BEING widely shared on the Thai social media today (Nov. 19) are photos of a garment and souvenir shop in Krabi province which put up a large sign at the entrance that says, “Mocking discount against Prime Minister! Discount! Until Prayut Chan-o-cha resign!” Sanook.com reported.
The post elicited a lot of comments and was widely shared. A Facebook user, Ms. Chanita Phante, said this is her mother-in-law’s shop and it is located at the entrance of the Emerald Pool in Klong Thom district, and not Lam Thap district as stated in the post.
She added that this sign has been put up for months now and understanding people come in and buy products.
A reporter went to investigate and talked to the owner, Ms. Em-On, 50, who said she has been selling garments and souvenirs in this southern province for decades now.
She added that she suffered downtown after the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, that left 4,812 confirmed deaths, 8,457 injuries, and 4,499 missing in Thailand, but was still able to sell products. However in the era of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) sales have declined sharply and business is not like it used to be. She is also saddled with repaying 2 million baht loan to the bank.
Because of the bad situation she is now in, she had to lay off two to three employees.
Since putting up this sign three months ago, officials have been coming round from time to time telling her to remove it, but she has refused to do so to draw attention to the problems in the tourism sector and the economic recession.
She added that the sign would be immediately removed should the Prime Minister resign.
CAPTION:
The eye-catching sign outside Ms. Em-On’s shop. Photos: Sanook.com
