Travelling to Thailand?

by Peta

I am wanting to plan a trip to Thailand, but the current political situation is making me a little hesitant. I would be travelling solo and was just wondering how safe you think it would be to go there at the moment.

Answer:

Peta, I'm actually writing this from Thailand, on 12 May. Tonight the army has given the Red Shirts an ultimatum - vacate the city or else. So it's not clear what will happen. Your best bet would be to stay tuned to some web-based news sources, both local, as in the Bangkok Nation or international sources like CNN News or the BBC. I'd also post a question on one of the main travel forums, BootsNAll or Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree.

I don't think going solo has much to do with the situation - having a travel companion probably wouldn't make much difference. Most important is to monitor the situation, and also realize that unless things get really ugly, protests tend to be localized in certain parts of the city.

Also bear in mind that the protests, at least for the time being, are in Bangkok only, and don't affect the rest of the country (although of course this could change). There are other entry points, including Phuket and land borders so if it's Thailand you want, you can easily cross over from Laos or Malaysia and avoid the protests.

I did think twice before coming over last week but I'm on Koh Samui, an island an hour's flight away from Bangkok, and it's as though the protests were on another planet. Still, I'd probably avoid Bangkok for the time being, except to change planes. Tonight though, after the ultimatum ends, it might be a different story.

Ed. Note: For an update at 11 March 2011, please read How safe is Thailand with recent demonstrations in 2010?

Comments for
Travelling to Thailand?

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Thanks
by: Peta

Thanks very much for your reply. The links you posted will be helpful. Nice to get the perspective of someone in the country at the moment.
Dont worry too much
by: The Dame

Im in Phuket at the moment and there is nothing to worry about. In fact the Thai's are complaining that whats going on in Bangkok is hurting tourism. Id stay out of Bangkok but everywhere else is fine to go to.

Just a reminder, bring light loose clothes and lots of mosquito repellent, its extremely hot and humid here at the moment and its soon going to be the rainy season.
Most of Thailand is ok
by: Ann M

I'm in Samui (19th of May) and everything is very chilled. Things will presumably settle down in Bangkok too after today, but I did cancel my trip there for tomorrow to wait and see for another couple of days.

It has certainly looked bad in the media, but outside of the protest areas life has gone on as usual.

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