Bangkok: The Return of Normalcy?

In Bangkok, after a violent and chaotic clash between military and Red Shirt protesters and subsequent looters/arsonists, it appears that a bit of normalcy has returned. The crackdown and dispersal happened so fast one might almost think this was a brief nightmare after the long, drawn-out sit-in. For the rest of this weekend (May 21-23) Bangkok is still under a curfew. But the MRT subway will be running once again Sunday. Clean up has already begun and authorities are carefully finding and eliminating any potential dangers of weapons or explosives left behind by the armed faction within the protest group. A few of the 30+ buildings damaged by arson are being demolished. But the last couple nights have been quiet.

photo by Kevin Revolinski

Is it business as usual now? Well, yesterday reports were coming in of tourists already returning to places such as the Grand Palace. Nightlife will likely return once the curfew is lifted Sunday night. Even during the worst of things – such as the April 10 clash near backpacker haven Khao San Road – the bars reopened as soon as the fight moved a block or two over. Thailand is odd that way.

photo by Kevin Revolinski

However, the potential for bad behavior is always there and the sociopolitical roots of these conflicts remain and aren’t going away anytime soon. Large scale protests like the last one are often foreseeable and thus avoidable. Some of the more random violence at the height of the recent conflict ventured beyond the edges of the rally area in downtown, but again was still in some ways not so unpredictable: banks were targeted, a train platform near where opposition protesters had gathered to counter-taunt the Red Shirts, TV stations, government buildings here and up country, etc. So let’s say this is a cautious claim that Bangkok is returning to normal. South of Bangkok, the popular resort town Pattaya has already lifted its curfew. Travel into areas surrounding Bangkok is unhampered (but carry your passport just in case).

The best we can do now is proceed with awareness of the news and announcements and keep an eye on the politics. Travelers will take advantage of the desperate travel offers that come in the wake of such tourism image damage. A headline today said that Bangkok will rise again like a phoenix. Indeed, Bangkok is already getting up and brushing itself off. You can’t keep a good city down.
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Twitter played a critical role in keeping people informed and connected these last days. Follow @NG_Bangkok to keep up-to-date on the goings on.

Watch this blog for a couple of Bangkok Day Trip ideas this coming week!

Some Photo Essays from the recent conflict:

Time
Life
Spiegel

Articles:

The Globe and Mail: In a Bangkok Buddhist temple, the groans of the wounded

For the most cerebral analyses of the situation and political commentary which gathers a variety of excellent sources, check out Bangkok Pundit’s blog

Check out my personal blogs of my experiences during the mid-May escalation and crackdown.

Bangkok Dangerous: Grenade Attacks Tonight
Bangkok Troubles at Thai-Belgium Bride
Get Out of the Way: Bangkok Boils Over
Bangkok Crackdown: It’s Over???