If you thought things died down in Thailand, think again
Jun 27th, 2009, 05:54 AM
#1
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If you thought things died down in Thailand, think again
A message I got from the American embassy in Thailand:
June 27, 2009
This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bangkok
that as many as 30,000-50,000 supporters of the United Front for
Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or Red-Shirts) will congregate
in Sanam Luang beginning Saturday, June 27th at 1700 continuing until
Sunday morning.
We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to
be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. American citizens are urged to avoid the area of Sanam Luang
or to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and
health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll
line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to
register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy
is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen
Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling
66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after hours
emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.
I had contemplated spending some time in BKK at the end of a Cambodia/Laos trip next March but I'm going to reconsider. I was stranded for 6 days last November in Phuket and don't want to go through that again.
June 27, 2009
This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bangkok
that as many as 30,000-50,000 supporters of the United Front for
Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or Red-Shirts) will congregate
in Sanam Luang beginning Saturday, June 27th at 1700 continuing until
Sunday morning.
We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to
be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. American citizens are urged to avoid the area of Sanam Luang
or to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and
health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll
line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).
American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to
register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy
is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen
Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling
66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after hours
emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.
I had contemplated spending some time in BKK at the end of a Cambodia/Laos trip next March but I'm going to reconsider. I was stranded for 6 days last November in Phuket and don't want to go through that again.
Jun 27th, 2009, 05:59 AM
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I wouldn't worry as this is a different kind of situation from the one that happened last year. How ever, if you are worried then I would skip Thailand and find another way to go to Angkor and LP, perhaps through Singapore or Vietnam.
Jun 27th, 2009, 07:31 AM
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Yes, this is an entirely routine announcement. Read announcements from places you know a lot about, and you'll see that the state department warns about everything.
Given your experience last year, I expect you are very sensitive to such announcements. Do keep up on what is happening in Thailand (and any place you are considering traveling to). As Hanuman says, this is a very different situation. But if you are uncomfortable traveling to Thailand, don't go. There are other ways to get to Cambodia and Laos.
Given your experience last year, I expect you are very sensitive to such announcements. Do keep up on what is happening in Thailand (and any place you are considering traveling to). As Hanuman says, this is a very different situation. But if you are uncomfortable traveling to Thailand, don't go. There are other ways to get to Cambodia and Laos.
Jun 28th, 2009, 11:00 AM
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Except that we were supposed to be in Cambodia, but couldn't get there. We were so close....We couldn't get anywhere else in SE Asia either.
Phuket was not where I would ever choose to vacation. Too touristy for me. And I got food poisoning and very sick for a day. At least the stay in Phuket ended up being free as the travel insurance paid up for the hotels, meals, and transportation expenses for our diverted return to the US after I fought them on the claim.
Phuket was not where I would ever choose to vacation. Too touristy for me. And I got food poisoning and very sick for a day. At least the stay in Phuket ended up being free as the travel insurance paid up for the hotels, meals, and transportation expenses for our diverted return to the US after I fought them on the claim.
Jun 28th, 2009, 09:38 PM
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The US government has nerve to hand out warnings against places like Thailand. Perhaps governments around the world ought to warn their citizens against travel to the US - ie... mass shootings in public, terrorists threats, daylight robberies etc....
The red-shirts are no problem anymore and they have insisted that there will be no more trouble..
The red-shirts are no problem anymore and they have insisted that there will be no more trouble..
Jun 28th, 2009, 11:24 PM
#9
Ah, well, if they insist, then ok.
It is a warning not to go to a specific place at a specific time and is not a warning against "Thailand".
Other governments <u>should</u>, and probably do, have some warnings about travel in the U.S.
It is a warning not to go to a specific place at a specific time and is not a warning against "Thailand".
Other governments <u>should</u>, and probably do, have some warnings about travel in the U.S.
Jun 29th, 2009, 05:57 AM
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After reading this travel warning, I wondered whether our state department or other countries warned people to avoid US cities yesterday, as there would be demonstrations and marches in nearly every major city in the US and a great many smaller cities as well. The demonstrators themselves are peaceful, but sometimes counter-demonstrators can get nasty.
Jun 29th, 2009, 09:28 PM
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State depts always err on the side of caution - because things can change.....
Next week is a 5 DAY HOLIDAY for many people in Thailand which means it's a good time to have a demo. It also means that it can be extended if necessary.
The Thai economy is rocky, a lot have lost their jobs and the PM is unelected. There is a lot to stir up trouble about.
In the recent demos all the confrontation has been kept to a very restricted area, one can see no reason why it would spill out onto the streets in general this time.......but TIT!
Next week is a 5 DAY HOLIDAY for many people in Thailand which means it's a good time to have a demo. It also means that it can be extended if necessary.
The Thai economy is rocky, a lot have lost their jobs and the PM is unelected. There is a lot to stir up trouble about.
In the recent demos all the confrontation has been kept to a very restricted area, one can see no reason why it would spill out onto the streets in general this time.......but TIT!
Jul 1st, 2009, 05:26 AM
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KW, if you live in Thailand, you must know that the PM is not elected directly by the people - no PM is in Thailand, that's not how it works. The election and coalition process that resulted in the selection of this PM was legal and valid.
Jul 1st, 2009, 06:58 AM
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I see our beautiful but delete happy editor has erased my response to wilko. For those wishing to know accurate information on Thai national holidays click on this link: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/1428.php?id=984
For Thai election process Kathie has explained it quite well.
For Thai election process Kathie has explained it quite well.
