I just heard on the news that thousands of troops were deployed in Thailand as rival political groups held separate protests, one of which turned violent. Do I need to worry about traveling there this fall?

No need to worry as the violent part of the protest was near the Cambodian border and it's over the sovereignty of a landmark. There was a non violent protest in Bangkok but that's just part of the Thai people's thing and does not affect the tourist or even myself!

I will not change my plans to go to Bangkok in October, and then again for the Christmas/New Year holidays.

I went out as usual yesterday, and aside from some heavier than usual traffic on Sukhumvit, nothing else was out of place. As Hanuman said, the violent protests were at the border. The one in Bangkok was confined to the area around parliament, and was less of an event that a TEA party on the mall.

Yes, there were some skirmishes and injuries but they were in a very remote area of Thailand, well off the beaten track. After a smaller than usual peaceful protest yesterday in Bangkok, all the red shirts have disappeared. No-one was affected in any way. Living in Bangkok, we only knew it was happening becuse of watching the news.

Thanks for the replies. I remember there some protests at the airport earlier this year which caused flight problems. Has that happened again this year?

Nah all is normal there. I flew back yesterday and apart from a delay with our luggage there's nothing out of the norm at the airport.

Hanuman, a delay in getting luggage at Suvarnabhumi IS normal! ;-)

I think it safe to say it's VERY unlikely (never say never) that we'll ever see an airport shutdown again.

I hope you are right, Michael. That airport shutdown did a lot of damage to tourism. I hope all factions realize this and NEVER do it again.. but like you said, never say never.
Carol