Safety & Politics in Thailand
 

Wish I understood the real politics behind all this civil unrest and whether it will now be resolved or just the beginning...Not knowing Thai politics, I have been reading through all the recent newspaper articles, but wondering which side of the political spectrum is "right". Anyone care to explain.

Also, now that the old government has been disbanded, do you think there will be a peaceful resolution, is it safe to travel to Thailand and is this best for the Thais?

i have felt all along that given thailands political history over the last 20-30 years that it is very safe always to travel in thailand...

As Bob says, Thailand has always been a safe place for tourists. Any unrest has never been aimed at visitors. That said, this situation is a bit different. In the past, one governemnt gets dissolved, another takes its place.

There is no question the Taksim government was corrupt, and his successors have been stand-ins (like the just resigned PM, his brother in law) seem to be little different.

I'd love to see an election without the complications of the ever-morphing PPP.

I have tried to understand Thai politics as well.

There is not a right or left party that I have been able to identify.

can we put it this way...like many countries it all boils down to money and power....

the king is reaching an age when he will step down or die....the crown prince has not been liked very well by the people..

strong rich men like sinwatra (sp) (taskin) want to take over the country

the thai people love their king and all he has done for them and the country over many decades...they would love for things to continue like they were say 5 years ago...many of them like sinwatra for the things his government gave to them (mostly people upcountry--rural farmers, etc)... bkk people however like more modern politics.

its a classic struggle really...

what other country would allow this take over to go on for over one week without doing anything....and also to ruin the tourist industry for the next 5 years or so....only in thailand...you gotta love them...

there are lots of stories about payoffs and future payoffs if certain things are allowed to happen...we shall have to wait and see i guess....

IN THE MEANTIME I WILL RETURN TO THAILAND AS OFTEN AS I CAN AND LOVE EVERY MINUTE OF IT....I WOULD GO TOMORROW AND DO WHATEVER I HAD TO DO TO GET TO BANGKOK...

Have plans to travel to VN, Cambodia and Thailand the end of January and all these events are making decision difficult. The following is a travel alert posted on the Australian governments travel warning site. This sounds a little more dangerous than what has been going on lately. Would you still consider going??
Summary
•We strongly advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand at this time because of the very uncertain political situation, ongoing disruptions to flights and severe congestion at airports. On 2 December 2008, Thailand’s Constitution Court dissolved three of the ruling coalition parties, increasing political uncertainty in the short term.
•There is a high threat of terrorist attack. We continue to receive reports that terrorists may be planning attacks against a range of targets, including tourist areas and other places frequented by foreigners.

Only you can decide what you are comfortable with. I'd suggest you wait a while - your trip about 8 weeks away. Many things will happen in that time which will make your decision clearer.