The political crisis in Thailand is putting Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in an increasingly tight corner. Peaceful protests by the opposition have brought the country's government centre to a standstill for days now. But tourists in Thailand have hardly noticed the tension. Nevertheless, ever increasing numbers are avoiding the country.
The hotel is just walking distance from the government centre, which has been occupied by tens of thousands of Thais for more than a week. Sometimes you can hear the loudspeakers in the hotel. Somewhere out there is a "state of emergency". But what that means is difficult to say from a hotel room. Tuktuks race past the 700-bedroom sky scraper and the clothes market is as busy as ever.
Nothing going on
There is nothing going on. At least not as far as the tourists are concerned. No-one ever wanders into the government centre, because the temples and shopping malls are in the opposite direction. So no-one has seen any trace of the demonstration which has brought the country into a deep crisis, let alone the state of emergency. There are no tanks on the streets and no riot police.
 Protesters in Bangkok |
Thaksin
The opposition can smell victory. They have already brought down one prime minister. And that was no-one less than Thaksin Shinawatra. The populist business tycoon governed the country as if it were his own telecom company. Mr Thaksin is popular with the country's farmers, who he regularly gave money to. It's thanks to the farmers that he kept winning elections, but in the capital he was hated. He had a totalitarian style of government and abused his position to enrich himself in a spectacular way.
The middle class of Bangkok could only find one way to get rid of him. Two years ago they took to the streets and stayed there day after day for months, until he was gone. Eventually the army staged a coup d'état, Mr Thaksin was deposed, his party was dismantled, and he fled to England to avoid prosecution for corruption.
In the same boat
Now Prime Minister Samak is in the same boot. He is seen as Thaksin's puppet. He was chosen by Mr Thaksin to lead a pro-Thaksin party, he won the elections thanks to Thaksin's money and support from Thaksin's farmers, and he became prime minister with orders to prepare for Thaksin's return. And that is the last thing the people of Bangkok want, so they have taken to the streets again.
The demonstrations have been going on for a week now. In addition to blocking the entrance to government buildings, the protesters are threatening large strikes. And on top of all this, gas and water to the government buildings have been cut off, to bring the government down.
Deadlock
Most of all Mr Samak would like to send in the troops, but now they are refusing to use their weapons against the respectable people of Bangkok. The army commander refuses to cooperate with the state of emergency and says he is "on the side of the people" and will not use force.
The deadlock appeared to have been broken by pro-Samak gangs, who attacked a demonstration, killing one person. The attack gave the prime minister an excuse to call a state of emergency.
Tourists
Nevertheless, the demonstrations continue. Thousands of people joined the protests, in case they were attacked again. That has not happened. But the television images of people fighting in the streets are having an effect: tourists are booking holidays elsewhere just in case. This cannot be allowed to go on for too long. Tourism is important to the Thai economy.
Prime Minister Samak has his back to the wall. If he uses force, the army will probably intervene and turn against him. If he doesn't use force the demonstrators will sit tight, and he will lose the last bit of authority he has. Whatever happens he loses.
Way out
The most honourable way out would be for him to step down, but Mr Samak is refusing to resign. There are tense days ahead in Bangkok's government centre, while the tourists continue undaunted to go in search of cheap electronic goods, fake brand-name clothing and sex.
*RNW translation (nc)
Tags: Samak Sundaravej, Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra