Does anyone know what it is like in Bangkok right now? I have a nonrefundable air ticket to arrive there from the U.S. January 2, then spend 5 days in Bangkok before traveling to Chiang Mai then Siem Reap. I have a confirmed hotel reservation at the Marriott Resort and Spa. Any advice?
Thank you!

go and enjoy, especially the marriott..i have not seen any info about any problems in bkk....it was in the south east of thailand where they had problems...

Thank you so much for your quick response! I hadn't been worried until I saw the other messages on this board expressing concern about being in Bangkok at this time. If anyone has any other information, I would appreciate their sharing it.Also, I really want to thank you and others for all the very, very helpful information you have provided. It has been extremely useful in planning my trip. I hope to be able to contribute as well after my return.

have you seen jamesA's plea for people to keep their thai travel plans??

there is NO infrastructer prob in Bangkok. people in high rises felt the quake but those of us in the lower floors felt NOTHING..

I call them as i see em. Many "tourists" especfially fodorites don't seem too be the type that looks for "real life" experiences when they go on vacation.. which is cool, vacation/holiday too many is a time too relax and sit by a pool..

thats why I posted on a diffrent thread. To may'be stay away from BKK for a week or so becouse you may come accross some people who may have lost a loved one or something. and hearing storis like that can be depressing in any occasion...

yestersay I took a stroll too the gym and I saw a influx of short and sandle wearing tourists. some of them had that glazzed what the heck is going on, look too them it was strange.. but may'be it was me reading too much into the situation and the person just could not find the burger king he was looking for.

I've never been one too pramote people coming too a place just too chip in.. especially after a disaster.. "come too Iraq they need the your tourist money".. just use your gut instinct in these matters and as time goes on (which is usually with in a couple of months everyone will realize the scope of what happened and maybe choose too visit an area or not.

If you have a difrent philosophy on life and travel then WELCOME to bangkok.. the city looks biutifull with all its new years lights and life hasn't changed much..

all the opinions about finding other destination around thailand are verry good.

It will take much more than keeping your travel plans to assist in this disaster. I sincerely hope that all of you "regulars" who have so enjoyed all that Thailand has to offer (including low prices) will give back by making generous donations to the many relief organizations that are providing aid.

My husband and I were in BKK when the earthquake and tsunami happened. We didn't know that such a disaster had happened until our family called us in the afternoon on December 26.

We're shocked and sad because we actually know people who are in Phuket and we know some of them have family missing. But everything was absolutely normal in Bangkok, including situations in hotel and in the airport.

In the end, I don't think there will be any confusion in Bangkok and other areas other than the south. But whether you go or not is your choice, as the other posters said.

Best wishes.

as rhkkmk said i dont think anything happened at the marriott. we just LOVED that place and hope you do to!

I am at the bangkok Marriot R&S now and it is great. Do not change your plans. I am having a great time!!

I am also in Bangkok now and there is absolutely no problem. Keep your travel plans and also, please, I hope all of us give as generously as we can.

This is good news.. I have a dear friend, a young girl, who is leaving next week for Bangkok for a college project dealing from what I understand is the "purification of water"...Now I can feel better about her upcoming trip.