Tanks...For the Memories!

Oh oh! They're on the move. Grab yourself a large mug of coffee and a virtual muffin or six before you bunker down. Good to see you by the way.  I had one eye open to watch you parachuting out of cyberspace and the other eye looking for the tanks...not that we're in Bangkok or anything...and besides, the army says it is only manoeuvers. This time the troop movements are well-timed because there are likely to be protests in and around Bangkok this month. Here's the scoop...

BANGKOK: -- The Royal Thai Army has confirmed it was about to roll tanks into streets of Bangkok, but don′t panic, it would be merely part of routine work, according to the statement released by the army.

Apparently conscious of the rumour about a possible military coup circulating around the country, the army took pain to announce in advance the plans of various armoured divisions to move their armaments for field work practice outside of Bangkok throughout the month.

On 6 August, the 1st Division King′s Guard will move their armaments from 4th Cavalry Division in Dusit district to Phahonyothin Train Station, via Kiak Kai intersection route, the statement reads.The equipment will then be transported to Kanchanaburi Train Station.

"The troop will come back to Bangkok with their armaments on 17 August via the same route," it says.

Later, the army announced, the 2nd Chivalry Division King′s Guard will move their armaments back from the training ground in Lopburi Province to Phahonyothin Train Station on 9 August, before transporting the equipment to the barracks on Kiak Kai Road and Sanam Pao area.

Another series of manoeuvers will occur on 19 August, according to the army. On that day, the Antiaircraft Division will transport equipments from their Phahonyothin Barrack to Kiak Kai Barrack by train, then continue toward Lopburi Province on army vehicles. The armaments is scheduled to return to Bangkok on 23 August.

A spokeswoman of the military apologized for inconvenience that may occur from the transportation of troop and armaments.

“This is not a preparation for a coup d’état”, she said. (We've heard that before, too.)

As anti-government protests were set to take place in Bangkok and fears about possible unrest returned to the capital city, many are whispering that the military might take advantage of the situation and put an end to the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, similar to what happened to her brother Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.

Except for certain areas in the city and the few hundred who will be involved, the other 12,000,000 or so folks will go about their business as usual. It is nothing new. Something to talk about and most will just avoid the affected areas and keep selling or eating their noodles and hot sauce.

See ya by the noodle stand, eh!

Bob