Bangkok Hotels Send Tourists Away
Abi BrayThe ongoing protests in the Thailand capital, Bangkok, have now started to relocate guests for safety reasons. The Thailand’s bloody political crisis has been scaring away many tourists for weeks. However, it has now taken a new turn. Many of the capital’s finest hotels have sent guests away for fear of violence at their doorsteps.
InterContinental and Grand Hyatt hotels in Bangkok told guests that they would have to leave. The Four Seasons remains open but has closed all four of its restaurants, and its cavernous lobby is empty.
Tensions really started to escalate last Wednesday, after the hotels started to close their doors. Right now there is an ongoing standoff between armed soldiers and anti-government protesters, who have vowed to remain encamped in the center of Bangkok until the government resigns.
These so called “Red Shirt” protesters have occupied the capital’s luxury hotel and shopping district for a total of 19 days in their six week bid to overthrow the government. Upscale malls were closed almost immediately as protesters transformed the area into a noisy and litter strewn tent camp. This camp came complete with outdoor showers and portable toilets for the thousands of supporters sleeping on the sidewalk.
The hotels that have been affected by the protesters the most are the ones in the middle of the “Red Shirt” camp. This is a camp that actually stretches for several city blocks. Protesters have barricaded access to the area by blocking major boulevards with a wall of tires topped with sharpened bamboo spears. Behind this sits trucks parked sideways to add more support to the wall.
The army now says that it is prepared to use greater force in any confrontations. This is because of the danger that is posed by the weapons of the Red Shirt Protesters.
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Filed under Business & Finance, Hotel Chains, Travel News, World News