Have been in Thailand for the last two weeks at the end of our trip and we are flying to Bangkok tomorrow for 3 days. Is there anyone there right now to let me know what the situation is like. We were planning on staying at the Chatrium and doing a bit of shopping but I hear on the news that the malls are closed and some roads blocked.
If I can get a general idea of the situation that would be great.

I wouldn't worry too much. The red shirts don't bother tourists and expats, and they are easy to avoid.

I got online and read the Bangkok Post. I see this current protest is in the major shopping area blocking a major intersection, and a number of malls in the area are closed. This is different from previous protests. Nonetheless, there are shopping mall all over Bangkok and there are malls that are open. Your hotel should be able to help you with this.

I spoke on the phone with BKK friend, Maeng, today. She didn't say anything about protests or demonstrations. Soi 11/soi 8 is probably just fine. I don't plan to cancel my trip in two weeks.

For the latest news on which roads/shopping malls are closed go to www.nationmultimedia.com
No-one quite knows whether or not the red-shirts are all going to leave the main shopping district in the very near future. Away from this area all is as normal.

I am here now and just have avoided that area.
All seems quite fine. Just be aware that people on the street will be telling you to head to the area where the rally is. I think 4 people today told us to go to MBK Mall.
We are at the Centrepoint Silom.

Headed up to the main shopping area today. Business as usual at MBK, but the other malls in the area were closed. Many tourists were around looking to shop and were disappointed these malls were closed. It is not good for business for sure.
An occasional truck carrying red shirts with music blaring went by. No big deal at this point for sure.

I'll be good to go, as long as MBK and the weekend market (and my other "secret markets") are all open, which I'm sure they will be.

Thanks for the up to date report, irec.

Wall Street Journal reports that today demonstrators are supposed to move to block another shopping district. Only "real" violance was a demonstrator ramed his Porche into a vendor's chart with slight injuryies. The driver was arrested. They say bookings to Bangkok expected to be down 20%-30% at least in the short run. The level of violance is minor compared to demonstrations in major US cities but blocking everyday tourist trade is a twist that does none of the Thai people any good. Tourist dollars account for probably 25% of their GNP because tourists have to often come to Bangkok to go to Phuket or Chiangi Mai and elsewhere from the US and probably Europe as well.

There are other malls away from the protestors. Pratunam just along from Central World and Indra Regent past that. Past the weekend market is a Central Mall. Another one at Bang Na which you would probably passed on your way into town from the airport. Pinklao Mall which is south of the river from KSR. There is The Mall which is at the very end of the number 15 bus route (as in from Siam Sq, Silom and over 20 minutes from there). There are 2 malls opposite each other on Ramkamhaeng around Soi 12, so before the University. And another The Mall on Lad Prao at the east end. A 22 bus gets there eventually.

Update from AP - clash with police plus: "Protest leaders have defied a government order to vacate the commercial heart of Bangkok as they try to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to relinquish power. They vowed Tuesday to stage convoys through 11 main city roads the administration has declared off-limits to them."

Slightly different aspect of thursdaysd's AP news update:

“Red Shirts pledge more protests
6 April 2010
Jubilant red-shirted Thai protesters have vowed to keep up their efforts to overthrow the government after a court declined to issue a legal order to evict them from Bangkok's tourist hub.

Tens of thousands of supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra paralysed the capital's main shopping and luxury hotel district for a third day and also briefly stormed the offices of the election commission.”

Full article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...section=justin

OH transitted through Bangkok a few days ago - Thursd/Fri 1/2 April - overnighting at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel on Phayathai Road. He mentioned the only difference to his Bangkok visit in mid-February was the added security – both police and military. Access at the hotel was with a lengthy security check of id and room key, and access to the large adjoining shopping mall was also security checked with id and bag scrutiny. The road to and from the airport was quite heavily guarded by military.

Daughter however, who was scheduled to spend six days in Bangkok later this week, has decided (in view of the ongoing protests) to change her itinerary and is off to Barcelona (!) instead.

Had a bit of a larf - at least they both start with B - and I'm sure she'll enjoy all the Gaudi architecture as much as she loves the Thai temples and cuisine.

She was planning on staying at the delightful boutique guesthouse on Dinso Road I stayed at during my November trip, but as this is spitting distance from the Democracy Monument, probably not the best locale in the present situation.

Please be aware that local English media is very much biased against the protest. Situation is safer then it is being reported. Prime minister has been on local TV, and from that message it seems that they will not stop the protests. If they do it will cause trouble.

so if the situation is escalating and I am planning on being there from the 27th of this month thru the 30th and again from the 9th thru 11th of may, should I be concerned or changing plans?? I was not planning to at this point. I am more interested in looking at temples/historical sites rather than shopping anyways...

cynth,

The situation is more like "heighten" not escalated. The government has a very strict non use of force against the demonstrators so IMO that is prolonging this.

I sincerely believe that you plans will not be affected and even the mall siege cannot last that long or they will go belly-up.

There are some Thais who are forming an underground movement to liberate Paragon from the red shirts. Very active chatter on Facebook on how to take back the mega mall in time for the summer/spring fashion season.

cynth, if it were me (and I know it's not), I wouldn't hesitate to go to Bangkok. Keep tabs on the news, but I would not expect you to have any problems.

Amazing pictures - lots and lots - of everything in here:
http://thailand.media140.org/bangkok/?tag=rally

If you've been to BKK, gotta look.

Wow, that's quite a collection! Never seen such happy protesters.

The "happy protesters" are making 2,000 Baht a day plus food! That's more than some Fodorites spend on accommodation in Thailand.

Gotta look, indeed. The Youtube video clips really bring the news accounts to life. Thanks.