visit Thailand?
 

We are thinking of making a trip to Thailand for a week in November. However with all the political unrest going on there we are having second thoughts. Of course no one can predict what will happen in the future, but what are your thoughts on going during this time?

Go for it! You'll have a great time.

I'm headed to Bangkok in October/November and am not concerned about the current unrest. Of course, I don't plan on joining any demonstrations.

Thailand has had quite a number of changes in government over the years.

And we're getting another one today. Although, it looks like the "new" government will be the same as the "old" one, so not much chance of anything changing.

That said, I and most of the rest of the country are going about our business as normal. You can come, no problem. In fact, with many hotels in a panic over the situation, you can probably get some good deals for the high season.

A bigger issue for you, in Bangkok, may be the funeral of the late princess, which will be held from 14 to 19 November. Access to the Grand Palace or National Museum may be limited during that time.

thanks for the posts. With the news released today about how Samak will abandon his bid I think we will go ahead with this trip!

whoadude

Absolutely, go ahead with your trip. I was in Bangkok when this whole protest thing started. I never felt threatened in any way. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip.

GO!!!

I think the best time to avoid Thailand is the day the King passes on. It will be total chaos the day that happens.

I left Bangkok 5 days ago - didn't encounter any problems. These political demonstrations come up every now and then - just avoid the areas where they are massing. Rest of Bangkok was pretty normal.

You could change your holiday plans and go to another country that suddenly has political problems too! Stuff happens, I got stuck overseas on NineEleven. Once I got delayed in Manila because of some bombs going off - "stuff" can happen anywhere!

Go for it!

Yes, "stuff" can happen. I was in BKK when the bombs went off , around the city, on New Year's Eve 2006, and one in my neighborhood. I, however, didn't leave BKK and come back to the States. I was on the skytrain, the next day, with the rest of the folks. Thais are very resilient.
The skytrain wasn't as crowded as it usually is, but then again it was New Year's Day and it's usually less crowded on New Year's Day. So, I don't know if there were fewer people due to the bombs, the day before, or due to the holiday. It was a bit eerie the day after though. But, folks were moving about and at the malls. There was a lot of security and security checks at mall entrances.

So, when I turn on the news here, at home, and see reports on what's happening in BKK, I wait to get here to the forum to see if a fellow fodorite is there and reporting back just as I reported back on the bombings.
The news is so sensationalized here, but it's no there. A Thai friend translated the Thai TV news for me. I also watched CNN, BBC, and Fox as I have cable TV.

One thing that I found interesting was that some of the English-speaking news was reporting as if all New Year's Eve festivities had been cancelled. It was not true. I was standing , on my terrace, watching the usual fireworks go off and I could see them going off in three different areas of the city. They went off just as they had the year before. Now, some festivities were canceled...like the one in the Central World Plaza/Gaysorn mall area. A bomb had gone off in that area. My Thai friend and I had just been in that area shopping earlier that day.

While I was watching the fireworks, I had either CNN, BBC, or Fox on TV and it was being reported that the festivities had been canceled.

You have to decide what your comfort level is, but as far as I'm concerned, the situation in BKK, won't cause me to cancel my Dec/Jan trip. Happy Travels!

Mango7: I agree. When that day comes, I can't even imagine what will happen to the country. It will be very heavy mourning. Happy Travels!

Hi

I would go again if I had the chance :-) Where in Thailand are you thinking about going?

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures