MESSAGE TO THE AMERICANS IN THAILAND

[PJack]

So... did anybody go?

What was the fuss about?

[beej]

Just a big cover and the building is full of IRS agents

I had it pictured a bit more like Auschwitz, oh well.

[digitalcat]

Beej WAS RIGHT! Thank god I paid my taxes and didnt sleep with anyone under the age of 18!

I have the whole thing on video is anyone is feeling suicidal ill post it. But what an ill waste of time.

[LakeGeneve]

So... did anybody go?

What was the fuss about?

Didn't go as not american but The Nation update page posted this;

THE NATION: US ambassador & his staff had a meeting this pm with US citizens only re the political problems in Thailand at the Marriott.

THE NATION: A lot of activity at Chidlom corner. Barricades are manned and ready for something...(18.13)

THE NATION: IF things got really bad in BKK, one of (US Ambassy) suggestions was that folks could just get in cars & drive elsewhere.

I am sure that suggestion is taken out of context but if things got really bad anywhere the last thing I would be doing is jumping in a vehicle and driving "elsewhere". It is usually too late at that point. Unless it was part of an escorted and organised convoy which knew where it was going and with a clear reason why.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Red-Shirt-Rally-Live-Mond-t359478.html&st=50&start=50

[admin]

Well, actually, that was the advise. The Regional Security Advisor Randall Bennett said that because of the way the protests are concentrated that all you have to do is get out of Bangkok (specifically, he said if you just go far enough down Sukhumvit you can avoid the entire thing).

The message was more in the context that this is not a countrywide problem, Americans and foreigners are not targets, and the most likely disturbance is clashes between army and protesters. So . . . avoid the protesters. Get away from where they are clashing with the police and you're out of harms way.

Here's a summary of the town hall meeting from my notes:

There were somewhere around 500 - 600 people in attendance. I think the mode age was over 50.

Eric G. John the US ambassador spoke and reiterated that there was nothing US citizens had to worry about. The US government has been speaking both with the government and the UDD in order to being about a peaceful resolution to the crises.

Eric G. John then almost admitted he was a TF'er when he said that the US was a friend of Thailand. :-)

Next Consul General Ronald Robinson advised American citizens to register on the US embassy website so you can receive Warden Messages alerting you to major changes in the status of things here in Thailand.

That might be a good idea, but as someone else pointed out, most of that news hits the regular press long before the Warden Message goes out since the Warden Message has to be cleared by the US State Dept in Washington DC.

Regional Security Advisor Randall Bennett, who's claim to fame seems to be having previously evacuated six other US embassy posts, gave general security considerations.

-- Have 72 hours worth of stuff you need to survive (water, food, etc)

-- Have candles and flashlights in your home

-- Have a first aid kit

-- Call the embassy if something starts to go down. You may be the first person reporting it to the embassy and they can begin taking action.

Another useful piece of advise he gave was not to go to your balcony or to a window to investigate an explosion. He said that 98% of all casualties in the the bombing of the US embassy in Kenya came from a second blast. The bombers set off a small bomb first knowing it would draw people to their windows to see what happened. Then the second blast went off and the flying glass from the windows shred people up.

Along those lines he also advised that if/when the shit hits the fan to get away from windows. His advice was to find a room with no windows in it and stay there.

Then it was question and answers from the audience.

Me, Condotown, BKK Me, and DigitalCat stayed until the questions just got too stupid. Seriously, some of these people were retarded. One guy asked why they haven't completed the BTS extension on time. One guy rambled on for about 3 or 4 minutes until the ambassador had to ask him to get to a question (he had none). Another guy asked why the Thai military was setting up machine gun positions near his house (I guess he thought he was at the Thai embassy). Someone else, who seemed to be mathematically challenged, claimed that there were over 1,000,000 protesters at Chid Lom. When the ambassador pointed out that the largest crowds they've ever had was 200,000 he argued with the ambassador.

So, that was what all the hoopla was about.

On a positive note, Vlad, Chris, and I went to Bully's and got something to eat and then Chris and I got drunk and ended up over at The Hideaway. :-)

[CiaranM]

On a positive note, Vlad, Chris, and I went to Bully's and got something to eat and then Chris and I got drunk and ended up over at The Hideaway. :-)

well at least the day wasn't a complete waste !! now get urself signed up for the free pool and happy hour beer sunday afternoon on 9th may !!!

http://www.thailandfriends.com/index.php?name=Events#1930

[SweetieBabie]

Eric G. John then almost admitted he was a TF'er when he said that the US was a friend of Thailand. :-)

Did he admit that he wanted a ladyboy mistress? 8)

[Flipamerican]

On a positive note, Vlad, Chris, and I went to Bully's and got something to eat and then Chris and I got drunk and ended up over at The Hideaway. :-)

Glad there aren't any pics of that