Foreign tourists in Bangkok are strongly advised to avoid the Ratchaprasong Intersection on the evening of Thursday 23rd June 2011. This includes Central World, Erawan Shrine and Gaysorn.
On the evening of Thursday 23rd June 2011, the Democrat Party are planning to hold an election campaign rally close to the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok. This area has been symbolic to the Red Shirt movement due to their prolonged protests here since last year. Many people see this as a deliberate provocation on the part of the Democrats.
Polls at the moment put the Pheu Thai Party as the frontrunner in the upcoming Thai elections. If they do win, then there is a high chance that deposed former PM Thaksin’s sister will become the next prime minister of Thailand. This could then make way for the return and pardon of Thaksin. This outcome is making a lot of people nervous and there is a real chance that the elections will be sabotaged.
There is speculation that an unseen hand will take advantage of the Democrat rally on Thursday night by inciting violence. The blame for this will then be put on the Red Shirts and ultimately the Pheu Thai Party. This could then lead to the elections either being cancelled or postponed. Depending on the seriousness of any violence, the army could use it as an excuse to mount a coup.
