Political crisis in Thailand: is going to get worse ?
The Constitutional Court yesterday ruled in favor of Democrats saying that the amendment to change the composition of the Senate violates the constitution but declined to order the dissolution of political parties and the disqualification of legislators who supported its adoption by Parliament. The government remains in place, but is more fragile than ever. The Red Shirts, government support, which have reappeared some days are mobilized, anti- government protesters, after this victory on the legal field are more than ever mobilized. Nobody knows how the situation will evolve…
In Bangkok assembly points of anti-government protesters are Democracy Monument, Phan Fa Bridge and Makkawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue while Red Shirts gather at Rajamangala Stadium on Ramkhamhaeng Road. The police are particularly present on these sites as well as around the Constitutional Court. Security has also been stepped up at importance places in Bangkok, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and airports, and other provinces’ administration halls to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence. As a precautionary step to ensure order in Bangkok, the Thai Cabinet has approved the use of the Internal Security Act in three districts – Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai or areas surrounding the Government House and Parliament – until 30 November 2013. Most Bangkok attractions are accessible safely except for Wat Benchamabophit, near the Parliament.
If perturbation to potential tourists in Bangkok is still minimal and often reduced to a few longer trips due to traffic jams, the question that remains unresolved is what will be the next actions of both camps ? The call to avoid places where demontrations take place is more relevant than ever as nobody knows if a confrontation between the two camps will take place or if the government will break its promise not to try to disperse the protesters by force.
