Thailand and the current political mess

Khannie

I'm seriously considering a month in Thailand from mid December to Mid January but I'm a bit put off by the current political unrest. The plan would be a family holiday with some Muay Thai training for me. Two weeks in Samui and two weeks up North (Chiang Mai / Pai).

If I'm honest, I'm not /really/ interested in travelling elsewhere. The Muay Thai's a big draw for me but of course my familys safety comes first.

Anyone got any insight? Sites I should visit?

News sites don't really give a good feel for how it is on the ground.

Trampas

you wont even notice it.

Wouldn't stop me.

Up north you will be miles away from the world if you do some jungle treks

S.M.B.

Exactly.

Don't let the current Thai political troubles put you off going.

Just don't attend any political rallies and you'll be fine.

RATM

I was just in Bangkok and northern Thailand a few weeks ago and to be honest you wouldn't even know it was going on if it wasn't for the western media telling you so. No mass protests or strikes, just the usual bi-annual Thai bloodless coup while the army sits back and decides whether to intervene or not. It really is nothing, this type of thing happens in Thailand all the time- tourists are rarely affected and definitely never a target of any minimal violence that takes place.
Go- if anything it will scare off the cautious type of traveler which means there'll be more space on the beach for you and your family:pac:

Khannie

Thanks for all the replies. Tickets booked. 1 MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

S.M.B.

RATM wrote: »

I was just in Bangkok and northern Thailand a few weeks ago and to be honest you wouldn't even know it was going on if it wasn't for the western media telling you so. No mass protests or strikes, just the usual bi-annual Thai bloodless coup while the army sits back and decides whether to intervene or not. It really is nothing, this type of thing happens in Thailand all the time- tourists are rarely affected and definitely never a target of any minimal violence that takes place.
Go- if anything it will scare off the cautious type of traveler which means there'll be more space on the beach for you and your family:pac:

In fairness, there's plenty of mass protests but they're all localised to certain areas.

There's even very little trouble at these area's but it's still best to be aware and avoid them.

S.M.B.

Just to let others know that the Thai PM warned the nation the other day of the threat of bombings in and around Bangkok over the next while.

Unfortunately, a bomb went off in a large market last night (although the motive doesn't seem political) and quite a few people were badly injured.

Just beware if you're planning on being over there anytime soon (it's still no reason to avoid the place imo).

Allah Hu Akbar

How much were flights say for one?

If someone wanted to go to Thailand say for a month how much would it all cost? Nice enough place to stay, nice meals, drink and you know what else everynight

Tough Johnnson!

Khannie wrote: »

Two weeks in Samui and two weeks up North (Chiang Mai / Pai).

two weeks is way to long for samui, it feels more like spain than thailand. i would reccomend koh tao, its way more relaxed and only 2 hours on a boat from samui. ifyou have time check out phi phi. its on the opposite coast but well worth travelling to. kinda off topic but thought id give you that advice:)

S.M.B.

All flights in and out of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport have been cancelled due to political protesters storming the airports terminals.

Looks like there will be major problems for anyone trying to enter/exit the country over the next few days.

TomBeckett

Hello all
Im heading to samui in December just heard today that the protest in Bangkok has got worse. With the protesters causing havok in Suvarnabhumi Airport today. hope its calmed down by December!!

nhughes100

According to the airport's official site, flights both international and domestic are landing as usual. Anyway you've got to go to Bangkok if you're going to Thailand!

TomBeckett

Yeah thats true.hopefully if will be over in a day or two.aldough there are elections on the 13th of dec some say it may flair up then i hope not i land there on the 12th !! When they closed the airport it must be scerious i assume it wont be closed for long dough as it is a major international hub.

RATM

I wouldn't worry about it too much TBH it should blow over within a couple of days. Ive been in Bangkok before when there was a coup on and you really wouldn't have realised it, nothing felt any different.
That said if there are still riots when you land ( unlikely ) just make sure to avoid politically sensitive areas like govt. departments, parliment, etc. Just remember that the locals are protesting their govt., not tourists. Thai people are by and large extremely friendly to tourists and there's no way I could ever see anything being directed against them. But if things get too much out of hand the army will intervene in any case, they are the ones who hold the ultimate power in Thailand.

In fact by going in December you'll notice there are less tourists there than normal for high season as tour operators tend to cancel tours during troubled times. All the better for you, more accomodation, more empty beaches:pac:

TomBeckett

Yeah i know what you mean..only thing is if they shut down yhe airports nobody is going anywhere..

