hanuman, not only accommodation, but in my case, include food too!!

Most of them foreign media reports on the protests are sensationalized. "Bangkok paralyzed", "Bangkok comes to a standstill" etc.. etc..
Besides Phan Fah and Rajaprasong areas you aint gonna see too much...
StanKase's stats are made up. 20-30% tourism to go down - what source get that from?!
Thai tourism is at 25% of the GNP - nonsense! It is at approx 6-8% of the national GNP.

Still closely monitoring updates, as daughter will still be transitting through Bangkok on Sunday for onward flight.

Latest development from <i>local</i> media outlet:

“Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday evening [April 7. ‘10] declared a State of Emergency to deal with the anti-government protesters.”

‘Bangkok Post’ website featuring all news and updates relating to protest:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/thaksin-judgement-day/

The actual situation has not changed. The State of Emergency does not allow public gatherings. It has not had an effect to use it as a measure to remove protesters. I passed the closed intersection last night, no sign of problems. In 99% of the city it is business as usual.

Furry,

If it will help ease your anxiety I just use the airport a few days ago and the security is very tight, 4 - 5 check points manned by the army on the entrance way road and more inside.

Hi Hanuman and thank you; not filled with ‘anxiety’, just following updates to be prepared for any delays.

Especially those caused by even more congested traffic jams, which I think you mentioned being caught in yourself (in another thread) during your recent visit to Bangkok.

You probably missed it, but posted my OH’s experience of B’kok/airport during his stay a week ago, see above Apr 6, 10 at 5:39pm but thanks for info of your even more recent encounter.

I’ll back off as it seems my posts are perceived as dissing Thailand or over-dramatising events, which is not the case at all – been there too many times either pre-during-or-post a political unrest/coup to not realise that hey, TIT!

Sawasdee ka

Dog, thanks for all the photos/videos. I'm still planning to be in BKK April 20 for about 2 weeks. I doubt I see much from soi 8/11.
Carol
(hello from Lucerne)

Poor Carol is having a senior moment and thinks the magnificently named <i>FurryTiles</i> is me.

Alas, no. I can only <i>aspire</i> to be FurryTiles.

Just an update on the Bangkok airport aspect of the political protest – didn’t want to post this on Hanuman’s current on-the-ground update thread http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...escalation.cfm and risk messing up his invaluable first-hand info.

Daughter transitted through BKK International during the worst of the violence on Sat/Sun 10/11 April with no delays whatsoever – she flew Thai Airways, all went smoothly and in fact both flights arrived early!

I received an email yesterday from the guesthouse mentioned above, in Dinso Road close to the Democracy Monument, which might be of interest as a local business's interpretation (my understanding is that the Election Committee’s decision has no power until due process through the Attorney-General’s office and then the Constitutional Court – all lengthy processes.)

“Sawasdee ka Khun J,
How are you? I hope you are fine.

The current political unrest in Bangkok has caused serious concern over safety issues.

As you may have heard from various news channel, the tension had escalated when the military attempted to disperse the red shirt mob on April 10 at Democracy monument (very near us). As a result, many were injured and 23 people died from the incident.

Now the situation was improved shorty after the incident, when the government's party was judged by the Election Committee to be dissolved as a result of falsely collecting
'donation' money from private sectors.

However, the red shirt protesters will hold their ground until the current government will be relieved of duty. We believe that the situation is now progressing into
the finale very soon.

Our guests' feeling of insecurities have decreased after they hear our information and then they started to go out joining Songkran Festival.

Happy Songkran Festival -Thai New Year 2553.

with all staffs
April 14,2010 “

LOL Dog, you ol’ heel-nipping mongrel, missed your post the first time round; if you seriously aspire to being a Furry Tile, you’ll need to drop out of Advanced Drama Queen classes and sign-up for fifth leg amputation.

Howl!