Thursday, January 16, 2014

Thai Protesters Plan to Shutdown Bangkok

ANTI-GOVERNMENT demonstrators are planning to overwhelm major intersections of Thailand's congested capital in what they claim is an attempt to shut down Bangkok.

This plan was feared to create violence that may set off a military coup.

The protesters are doing everything to make caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.  They wanted her government changed by a non-elected interim administration to execute reforms they clam are required to put an end to corruption and money politics.

In February 2, they desire to rush a premature general election called by Yingluck.

Ever since November, the demonstrators were involved in street battles with police; they also cut off water and electricity to police headquarters and there was a time when they occupied the compounds of other government agencies.

Counting a policeman, at least eight people have died in violence connected with the political turbulence.

The protest leaders said last week that the demonstrators would occupy seven key intersections on Monday in Bangkok, a teeming city known for its debilitating traffic jams.

They are also menacing to invade government office compounds.

Late on Sunday of, groups of demonstrators begun arriving at some of the venues, where they said they would erect stages.

Earlier on Sunday, some demonstrators blocked a road in Bangkok's northern outskirts, where many government offices are located, said Deputy Police Spokesman Colonel Anucha Romyanan.

There were no instant confrontations with the authorities, who have guaranteed to demonstrate command in order to avoid violence.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Friday that a combined force of around 12,000 police officers and 8000 soldiers was being deployed to maintain order in the capital.

Protest leaders have said they will maintain their "shutdown" of Bangkok for weeks, or until they obtain their goal.

Their latest demonstrations have drawn up to 150,000-200,000 people at their height.
Worry about a coup is elevated since the army's history of intervening in politics.

Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha has turned down to rule out the possibility of a military conquest.

Another deputy prime minister, Pongthep Thepkanjana, said on Friday that be believed the army had learned a lesson from the 2006 coup - which ended up polarising Thailand rather than pacifying it - and that the international community and many Thais would be opposed to a military takeover.


http://westhillconsulting.info/blog/thai-protesters-plan-to-shut-down-bangkok/

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Travel Hacks for 2014

Mile-high bargains

Check the airline's website to its foreign-language website, it could have a potentially cheaper ticket there.  Use Google Chrome’s translation feature and make sure your credit card has a low international-transaction fee prior to making a deal.  Who knows you might be in luck so always do so.  Check if there is a sale in the region.

Use soap to soothe an insect bite

Just rub a bar of soap in the insect bite, you can use what’s available, hotels usually has soaps in their bath, and leave it dry.  This will save you time and money going to the pharmacy to buy some relief for the bite.

Cancel your booking without paying for it

If you miss the cancellation window for your hotel or rental car booking don’t worry because you can still change the reservation date for free.  Here is what you should do, move the reservation several weeks or months ahead, then call back and speak to a different person to attempt to cancel it.

Venting can be good

A sick seatmate on the plane can be bad, you might get sick as well so if you are worried about germs on planes, experts suggest that aiming your air vent in front of your face can deflect any circulating germs away from you.

Save on phone bills

You can save on phone bills using apps like Skype or Facebook's Video Calling, just the WIFI will do.  Both have unlimited calling while you can use WhatsApp and Kik to text with loved ones back home for free.

Be more supportive

Some airline seats are uncomfortable because they do not have lumber support; this makes passengers back and neck sore.   Here is what you can do, put a blanket or rolled up piece of clothing behind you so your back can maintain its natural curve.  And for the armrests, drape a folded scarf over it to boost the comfort factor.

Just roll with it

Use an expandable bag rather than bringing multiple suitcases, or running out of room to pack all your items after a huge shopping spree overseas
Pack like a pro

Organize your clothes well and save them from getting crumple in your bag by using packing folders or you can roll your clothes instead of folding.  You can also zip it up and reopen it and you'll often find more room has emerged in the corners.

Think outside the box

You can go and check out some site like HomeAway com, they have a list of ranges of properties you can rent for your holiday, and most importantly they are usually cheaper than hotels.  And it is negotiable!  You can negotiate the price and length of stay when renting these types of properties.

Use Vaseline to remove makeup

Petroleum jelly can work as a make-up remover.  But avoid getting it in your eyes.

Use a pillowcase for your dirty clothes

Pillow cases can be practical for separating your dirty clothes from the clean ones and are also useful to wrap delicate souvenirs collected during your trip.

Remove lint with your bag tag

Get rid of that fluff, or animal hair, by removing the baggage tracking sticker placed on your suitcase.

Timing is everything

Tuesday and Wednesday are usually the least expensive days to fly because most people tend to take to the skies on Friday and fly back home on Sunday making air travel more expensive on these days.

Airlines also tend to pull discounted airfares in advance of the weekend.

What’s more, never buy airline tickets earlier than three-and-a-half months before departure, and be warned that prices can go up radically within two weeks of the scheduled flight.

The early bird gets the worm

According to deal websiteFarecompare.com, the first flight out in the morning is usually the cheapest.  You're also usually more likely to avoid the worst delays, because airlines are starting with a clean slate.

http://westhillconsulting.info/blog/travel-hacks-for-2014/