The situation has been deteriorating progressively over time and this is a last desperate push by the PAD thugs to get their way. Unfortunately I think the situation will deteriorate further from this point.

This has nothing to do with democracy, but rather those who lost the elections seeing themself above the majority of the population.

The Government has acted calmly and rationally and refused to be drawn into violent confrontation with the protesters thereby giving the military any reason to get involved.

I would be surprised if there is any escalation or deterioration before the Kings birthday celebrations on December 5, but after that anything could happen.

Sorry you missed out on your holiday to Thailand but this could have happened just as easily several weeks ago.

Best wishes,

Thanks for your question.

I think the situation is somewhat fluid at the moment and there are various people making a range of inflammatory statements. Thai’s don’t like to loose face and this adds an interesting twist to what otherwise might be put down in the West as simple postulating or grandstanding.

I think the next few days will be key. The prime minister is out of the country attending the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Beijing. If the military are going to act this would be a perfect time. If certain groups are serious in their statements of opposing a military putsch that would become obvious immediately.

Overall Thailand is still extremely safe for tourists. However, given some of the public comments made by different people I think any tourist in Bangkok would be wise to maintain a heightened level of awareness of ongoing events and to avoid large crowds of people – especially political protests.

There have been photographs of tourists visiting the Government House rallying site of the PAD and others quoted giving their support to the PAD. This is sheer lunacy as tourists generally are not informed well enough of the big picture, or the overall aims of the PAD – to install a political system where 70 per cent of the parliament is appointed and only 30 per cent elected.

At this point in time I believe anything is possible. I believe there is now an increased risk of further violence and a requirement to remain more vigilant to the current situation.

Given the public statements that have been made by former military and police officers, if my 87-year-old mother wanted to spend her time alone in Bangkok seeing the sites, I would now be advising her not to come at this point of time.

I hope this helps.