Comments on: Death and violence in a land of smiles: the tourist paradox https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/ Sharing the world with you Thu, 20 May 2010 14:17:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Melvin https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6283 Melvin Thu, 20 May 2010 14:17:53 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6283 It's just a shame what's going on there. It doesn't really matter which side is right. Every first of May we have some fights with the Police in Hamburg & Berlin. But that's different... the same with the G8 fightings. Sadly this is a good way to get into the media. If thousand protestler are peaceful, the media will show them for 10-20 seconds. If cars are burning they will have an extra show for it. It's just like that, even if it's not good. But what's happening in Thailand is even worse... for the whole country. If I remember right, Thailands second biggest income is the tourism branch. Well done! They just handled the situation after the Tsunami & now they help themselves with a new crisis. The protestlers would have made a much bigger impact with peacefull demonstrations, just like in the DDR in the past or even in Burma. The Thailand regime would have never acted like in Burma & I'm sure they would have more success that way! I just hope that in a couple of months, everything is back to normal... more or less. It’s just a shame what’s going on there. It doesn’t really matter which side is right. Every first of May we have some fights with the Police in Hamburg & Berlin. But that’s different… the same with the G8 fightings. Sadly this is a good way to get into the media. If thousand protestler are peaceful, the media will show them for 10-20 seconds. If cars are burning they will have an extra show for it. It’s just like that, even if it’s not good.

But what’s happening in Thailand is even worse… for the whole country. If I remember right, Thailands second biggest income is the tourism branch. Well done! They just handled the situation after the Tsunami & now they help themselves with a new crisis.

The protestlers would have made a much bigger impact with peacefull demonstrations, just like in the DDR in the past or even in Burma. The Thailand regime would have never acted like in Burma & I’m sure they would have more success that way!

I just hope that in a couple of months, everything is back to normal… more or less.

]]> By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6178 Andy Jarosz Tue, 18 May 2010 13:37:39 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6178 Definitely doesn't sound good, does it Guy? If I really had that gift I suspect I would be worth a fortune! :-) Definitely doesn’t sound good, does it Guy? If I really had that gift I suspect I would be worth a fortune! :-)

]]> By: Guy McLaren https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6109 Guy McLaren Mon, 17 May 2010 13:24:14 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6109 I am seeing a pattern, you visit, the country ends up in flames.... I would be concerned if I were you ;> Please don't visit any of the African countries I am planning to until after I have been OK? I am seeing a pattern, you visit, the country ends up in flames…. I would be concerned if I were you ;> Please don’t visit any of the African countries I am planning to until after I have been OK?

]]> By: JR@DriftersBlog https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6088 JR@DriftersBlog Mon, 17 May 2010 08:10:58 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6088 hey legal nomads i hope youre doing okay? are you guys still in the country? anyway thanks for sharing with us your first person insight. i'm definitely gonna check out the pics now. hey legal nomads i hope youre doing okay? are you guys still in the country? anyway thanks for sharing with us your first person insight. i’m definitely gonna check out the pics now.

]]> By: Legal Nomads https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6064 Legal Nomads Sun, 16 May 2010 18:28:04 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6064 Thanks Andy and Tony. I made a run for it this AM, and it was quite an experience: grenades going off and gunfire and the intersection clogged with black smoke from the burning tyres. It's impossible not to sound over-dramatic when recounting the scene, but that was the reality as I left. If you are interested, my pictures and a roundup of the videos and galleries from this weekend's deadly clashes are here: http://bit.ly/b2sOXB Best regards, Jodi Thanks Andy and Tony. I made a run for it this AM, and it was quite an experience: grenades going off and gunfire and the intersection clogged with black smoke from the burning tyres. It’s impossible not to sound over-dramatic when recounting the scene, but that was the reality as I left.

