Still uneasy about January trip to Thailand
 

We are scheduled to go to Bangkok, Chaing Mai, and now Koh Samui (was Krabi, but we changed itinerary) next week. While we understand that the areas to which we are travelling were not directly impacted by the Tsunami - we are getting very mixed local feedback from our friends and family. Many are shocked that we would still be going and are worried for our health and safety and do not believe that the mood would be anything but truly somber. We also understand that the local economy depends on our tourist money - however, we just want to know if we should just wait until later this year before going.
The bottom line is that we want to enjoy our trip - not feel "guilty" about sightseeing in a region stricken by tragedy - and want to have a rich and rewarding experience of Thailand as this is our first trip.
Any opinions??

You should so very similar to our situation. We too are leaving this next week and I was planning on cancelling after feeling so overcome with grief about the situation. Take a look at the threads sent on searching my name for the relpies. It is our first trip there too and after people tell you things that are often said without understanding all the facts it can really put a black cloud over the whole experience. For us we decided to go because maybe in a very small way tourists can help. A kid word, a hug, gift or just

I didn't mean to send that yet hit the wrong button!
Anyway that's how we looked at (Kind not kid)
So who knows -- the trip will be a different experience than we planned but may be life changing.
I think after we leave and stop recieving well meaning advice we will still have a wonderful trip and hope the same for you.

Go and don't feel guilty! We flew into Bangkok after the tragedy and it was business as usual. Koh Samui was not affected and it is a fabulous place to relax. Chiang Mai & surrounds are wonderful. Have a magic holiday. Family & friends sometimes don't have the full picture! Thailand needs us!

It would be terrible if the media kept people from from traveling to Thailand right now. The input from all the Thais I've seen/read/heard is that they want us to come back. Avoid the places that are still recovering from the tragedy, but most of Thailand was physically untouched by it. Express your sympathy; spend your money.

Thailand ( and the other countries affected ) need the support of visitors. A very large percentage of people who work in tourism areas actually come from some of the more rural areas of Thailand and send money home to support families, so wherever you travel you are helping in some way to help more people than you imagined. I think everyone whether Thai or not agrees that although such a heart-wrenching tragedy life simply 'must' go on. Just as after 9/11 New York needed visitors and support so now do those countries affected. In Buddhism there is a time for grief, but then there is a time for life, and this 'must' go on.
Thank you for choosing to come.

Repeating I know but although such a tragedy life has to continue and you will find all those places you are going operating as normal.
So many have given so generously, prayed and made such kind comments, the sooner we can move on the better, this shouldn't become a 'double' tragedy where places suffer unnecessarily due to people not visiting when there is no cause or reason not to, that just adds economic suffering and all theat entails.
Just like Hurricane damage in Florida business have to get moving so as people can keep their jobs and families can survive.

We have just come back from Thailand and were in Krabi (Nakimanda Hotel, nr Ao Nong) when the Tsunami hit until the 2nd January. I can promise you that the best thing you can do for the region is to go ahead with your visit.

This isn't just my opinion, it's the opinion of every Thai person I spoke whislt I was there.

You mention that the mood would be 'truly somber'. There is of course great sadness but this is combined with a desire to move forward and start to rebuild for the future. You will find that people are friendly and open - they are all keen to talk about the tragedy and losses but any conversation will only lead you to reaffirm that you made the right decision in going.

As far as infrastructure, health, safety etc are concerned you need have no worries. Even the tourist trips (boating, snorkelling, diving etc) are back up and running now. I would even suggest that you consider changing back to Krabi from Koh Samui.

Just heard from my good friend in Phuket directly this morning. It is safe to go there. Infrastructure intact. Patong is where the newsmedia concentrated much of their reporting. My friend feels much of it was overblown. Yes, Patong was where the worst damage was ,but other parts of the island are fine.
I have been to Thailand and to that area 3 times and would not hesitate to return even at this time. If I had a trip planned to Sri Lanka or Indonesia then I would cancel,but Thailand I would go and enjoy.
They need the tourism and as suggested this would be a great way to contribute to helping the people get back their life.

Just like jamesa said, they really need touritst right now! I just talked with my friend Nui who is a guide in BKK and he said that he might lose his job because so many people cancelled their upcoming trips, but he also said that there is no reason at all to not come right now:) Please go and have a great wonderful time and let us know all about it when you get back home!

Please, please come we need you and you won’t necessarily come into contact with the tsunami problems.

Email me if you would like to meet up in Chiang Mai [email protected]

Just to update, the only Phuket Beach that needs to be avoided is Kamala Beach where there is still a lot of cleaning up being done. 80% and more of all hotel rooms/hotels on Phuket are fine and open. Phi Phi Island and Khao Lak (which is several hours north of Phuket need to be avoided). Although there is now long term help being provided to local villages and communities in the region Government, Organisations and Businesses are contributing. Except for avoiding those obvious places the rest of Thailand is, and has been, fully open and operating as normal.
I just read on local reports from reliable tourism agencies that Chiang Mai, Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin etc are recording very very high occupancy rates, Krabi area around Ao Nang is fine, some 'pockets areas' of Krabi were affected but Ao Nang is fully open as normal. Overall arrivals are still at a good pace. Thailand has reacted very fast indeed in this respect. A lot of regular visitors know well the natural Thai fortitude, tragedy yes, but don't beleive everything you hear and see in the media. As Tangata says, come, enjoy yourselves, and you are contributing in the best way possible.

There is absolutely no reason to change your trip. Go and you'll have a wonderful time.

Our family has just returned from 3 weeks in Bangkok and Koh Samui and so we were there when the tsunami hit. We weren't even aware of it until family from the UK telephoned us about it (Phuket is about 100 miles away from Koh Samui). I would echo the comments here that the best thing you could do is to go on your trip as planned and support the Thais in that way. You will enjoy your trip.

We just got back late Sunday night from Maldives, Singapore and southern Thailand (see other posts). I would say there is little reason NOT to go--unless you are going to be so worried that you really can't enjoy yourself. If that is the case, then consider donating what you would have spent on the trip. The Thai tourism bureau and locals are encouraging visitors--they are very dependent upon tourism income and this is now the third year of diasters in that area (asian flu, SARS and now this). The three areas you are considering are a long distance from where the tidal waves hit. You are more at risk of getting sunburnt or travelers diarrhea than anything else. And for that, wear a hat and sunscreen; and drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. We always travel with pedialyte or ceralyte powdered mix, anti-diarrheal meds (e.g, Immodium), Cipro antibiotic pills or prescription, and keep immunizations up to date (e.g., Hepatitis A). Don't take just our word for it--see the lonelyplanet website. They have an excellent summary of points to consider whether you should go, and link to a page which provides the status of each location. Notice that the State Department only warns against travel to the areas which were directly hit by the tsunami--not the areas you are considering. Take email addresses and phone numbers so that you can keep in touch with your worried friends and family.

Just got back from 10 days in Bangkok and Koh Samui. If you didn't turn on the tv you wouldn't know anything ever happened in Thailand. Both places were extremely exciting. I could move there tomorrow. The most beautiful scenery and the most gracious people that I have ever encountered. Many thanks to JamesA for his fine direction.

Glad you enjoyed yourself.