Opposition's indifference to commuters, business owners, and the tens of thousands of people who rely on Bangkok's downtown business district to make a living fully illustrates the movement's real agenda of dividing and destroying the country.
October 16, 2020 (Tony Cartalucci - ATN) - For the second day, anti-government protests organized by Thailand's billionaire-led opposition and funded by the US government have blocked major intersections at the heart of one of Bangkok's largest business districts.
At a time when the nation struggles to recover amid the global COVID-19 economic crisis - the mobs are deliberately targeting and forcing the closure of an area tens of thousands of people depend on for their livelihood - from business owners to workers, staff, and security.
Businesses stretching from Rachprasong to Siam have shuttered for two days along with public transportation services suspended in the area in fear of violence from anti-government protesters who - in 2010 - triggered gun battles leaving nearly 100 dead and carried out arson that destroyed several major business hubs in the area as well as a historical theater.
Bangkok Post in its article, "Ratchaprasong jittery over protests," would report regarding yesterday's protests that:
CentralWorld, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, The Market and Big C Supercenter on Thursday gradually closed some entrances of their complexes, which are sensitive to the protests, while many luxury shops at Siam Paragon including Gucci and Prada had closed their shops by around 4pm.
While some of the businesses cater to the wealthy, there are thousands who work for these businesses to make a living. Many others - like Big C - offer goods and services to workers, tourists, and others passing through the major commercial district, tourist attraction, and transit hub.
The article would quote a salesperson working in the area:
"Businesses in the Ratchaprasong area are now at high risk. The protests are quite beyond the government's control. In the past, we've chosen to open our shops at several retail complexes in this area because it is the prime location, but now it has become a high-risk area."
With business owners and tens of thousands of workers already facing hardship from COVID-19 - the repeated closure and uncertainty caused by the protest's deliberate attempts to disrupt political and economic stability has resulted in now 2 days straight of closures during what would be peak business hours.
Meanwhile - the opposition media including Khaosod owned by billionaire opposition leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit - have made light of the crisis cheering on protesters who "tricked" police and moved to another intersection when Ratchprasong was closed off - thus expanding the number of businesses forced to close for safety.
In one tweet made by the newspaper's official Twitter account - it joked about about "millennials and Gen-Z kids" tricking police.
While the billionaire-led opposition may be laughing at the chaos they are creating with its senior leaders able to flee the country in any worst case scenario - tens of thousands - certainly more than are attending protests - are likely not laughing or able to afford even half a day without working.