The following appears in THE NATION:

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May 1992 Bloodshed May Happen Again if I Lead Fight: Pallop

 

Gen Pallop Pinmanee, a former adviser to the Internal Security Operations Command, said Friday that the fight by the People's Alliance for Democracy would not remain peaceful if he leads the fight.

 

Giving an interview on Channel 3, Pallop said he would not stop in as long as his friend, Chamlong Srimuang, still leads the fight.

 

"But if I step in to lead it I'll use my way, which is not peaceful one," Pallop said.

 

"To reach our goal, sometime it has to be painful so that it could go ahead. It's possible that it could be similar to the May 1992 bloodshed."

 

The Nation

It has been fascinating to see all this unfold and to watch the news and the tv. Many who live abroad do not even know what is happening in LOS. Hell, I live here and I can't figure it out yet.

Many who live abroad do now even know what is happening in LOS

 

I am presently in the US. The New York Times has had several prominent articles about what is happening. Not sure about other more local media.

Many who live abroad do not even know what is happening in LOS.

That's true. My own family in the USA, and they regularly watch the news, said that nothing about the goings on here have been broadcast at all. They knew nothing about it until an Email from me.

It's in the news here is America but granted not front page news. Reported on CBS evening news and CNN.

 

 

Bob

All sounds very worrying, I have just arrived do you think its safe to stay, I notice most Govenments are warning against visiting Thailand at this time.

All sounds very worrying, I have just arrived do you think its safe to stay, I notice most Governments are warning against visiting Thailand at this time.

 

It depends on where you intend to be. If you're staying in Bangkok, then as long as you stick to the gay areas and major shopping areas, and keep away from the government buildings, you're probably just fine.

 

In Pattaya you're perfectly safe. In Pattaya you wouldn't even know anything is going on at all. It was like that in Pattaya during the coup too. If it weren't for the news, you never would have known anything was happening. It's the same now.

 

Personally, I would be a little nervous about trying to travel somewhere within Thailand by air, in case the airports get taken over again. But you do have the option of going to the airports and buying one-way tickets. That way, the worst that can happen is you go to your next destination by bus. Nobody has tried taking over buses. I think the odds are in your favor regarding air travel, though. The airports are all clear and operating normally now. Chances are good that the protesters won't try to take over the airports again.

 

In other words, you'll be just fine and there is nothing to worry about at all unless you intentionally go to the areas where the protests are occurring. If you are not sure, then tell your hotel where you intend to go and ask if you are going to encounter the protest areas. I see no need for people to cancel their trips to Thailand, despite what the embassies are saying.