As many know, there is a lot of turmoil going on in Thailand right now. Since Freedom Stones has artisans in Thailand as well as one expatriate volunteer worker, we are monitoring the situation closely. Here is an update from David Allen, a dear friend of Freedom Stones and a long time missionary in Thailand:
The situation in Bangkok has further deteriorated as the army has routed the protestors out from their main camp in the center of the city. As of Wednesday evening, there were scattered riots and burning buildings throughout Bangkok. The army continues to shoot at protesters, resulting in more injuries and fatalities. At least three foreign news reporters have been injured and one killed in the crossfire.
The army’s heavy hand has inflamed tensions in the northern provinces and violent protests are occurring in at least 3 northern cities this evening- including Chiang Mai. There are reports of small groups rioting in Chiang Mai in front of the governor’s house, which has been set on fire, and a nearby major bridge has been taken over by approximately 1,000 protestors. There are unconfirmed reports of gunfire from this area. The city hall is also on fire. We have heard that the malls and nearby shopping centers have been closed as well as most public services, and Grace International School is temporarily closed for tomorrow at least.
A curfew is imposed from 8 PM to 6 AM in Bangkok and a “State of Emergency” declared in the many provinces…The area in which we live has been quiet. Nevertheless, we are preparing ourselves should civil war break out or the safety of our family clearly be threatened.
For now Freedom Stones may be halting production of some of our jewelry in Pattaya, which is about an hour outside of Bangkok. Our biggest obstacle is that our beads are sourced in Bangkok and we do not want to put our workers in harm’s way by sending them after beads, so we are communicating often with our expatriate worker, Lucy Watkins, to assess when to move ahead as things start becoming more peaceful.
Please pray with us that peace will return and the wounds and divisions of the Thai people will be healed.
Tags: Pattaya, Thai Crisis, Thailand