S.M.B.

The current problems at the airport shouldn't last more than a few days (the PM is due to fly back into BKK tomorrow and that's why the airport was stormed) but outbreaks like this have become more and more common over the past few months.

As RATM says, it's not something to worry about in terms of your personal safety while you're over there if you just avoid the problem area's (which you wouldn't really be visiting as a tourist anyway) but these type strikes/closures could really mess up ones travel plans.

The country is a mess tbh, but I still adore the place.

youcancallmeal

I'm in Hong Kong at the moment and due to fly to Bangkok on Monday, really hoping the Airports open by then!

chris85

youcancallme>al wrote: »

I'm in Hong Kong at the moment and due to fly to Bangkok on Monday, really hoping the Airports open by then!

im flying sat evening from london, i really hope it will be finished by then

nhughes100

Looks bad allright, this day last year I was on Etihad bound for Bangkok.

chris85

Army chief has called for parliament to dissolve and hold new elections (according to sky news anyways). I didnt expect that so soon. If this happens should be protest over. I just hope everything happens soon.

If anybody has updates post them up.

TomBeckett

Yeah its a closed shop out there today. I rang budget travel and was told nothing is flying in or out of Suvarnabhumi. aldough she did say that it should not last long everything should be ok in a day or two.. Hopefully!!

ThE_IVIAcIVIAIV

flying from london next tuesday, i hope this gets sorted soon, my first worries were about the aerlingus striking but that seems ok so i should be able to fly cork heathrow no problem but heathrow to bangkok is still a worry.

S.M.B.

The Thai PM has addressed the nation and has said he is unwilling (as I expected) to dissolve the government.

He's called for a meeting tomorrow where further action will be discussed (I'd imagine they'll again declare the country to be in a state of emergency).

This really could drag on and on.

jank

hmmm I'm in Borneo at the mo and thinking of going to krabi in two days
hope the airports are open by then!

nhughes100

I don't think this will drag on, the Thai police and army aren't known for the patience, those guys at the airport will be told to surrender or else and they'll shoot first and won't bother asking questions later. Thai's want to be known for welcoming foreigners and they also hate losing face - it's a very important aspect of Thai culture and this does not make them look good whatsoever.

S.M.B.

nhughes100 wrote: »

I don't think this will drag on, the Thai police and army aren't known for the patience, those guys at the airport will be told to surrender or else and they'll shoot first and won't bother asking questions later. Thai's want to be known for welcoming foreigners and they also hate losing face - it's a very important aspect of Thai culture and this does not make them look good whatsoever.

I'm not so sure about that. The army will only step in if it's in their interest to intervene and currently it's not as another military coup is a real possibility. PAD have had control of the government house since May and the governements inability to deal with the situation has led to this.

Also PAD aren't going to willingly end their protests because Thailand as a a nation is losing face internationally. They want the government to be shown as the shambles it is.

Anyway, I really hope that they manage to resolve this in the next few days with as little violence as possible.

TomBeckett

S.M.B. wrote: »

I'm not so sure about that. The army will only step in if it's in their interest to intervene and currently it's not as another military coup is a real possibility. PAD have had control of the government house since May and the governements inability to deal with the situation has led to this.

Also PAD aren't going to willingly end their protests because Thailand as a a nation is losing face internationally. They want the government to be shown as the shambles it is.

Anyway, I really hope that they manage to resolve this in the next few days with as little violence as possible.

Well id say its in their interest considering their loosing 200 billion baht per day that Suvarnabhuni is closed. Just heard the PM has ordered a state of emergency and the airports are to be cleared so hopefully by the morning so fingers crossed..

chris85

TomBeckett wrote: »

Well id say its in their interest considering their loosing 200 billion baht per day that Suvarnabhuni is closed. Just heard the PM has ordered a state of emergency and the airports are to be cleared so hopefully by the morning so fingers crossed..

www.bangkokpost.com

The authorities have officially said that the earliest the main airport will be open by is Saturday at 6pm. This would obviously be local time. I am due to land on Sunday at about 4pm (leaving london at about 10pm on Saturday night).

Qantas are taking people that are going to Sydney through Singapore instead of Bangkok. Might be stopping over in Singapore instead then for a holiday, will know a lot more tomorrow.