Given the recent political protests and subsequent travel advisories issued by most governments, do you still think it's safe to travel to Thailand? I have a trip booked at the beginning of October, and I really hope I don't have to cancel it :(

This is a repeat of a post I made to Andy a couple of days ago when he asked the same questions:

Nobody can answer these questions, nobody from the gov' nor any journalists can say what will happen next. However, it does appear that the current situation will not just stop and go away, it's too far advanced for that, so the indications are that the situation will get worse, and probably end with another coup.
However, these things happen fairly regularly in Thailand and for most people, locals & tourists, life goes on as usual. As long as tourists keep well away for the hot spots and demonstrations, and avoid voicing any opinions, you'll be OK. The main areas for concern with tourists are airports or transportation troubles: having flights cancelled or trains/buses disrupted. And nobody can predict that happening. Should you worry or cancel? Depends. If you are aged or have very young children then I'd be a bit concerned about the effects of inconvenience, like being stranded at an airport for a couple of days. I guess this is a case of going with your instincts. If you feel very worried and even scared then cancel your plans, you don't need stress on your holidays. If on the other hand you feel "no wuckin' furries mate" then go for it.

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You're only young once, but you can stay immature forever.

Hi, I've been living in Bangkok for 5 years as an expat and there have been so many protests, even some riots. But these incidents only took place in the political area of Bangkok where tourists don't normally come. So none of these incidents was seen by me and none of them affected me at all. I'd say that it's pretty safe in Bangkok and life keeps going on.
However, you still need to follow the news and you can keep the trip, as long as there is not an incident that you are informed by your govt./immigration that you cannot fly on that date.

I understand your concerns - in about a week, we have a friend coming to Thailand for her first visit and she's a bit concerned about what she's seen on tv in Australia.

We arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday night - airport was quiet and hardly anybody in queues at immigration - apparently a lot of tour groups have cancelled due to the publicity in their home countries.
We got a phone call tonight from someone back home telling us that Thailand was about to descend into civil war!

The demonstratons are apparently in the administrative area near the Grand Palace but in and around the downtown areas/tourist areas there's NO SIGN of anything out of the ordinary - very much business as usual.
Yesterday when I was at the haridresser I was invited to go to the demonstrations with her (I politely declined).

I've seen news reports on CNN & BBC tv which suggest that the situation is not safe, but that certainly isn't what we've seen in Sathorn, Silom or Pratunam. Nothing is out of the ordinary and if you didn't watch tv or read the Bangkok Post, you wouldn't even know there were demonstrations anywhere here.

As BobMac says, we can't predict how things will be in October (or perhaps even tomorrow) but ourown government (Australian) has issued a travel warning for Thailand and if we'd heeded that warning, we wouldn't even be here.

If things take a turn for the worse, we'll adapt our plans then.

You get more exciting things at your hairdresser. I just get "what are your plans for the holidays" and "do you have a daughter that lives in Australia" It appears that most customers have.
Jackie

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

While it's true you can be in BKK and not know anything extraordinary is happening, and the troubles/protests are really only confined to one or two small areas, our governement must issue these travel warnings because the situation could explode at any moment and result in the army taking over, riots, deaths, in fact a "civil war". Remember one person has already been killed, and in the past there have been many killed through these political upheavels, including Australian cameraman Neil Davis in the late 1980s.

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You're only young once, but you can stay immature forever.

You're not wrong jax - this hairdresser is a source of very good info. Not only did she want to take me to the protest rally, but she suggested sources of employment if I was interested in working in Bangkok AND also gave me all the details of her eyelift surgery, just in case I wanted same (should I have got the huff or what???)

I've actually been getting my hair done at her salon for the past five years - despite the small and rather shabby salon, she's an excellent cutter, speaks very good English and charges a pittance. I pay a visit every time I'm here.

If anyone needs a cut or colour when in Bangkok, write here and I'll post the details.

It seems BobMac and I were writing at the same time - I didn't see the latest message.
Yes BobMac, you're right. I wrote my previous comments more or less to reassure people that there isn't mayhem on the streets of Bangkok which is the message that some people might be getting.
At the moment all is calm and ordinary.
But as you say, this could all change suddenly in which case people would need to be a lot more cautious.
2nd September Memo to all guests in our hotel advising of state of emergency and that enhanced security has been implemented at entry and exit points of hotel - just precautionary but we still need to check tv news so that we're kept informed of the situation.

I'm currently in That Phanom, a sleepy little town built on the banks of the Mehkong river opposite Laos. If it wasn't for TV then nobody here would know there were troubles in BKK. Just peace & quiet here. In another hour or two I'm heading to a riverside restaurant to sink a few cold Heinies & knock down some spicy Lao-NE grub.
However, if I was planning a holiday in Thailand at this time I would be a bit concerned about air traffic and other transportation being disrupted, which has already happened, that would especially concern me if I had children with me too.

__________________
You're only young once, but you can stay immature forever.

eh bob wish I was there. instead I am going to London and the off round europe on a coach being filmed for a TV show until i get voted off. Could be back soon then !!!

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Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.