THE WEEK AHEAD
MONDAY
Today is almost certain to be a peak day for crowds to pay respects to His Majesty, so if you’re heading to Sanam Luang and Wat Phra Kaeo, be especially patient. Similarly, streets around Bangkok’s statue of King Chulalongkorn will be extremely crowded, as will those upcountry. Today is the final day of Book Expo Thailand at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
The top communists of China begin a four-day plenum in Beijing today, the last big shindig before the Communist Party of China’s congress next year.
TUESDAY
Police have announced red alert security in and around Bangkok from now until Halloween, after intelligence tips of a possible car-bomb this week. It is the last day of the One Stop Shopping Expo at Impact Muang Thong. Organisers in London will announce the winning book and author for the English-language Man Booker Prize.
The Tokyo International Film Festival begins today. It will end next week, on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY
If you’re looking for your inter-provincial van at Victory Monument, you’re in the wrong place starting today. The army has kicked them out but here’s the deal: There are free shuttle buses at Victory Monument to take you to the displaced vans.
Two activists facing prison for distributing flyers criticising the draft constitution will appear in Phu Khiao (Chaiyaphum) Provincial Court this morning. Jatupat “Pai” Boonphatthara-raksa of Khon Kaen University and the New Democracy Movement and Wasin “Palm” Prommanee of Suranaree University were arrested in August.
One of the few truly notable concerts that was cancelled was due to be held tonight — the Scorpions 50th Anniversary Tour would have highlighted one of the most enduring popular groups, even in Thailand.
European Aviation Safety Agency begins its annual conference early today in Bratislava. Thai fingers are crossed that all red X’s against the country will be removed.
THURSDAY
ISIS Thailand is a phrase capable of sending a chill down the spine, but it turns out to be Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak’s Institute of Security and International Studies of Chulalongkorn University. Still, its 9.30am public forum this month happens to be focused on “Islamist Movements and Middle East Turmoil” as it relates to Southeast Asia. The venue is in Room 105 of the Maha Chulalongkorn Building.
The four-day 25th Baby & Kids sale opens today at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre with “more than a million items” available. The event will feature top quality products and demonstrations of various “edutainment” activities, as well as discounts of up to 80% off.
The government of Colombia gave away the farm in its peace negotiations with FARC, and got turned down by voters. Now it will negotiate with the second biggest and more vicious narco-terrorist group, the ELN. Talks will be in Quito. Game One of the US club baseball’s best-of-seven World Series is scheduled for this morning.
FRIDAY
This is the 15th day of mourning for His Majesty the King.
Today, people may pay homage to the late monarch’s urn at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace from 1pm. Starting tomorrow, the mourning will take place daily from 9am to 4pm.
Thai Airways International, puzzled but dogged, have given up on Australia’s weird licensing officials and will launch its spiffy new extra-wide-body Airbus A350 to London, Paris and Frankfurt instead.
Thai Lion Air begins a new Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh City service today.
The Statute of Liberty is 150 years old today, and looks it.
SATURDAY
There also aren’t going to be any big, public Halloween parties.
Asia’s biggest LGBT pride parade takes place today — in Taipei.
Premier League action starts at 7.30pm as England now is on summer time. Sunderland host Arsenal, followed at 10pm by Man United vs Burnley, Man City at West Brom or Hotspur vs Leicester.