Threats of terrorist-activities tied to Hambali & JI trials already forced us to cancel our Bali leg, now we have to deal w. a tense situation in Bangkok.

At best, we will encounter a highly sanitized, plastic version of Bangkok and at worse we'll encounter some violence.

Gawd I really hate GW now, the guy's ruined the economy and America's relations w. their allies, but it wasn't even enough, he had to ruin my vacation too. Thanks GW and thanks to all the cognoscenti for the heads up.

When do you plan on being in BKK that you expect a "highly sanitized plastic version" BKK is BKK, nothing likely to change.

There is no more or less tension in BKK than anywhere else around the world, including Bali immediately after last year's attack, except maybe Afghanastan or Iraq.

Why did you cancel Bali - lots of other peopole are going! Though not up to pre-attach tourists, folks are returning.

And if NYC manages to get through the yearly meeting at the UN with all the dignitaries, BKK won't be much different.

A few traffic delays, but you get where, you're going - a little late, but it doesn't mess up the day.

is this a political statement or a travel statement??? JWB is not responsible for any of your issues....you will find some inconvenience in bkk, but i don't think any digs. will be riding the skytrain so you should be safe there....maybe laura will be shopping the weekend market for a dress for the next inaugural ball???
i think that if you are in the area of the hi profile hotels you may find some restrictions but not ones that will hamper your fun or sights in bkk....some digs. may go to the grand palace so i would avoid it on those days....they will be in and out....

i was in nyc last week and when i pulled up to the four seasons there was obvious digs. activity...57th had a row of cones down the middle and there were lots of black suv's near the door, but i got out and entered the hotel and got to my room with no problems and it was like that for the rest of my stay....bkk will be the same....if you are asian or middle eastern looking i think you might have cause for some discomfort, but chances are you are just plain american...and obviously a democrat---i had to add this sorry...

We'll be in Bangkok the 10/17 through 10/22, basically the entire APEC conference. In response to rhkkmk, my wife is Filipino and I'm of mixed-race descent, but look more middle-eastern than 'american', whatever 'american' looks like... but you are right, this needs to be a travel forum, not a political forum so I won't go into the rest of it, except to say I'm a registered republican and have held low level offices for the past 6 years. I appreciate everyone's responses, however after reading some asian newsites the impression I got was that many BKK locals were either taking an out of town vacation or holing up for the duration of the conference. Also, I know BKK is a big city, but it is also not a democracy and probably has more to prove than NYC so their clean up efforts will doubtlessly be more comprehensive and not dampered by things such as 'civil rights'. So, although I was exaggerating when I said "highly sanitized..." I really don't expect to encounter an accurate representation of BKK.
Sandi- We were in Manila last year , actually bought a pair of sunglasses in the Glorietta mall where the coup took place, but my point is, there was no tension, no off-limits places and nothing in the back of my mind about blown-up buildings. I was really looking forward to Bali, but there is a Travel Warning now, and what w/ the Hambali trials and friends from the area talking us out of it, we made the change.
Please assuage my fears that everything is fine and that I will encounter the same dumpy, busy BKK and I can go to dance clubs and not worry about leaving w. 1 less arm.
rhkkmk-you know a ton, I've read many of your postings. Please throw in your 2 cents.

Oh yes, and we will be staying at the Penn.

Thanks all, and sorry if this comes off snotty, I'm just a little angry about Bali and now anxious about BKK.

GET ON THAT PLANE AND GO TO BALI!!!!!! its an easy jump from bkk...i am going for a week in june and staying at an american chain hotel...among other things we need to show that we are not afraid....hold off however on the iraq trip.....

I put in my 2-cents again - YOU GO!

Most of the digs. will be indoors at meetings when they're not taken directly to the Grand Palace or such. Yes, I agree these can be an annoyance when one feels their time at a place is as important as some dig. regardless who they are, but you'll get to see what you plan - maybe a bit delayed!

BKK probably won't be any cleaner than usual, though the wide blvds that the digs. will drive down will be lined with waving Thais and visitors.

We were warned off of going to E.Africa after the embassy attacks - so we went anyways. And after the attacks at the WTC, we wanted to leave ahead of sched for our Southern African trip (but nothing was flying). In the 80s when we were warned to avoid Europe for a few months (hijackers, then), we flew over.

As I said above, unless the bombs are falling, I'm going! I could just as easily be "done in" at home, if my time is up! So YOU GO! - and tell us all about it when you return, both good and bad.

it may not be that rosy. according too bangkok post 2 days ago.. thiere may have been some rocket launnchers smugles into the county recently.

i may still be in bkk at the time but i'll try too keep away from the big boy hotels. they were said too be origenal targtets by the terorists cought a couple off weeks aga..

many bangkokians are planning too go back too ther villages or patays for durring the time.

if your comming too thailand at this time just divert your plans to the north or the islands if you don't feel confortable.. anyways it won't be much fun in town since many shops will be clsed.