Thailand trouble

Post by **den** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:05 am

hi guys we should be going this week to thiland but because of the trouble do think it will be ok thanks

Post by **bluezephyr** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:15 am

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/ap ... cy-bangkok

Doesnt mention the airport, Only Bangkok

Post by **bubbly** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:15 am

Don't think the protesters will be interested in you Den so you'll be fine.
Just keep away from any red shirts making noise.
If you're worried i can always go in your place

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:17 am

Den,

Do yourself a favour and look where you should be ie: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and ... /thailand/.

On 12 April the Thai Government declared a State of Emergency in Bangkok and the surrounding areas. The Emergency decree prohibits gatherings of more than 5 people. However, large anti Government demonstrations in Central Bangkok are continuing. There have been outbreaks of violence with protestors attacking Government vehicles. Some armoured vehicles are now deployed around Bangkok. Thai TV have shown pictures of some military vehicles being seized by protestors. In view of the deteriorating security situation anyone considering going to Bangkok should urgently review their plans. British residents in, and visitors to, Bangkok are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place and to stay indoors as far as possible.

If you've got an option, you'd be foolish to put yourself at risk.

I hear that Blackpool is nice at this time of year

Post by **bluezephyr** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:42 am

Im leaving in 2 weeks, If the planes still flying in, Im gona be on it!.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:49 am

Personally I would do the same as you. However, if Den is worried and needs to ask the question, he should not be asking a bunch of anonymous faces on an Internet forum. We could give him any bullshit answer.

He should be seeking accurate advice.

Post by **margaretcarnes** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:58 am

I'll give Den an answer that isn't bull poo. Despite many years now passing through and staying in Bangkok, and knowing where to stay, where to avoid in times of trouble etc. - right now I would think twice about staying over there.
I would still go to Thailand - but probably go straight from the airport to another part of the country (such as HuaHin of course. Plug plug.)
Last December a few days in Bangkok just after the airport occupation had finished wasn't a problem at all. Similarly last October and November when trouble was brewing. No problem.
This is different. Even from 6000 miles away it feels different. At the moment there are troops on the streets. OK, still in localised areas. But when foreigners are being advised to stay indoors it certainly doesn't sound like a place you want to be.
If in doubt take advice from your Embassy/Foreign Office. If determined to go to LOS then go in the knowledge that Bangkok at least might be best avoided, unless you know it very well, and adjust your destinations accordingly. Also go in the knowledge that, if things escalate, you may be stranded just as people were last year.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:27 am

BB and Mags,
I think your perceptions are being skewed by the media coverage in the UK. Added to that the Embassies always issue similar advice whenever there is even a slight hint of a problem, probably just to cover their backs. The trouble in Bangkok now, from what I can gather is (a) nowhere near the airport, and (b) in quite a small area. I would agree that it is probably a good idea to stay somewhere other than Bangkok, but then I would say that even if there were no demonstrations!

Post by **hhfarang** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:46 am

I saw on one news report that Pattaya and Chiang Mai are having some riots and demonstrations too, so it's not confined to Bangkok alone this time.

Mags plug was probably correct. Right now, Hua Hin or one of the Islands seems to be the safer places to visit.

I would definitely steer clear of Bangkok for a while. Tanks on the city streets are never a good thing. I saw that (riots, tanks on the streets, and curfews) first hand in Memphis in 1968 when, as a reservist, I was called to active duty to help protect the city against the rioters and it wasn't a very comfortable place to be even though I was with the police, and military.

I'm staying indoors even here, but that has to do with the Songkran water riots!

Post by **Takiap** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:51 am

Hi all

Just seen on the news that there were shots fired in Bangkok this morning. Apparently the army fired in response to being shot at themselves. The party was then livened up some more with a few petrol bombs.

Would I still come to Thailand? Yes of course I would. I'm here, aren't I?

The red shirts don't give a damn about us farang and I bet you could walk freely between them. The biggest threat they pose for tourists arriving, will be traffic jams resulting from blockades.

Having said all that, I do come from sunny South Africa so I'm accostomed to riots and petrol bombs.................lol.

OP.................do yourself a favour and come over. If it wasn't for the news, I wouldn't even know anything's happening, and I live here.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:09 pm

Wanderlust wrote:BB and Mags,
I think your perceptions are being skewed by the media coverage in the UK. Added to that the Embassies always issue similar advice whenever there is even a slight hint of a problem, probably just to cover their backs. The trouble in Bangkok now, from what I can gather is (a) nowhere near the airport, and (b) in quite a small area. I would agree that it is probably a good idea to stay somewhere other than Bangkok, but then I would say that even if there were no demonstrations!

My perception is not being skewed by anybody - I said that I would still come. I've been there in times much worse than this. In fact the 1992 uprising was not nice.

My concern for the OP is that he is not Thailand wise, and if he has to ask the question, he could easily (unknowingly) walk in to a problem.

By the way, it is not just the media, the FCO advice is don't travel and some airlines are already offering to refund or re-arrange flights.

One final point, knowing that Thai censorship can sometimes distort reality, are you sure that you are getting the full picture in Thailand? My wife gets Thai TV here in the UK, but she is watching the worsening Thai situation on UK TV because the Thai reporting is less than complete.

Post by **Wanderlust** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:24 pm

OK, fair enough BB, but I don't think the Thai TV is being censored from what I have seen. However I do not take FCO and Embassy warnings that seriously - they put them there when there is even a suggestion of a hint of anything. An example was when I wanted to go to Sumatra some years ago, and Aceh in particular, and the advice from official outlets was don't go. I went and had a great time and there was no hint of any problems at all. When I have been travelling around the world these sorts of warnings are commonplace and are just arse-covering exercises, so they can turn round and tell you 'we warned you, tough luck' if anything does happen that leaves you stranded; if they have not put any warnings they are obliged to help you. Sometimes the warnings are genuine, but more often there is no danger at all. I think this is one of those occasions when they are arse-covering.

Post by **Big Boy** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:50 pm

In this instance I believe the warning is definitely genuine (just been watching soldiers being stretchered away), but I do agree with you that at the moment the troubles are very localised. Providing you are (Thailand) street wise, it doesn't have to be a problem.

As an aside, yesterday the news here wouldn't give figures on the numbers of protesters, although I got the impression that they were talking 1,000 or so. I heard them asking during live reports, but the reporters simply carried on without answering the question. Today, they are talking 40,000+. Does anybody have any ideas of the actual number?

Post by **BaaBaa.** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:55 pm

Big Boy wrote:My concern for the OP is that he is not wise

I'd have to agree!

Post by **Bamboo Grove** » Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:48 pm

However, I would follow the situation in other areas as well, as this particular time, i.e. Songkran, the chances for all kinds of disruption and thus more fame are easily found.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1 ... -crackdown

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