What about situation in Thailand?
 

Hi,

In August I´m going for trip to Thailand. I´m a little bit scare because of the martial law. Somebody know sth more about situation there? should i change a destination?

NO...I am going on sept 15 with no plans for any changes..

avoid the democracy monument area.. stay along the river

Follow what's going on here: https://mobile.twitter.com/richardbarrow

Also read this: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand - I find the UK advice less alarmist than the US.

None of us here have a crystal ball.

I'm going the last two weeks in July and again for the holidays end of December! I have no plans to stay home instead!

Democracy Monument used to be the gathering area of the large groups of demonstrators, but the military has a handle on things and are not allowing demonstrations to form. There is no obvious area to "avoid" right now, but rhkkmk has a good suggestion for you to stay at a hotel along the river instead of the Sukhumvit or Siam areas of the city.

I'm going to Thailand next month for three weeks. Seems the situation is better now than it was 14 days ago, so I hope there will be no problems.

It's very unlikely that there'll be any disruptions of any sort over the next several months. The military junta has taken over with an iron hand, and they've effectively stopped not only any protests, but pretty much any dissent whatsoever. This doesn't apply only to street demonstrations -- they're going after people who complain about the coup online. One senior police official told the Associated Press a day or two ago, ‘‘I want to tell any offenders on social media that police will come get you. Any expressions of political views online must be done in a way that will not incite divisiveness.’’ To show they mean business, they arrested Sombat Boonngamanong and tossed him in jail for encouraging people to show opposition to the coup by silently raising a three-finger, Hunger Games-like salute in public.

So, it's not at all likely that tourists will run into any dangers or even inconveniences. The potential exception would be if something akin to a civil war were to break out, but at this point it's difficult to see that happening.

It does raise the question for some people whether going to Thailand shows implicit support for the military junta and the liberties that they've taken from the Thai people. As pointed out by another poster, though, few travelers -- myself included -- have decided not to visit China due to its internal politics and restrictions.

Curfew has just been lifted nationwide. That's good! It's interesting to read how protesters are protesting. One way was to "eat sandwiches" and now it's "read a book on the sky train" in protest. There was also advice to tourists not to wear red. Richard Barrow on twitter (google it) is always an interesting quick read.

yellow ok?

Tourists can wear red. What rubbish advice.

Wear whatever u like kura. The army doesnt care if u wear a yellow or red tshirt or soccer jersey.

its not the army i'm worried about.

So true, kuranosuke.

There is a lot of stress in Thailand right now.

Whatever one can do, to fly under the radar, might be the wise option.

Besides, there are some forum members who wouldn't be caught dead wearing red!

Who r u worried about?

Tourists wear red and yellow tshirts all the time

Nobody cares unless it has political words written on it

I have a red shirt with a deernon the front. Should I avoid Canada in case someone tries to shoot?

I'm confused. Is there some symbolic association between the color red, deer and Canada? Maple leaves and moose, perhaps...?

That said, do you often get mistaken for woodland creatures?

Makes as much sense as people scared wearing red in Thailand.

Wearing red is the latest "protest" since large groups are not allowed. Reading 1984 while eating a sandwich was another. Best to remain under the radar.

Go about your business and follow Ricard Barrow's tweets.

Who cares about RB. I wear red and yellow tshirts all the time.

Thai people know the diff bt a farang tourist wearing a harmless tshirt and a Thai protestor.

Prachuap, could you update your Fodor's profile page ?

Knowing a little more about you might help me understand your attitude.