards seemed to keep their eyes opened, talked on the walkie talkies and seemed quite serious (they usually keeps their eyes closed!!!). I was very happy to see that people had fun
I guess that if the red shirts would do anything in Nong Khai, Udon or Khon Ken (or whole Isan) it would be like "shooting oneself in the foot".

[udonuk1]

Went to Complex for first time in a few days. Just the odd soldier around Robinson and the adjacent hotel guarding it. I had a big shock when a soldier entered the massage spa that we were in today with a gun (in Market area), but he was just meeting his girlfriend massage lady and quickly changed into "civvies".

But west of the centre, Muang Tungsi, and around the government buildings there IS A HUGE military presence. A very large area is cordonned off by razor wire barricades. We drove near the market near Nong Prajak behind an armoured personnel carrier full of troops. It suddenly stopped and ALL the soldiers got out, it was quite scary, they all had machine guns ! But as Khun Paul said, there is only a token presence inthe centre of our friendly little city, but quite worrisome near Nong Prajak

[Aardvark]

That's understandable, the Princess has a House near the Park !!

[tamada]

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.

Good grief! This thread (lest we forget) was started by a German chap wondering if it was safe enough to come to Udon for his internship. Right up until the ---- hit the fan, KP is the one most ardently stating that there's bugger all to worry about in sleepy old Udon. Come on down; nothing's going to happen here. Ever.

Then he goes very quiet while all hell breaks loose (but I think I could hear his arsehole puckering over here in Vietnam btw).

And then comes back with this 'all clear' which seems to based on some vague notion that when banks are closed for days, curfews are imposed, there's razor wire barriers around certain areas and the erroneous statement that schools are open, then it's all back to normal already.

What ARE you smoking ffs?

[Khun Paul]

You are absolutly right the post was started by a post asking if it was safe, and it is, thre was no point commenting when as you say all hell broke loose, as it was obvious that for a very short time the town centre was not the place to be.
Even so I have friends that live not far from the Govt buildings and they heard nothing at all, so media hype being what is it, always makes a person feel that life is worse than it is.
By being calm it does ensure people don't get upset about the little things, like the curfew, barricaded Govt buildings, no banks and schools shut. YES IT IS NOT NORMAL but what is in Thailand in reality, the situation as you so aptly described was centered around a very small part of Udon, Banks,Schools, and the curfew affcted everyone but not confrontational but restrictive and that was all. So life was normal or as normal as it could be.
As for my personal bodily funtions the only time I felt that was about 43 years ago when i was in a place and I did not have my weapon with me and if I was caught i would certainly have died.
So Tamade OK answered your pointless attack on me this is the real world not some make believe scenario where we have according to you, Udon Thani in a lock down situation no freedom of movement and shadowy figures running amok.

[johnty.]

At the end of the day people most of us are in somebody else's country so we should abide by their rules and laws,as we would expect them to do in our home countries,stick to the curfew,stay away from known suspect areas and give each other as much "correct" information as we possibly can. I for 1 think this forum is usually very informative and yes people can wind others up and bicker but in the present situation maybe it would just be better to keep each other informed and stop the silly little boy bickering....just my opinion for what it is worth,thank you.

[tamada]

Fair enough johnty, let's keep it factual for the good if the community and less of the IMHO bullsh!t, history lessons and pointless political viewpoints. We don't have a dog in this fight, never have, never will, regardless of how many years married, in business, resident or amount of progeny spawned.

I know my wife and family have been scared shitless along with the rest of the moobahn since the curfew was imposed. I guess not having previous military experience is a big handicap when trying to define between real and imagined threats.

"Nice to have Captain Mainwaring here isn't it Uncle Frank?"

[Khun Paul]

I know my wife and family have been scared shitless along with the rest of the moobahn

My question is WHY, as most Thais I know view the curfew as an inconvienience and as we al know the majority oif Thai's cock a snoop at many of the laws in this country why should this one worry them.

As for the Army chewing gum or not or even sleeping, they have instructions ,as I understand it to be inconspicious if possible , some take it literally.

I still wouldn't give them and inch nor the police as many seem to be trigger happy.

Oh well seems to be dying down, but information regarding the ongoing curfew or not is at best contradictory so take care out there.

[Aardvark]

Edited by Aardvark, bloody computers.

[stattointhailand]

but information regarding the ongoing curfew or not is at best contradictory so take care out there.

As far as I can find out, the curfew has been extended for another TWO nights (Sun & Mon), although it will not now take effect until 23:00.

[maaka]

according to international news the curfew has been extended for another 48hrs or two days..apparently still some looting and odd fires in Bangers last night., and still mopping up.

[tomboy]

According to lunchtime news today the Thai Government have decided to extend the curfew in Bangkok and all provinces for a further two days. So for us in Udonthani the curfew is extended until 6am next Wednesday.

[parrot]

Soon enough the barricades around the government buildings will be taken down, curfew will end, and people will go about their daily lives as if nothing happened. You can choose to ignore what happened in Udon this year and last year at Nongprajak or realize that underneath the surface things are brewing. Sort of like that Icelandic volcano that keeps disturbing air travel in Europe.
I'm not losing sleep over the matter in Udon or in Thailand, but I think you'd be reckless to ignore it.

[stattointhailand]

According to lunchtime news today the Thai Government have decided to extend the curfew in Bangkok and all provinces for a further two days. So for us in Udonthani the curfew is extended until 6am next Wednesday.

Surely that would make it 06:00 on TUESDAY morning not Wednesday.

[jackspratt]

Edited by Aardvark, bloody computers.

MODS - can this please be moved to the appropriate forum ie "Computers, IT and Electronics"

Thanks

[bumper]

We had a pretty good look at our general area today Udon to Nong Khai, Phon Phi Sai and through the back country to Udon. Nothing going on just the way I like it. =D>

[polehawk]

You went in the wrong direction, bumper. Should have made a right turn and gone into Nong Sai. There was a lot going on there today. Saw a some rockets being shot into space but, to my knowledge, no one was killed. Baan Fai (sp?) celebrations today. Just hope it works and we get lots of rain. [-o<

Good to hear that things are more peaceful in our area.

[anachak]

talking of Phon Phi Sai
anyone know the best time to go and see the fireballs?