If you are interested, my pictures and a roundup of the videos and galleries from this weekend’s deadly clashes are here: http://bit.ly/b2sOXB

Best regards,
Jodi

]]> By: Ted Nelson https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6054 Ted Nelson Sun, 16 May 2010 15:23:04 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6054 Unfortunately, in many third world countries (and even my own for that matter) when someone achieves political office they become corrupt and start caring too much for their own well-being instead of serving the people that elected them. In this case the government was not even elected by the people. It just seems that too often that governments forget what their purpose is and that is to serve the people and not themselves. Jodi, hope the situation does not turn even more violent and that you can soon leave your apartment and also hope for your continued safety. Unfortunately, in many third world countries (and even my own for that matter) when someone achieves political office they become corrupt and start caring too much for their own well-being instead of serving the people that elected them. In this case the government was not even elected by the people. It just seems that too often that governments forget what their purpose is and that is to serve the people and not themselves.

Jodi, hope the situation does not turn even more violent and that you can soon leave your apartment and also hope for your continued safety.

]]> By: Andy Jarosz https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6014 Andy Jarosz Sat, 15 May 2010 14:24:19 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6014 Thanks for the comments, Ciki and Jodi, and thanks for both of your insights into this round of violence and the deeper issues that simmer beneath. It's a good thing Jodi how you and others are providing the world with unbiased and uncensored news and images from BKK, to cut through the propaganda that both sides both doubt push. It's a demonstration of the power of digital media. Stay safe. Thanks for the comments, Ciki and Jodi, and thanks for both of your insights into this round of violence and the deeper issues that simmer beneath.
It’s a good thing Jodi how you and others are providing the world with unbiased and uncensored news and images from BKK, to cut through the propaganda that both sides both doubt push. It’s a demonstration of the power of digital media. Stay safe.

]]> By: Legal Nomads https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6011 Legal Nomads Sat, 15 May 2010 13:49:34 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6011 I am currently in Bangkok, and actually unable to leave my apartment because my area has been designated a live bullet zone, and grenades & gunfire have been going off. I've been here since mid-March when the protests started (peacefully) and have watched and photographed as the situation has deteriorated. As you've stated in your article, a population with a deeply internalized breaking point combined with a tangled, complicated history replete with violent struggles just like this one is a deadly cocktail: it is total anarchy on the streets right now (and just outside my door, too). I've tweeted some pictures from my street (http://tweetphoto.com/22502621), and will post this evening with updated links, articles and video shot from the area. Over and above the tourism needed to boost Thailand's sagging economy, its people need to find a way out of their century old struggles - the staggering number of coups in the country is testament to this struggle - and I can only hope that this cycle does not continue into the future. Until it does, violent clashes like this one unfortunately will occur. -Jodi I am currently in Bangkok, and actually unable to leave my apartment because my area has been designated a live bullet zone, and grenades & gunfire have been going off. I’ve been here since mid-March when the protests started (peacefully) and have watched and photographed as the situation has deteriorated. As you’ve stated in your article, a population with a deeply internalized breaking point combined with a tangled, complicated history replete with violent struggles just like this one is a deadly cocktail: it is total anarchy on the streets right now (and just outside my door, too). I’ve tweeted some pictures from my street (http://tweetphoto.com/22502621), and will post this evening with updated links, articles and video shot from the area. Over and above the tourism needed to boost Thailand’s sagging economy, its people need to find a way out of their century old struggles – the staggering number of coups in the country is testament to this struggle – and I can only hope that this cycle does not continue into the future. Until it does, violent clashes like this one unfortunately will occur.

-Jodi

]]> By: ciki https://www.501places.com/2010/05/thailand-land-of-smiles-tourism-death-violence/#comment-6003 ciki Sat, 15 May 2010 10:21:17 +0000 https://www.501places.com/?p=2834#comment-6003 wow andy.. well said. Everybody has a cracking point. Sometimes the smiles are such a habit that when the real s*** (pardon my french) hits the fan, the violence is catastrophic. I totally agree that this is a common trait in Asians - the internalizing of problems, fears and the worst of the lot, anger. I too hope Thailand will be "OK" again. They are my neighbours. I really love the country. Let's pray for forgiveness, then healing. wow andy.. well said. Everybody has a cracking point. Sometimes the smiles are such a habit that when the real s*** (pardon my french) hits the fan, the violence is catastrophic. I totally agree that this is a common trait in Asians – the internalizing of problems, fears and the worst of the lot, anger. I too hope Thailand will be “OK” again. They are my neighbours. I really love the country. Let’s pray for forgiveness, then healing.

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