More stories and photos from Myanmar coming in the days ahead, but I am — like most everyone in Bangkok — very worried about the current political situation. For the first time since I have lived in, or started visiting Bangkok — a period that stretches almost 17 years — I feel concerned that violence might escalate and make this city a truly dangerous place to be. Usually there is the inevitable, and sometimes silly (look at the example of ex-PM Samak being forced to resign because he hosted a cooking show!), Thai style solution to end such standoffs, but this time there appear to be multiple forces of madness at work and reaching a peaceful resolution to the current empasse might not happen. I hope that “Super K” has a mighty good speech planned this week, and out of respect the locals will heed his words. Even the expected court ruling that could dissolve the PPP (and some of their coalition partner parties) might not be enough to solve the problems. Meanwhile, frustrated and very angry air travelers sit and wait to get out of the country, while uttering a variety of creative and profane expletives. Most of them will never return.
When the dust finally settles after Bangkok’s international airport is up and running again (assuming that the hillbillies who have taken it hostage don’t destroy the entire facility), tourism will do doubt take a heavy hit. Despite the enevitable travel fairs, roadshows, and ad campaigns, the TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) is going to find it tough to convince foreigners that Thailand is a desirable destination. Even in the past, TAT’s campaigns appear amateurish compared to the slicker ones presented by Malaysia. I noticed an ad in the The Bangkok Post on Sunday, by the Malaysia Ministry of Tourism that was a good example of one that appears directly aimed at Thai women. With the Petronas Twin Towers glittering in the background, it shows a man and two women, all smiling and laden with shopping bags. One of the women could be the typical female Thai Skytrain commuter: cell phone pressed to one ear, and her other hand holding a shopping bag!
Obviously the Bangkok Airport situation is affecting other countries in the region as well. If any tourists want to travel to Myanmar, for example, the Bangkok airport is the main gateway. Over in Siem Reap, Cambodia, several of my friends have sent e-mails this week; concerned about my safety in Bangkok, and also worried about a dropoff in tourism over there. Bangkok Airways holds the monopoly on the Bangkok to Siem Reap flight (not even Thai Airways or Air Asia can fly there!), so that’s created a huge void in arrival numbers. My friend Rong works at the airport in Siem Reap and tells me there hasn’t been much to do all week.
