Alternatives to BKK on short notice

[djfuzz]

We've been monitoring the situation in BKK and were still pretty keen to go despite the protests. However, these last skirmishes have seen the travel warning upgraded to 'reconsider your need to travel', so I think we're out of luck.

Which puts and end to our carefully planned SC run out of Singapore. CX says on their website that they will waive rebooking or rerouting fees, but I'm not sure that helps us much now that the sale is over. Not sure we'll have much luck with the hotel either, given it was booked and paid for during the Accor sale.

So my question is, does anyone have any quick recommendation at short notice for alternative places to go (maybe even SC beneficial) ex-SIN? I suppose we could stay at BKK and book a new flight from there as well, but that's still a risk, I would imagine.

 

[rambisyouth]

Have you thought about somewhere else aside from BKK such as Hua Hin? Personally I think it will be fine although I guess it depends a little bit on what hotel you booked. Sukhumvit would be better than the Siam area.

 

[djfuzz]

We booked Pullman King Power, not far from the Victory Monument.

Have definitely considered elsewhere in Thailand, but rather unhelpfully, the travel warning appears to apply to all of Thailand.

Really don't know - was happy to soldier on for most of the time and go anyway, given the fact that the situation was localised, but if our travel insurance has become useless, then I can't help but start looking elsewhere.

 

[rambisyouth]

I completely understand about the travel insurance. If you weren't covered that would be a deal breaker. Do you know 100% whether this is the case?

I think the the chances of disruption to savvy tourists is almost zero. I think Sukhumvit would be fine - plenty of bars, shops and restaurants and nice hotels. You can use the MRT to bypass Chidlom and Siam. As unlikely as it is, the worst scenario in my view is another airport closure.

I wonder if Novotel would let you change to another location given the warnings? If you want to sontinue with the status run the the airport Novotel would be a good option, although relatively expensive and pretty boring.

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks for the feedback rambisyouth.

TI is a bit strange - have been trying to clarify. My understanding is that all loss caused/contributed to by terrorism is excluded, which I believe includes what's happening there now. Still trying to determine what cover we may have though.

At worst, we would have been content just to stay in the hotel - terrible waste of a holiday, but if it was the difference between staying safe or not, I think it's a small price. If, as you say, things are les disruptive outside the zone, that may have been great. Simply don't know at the moment though.

One thing's for sure - I'm cursing CX's sale finishing in March!

 

[peachy3333]

I guess you should put some comments about what you want to do also. And what you hope to achieve with your new destination, that would help!

 

[Alanslegal]

I personallly can't see any changes to the current standoff unless there is a forced (and unwanted) move by army to remove/dispell the Red Shirt protestors.

It's exactly two months from now that I will be heading off to coughet for a few days before then onto Bangkok for another few - and already am following this very very closely.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I am due in Bangkok on Wednesday. I have a partner and apartment in the eastern suburbs. ill be still going at this stage.... obviously avoiding the conflict areas. I am assessing this on a daily basis. It's a disaster for the people of Thailand, Thai Airways, Tourism etc are going to suffer another heavy loss. It will most likely come back as it tends to do Thailand but I think this time will take longer.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I personallly can't see any changes to the current standoff unless there is a forced (and unwanted) move by army to remove/dispell the Red Shirt protestors.

It's exactly two months from now that I will be heading off to coughet for a few days before then onto Bangkok for another few - and already am following this very very closely.

I would suggest the current electoral commission fraud court case might be the answer, watch it get fast forwarded from here.... much like it did with the airport closure in 2008

 

[dajop]

What about flying into BKK as planned and straight out again? Either to elsewhere in Thailand (eg coughet, Krabi, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai), or if you believe that still null and voids your travel insurance, then what about Cambodia (Siem Reap &/or Phnom Penh), Penang, or (depending if you can get a visa in time) to Vietnam (I know visas can be arranged online through some Vietnamese travel cos and picked up on arrival)?

 

[djfuzz]

Thanks for the suggestions dajop and others - had definitely been considering hopping on a flight out somewhere nearby. We arrive quite late at night and leave early in the morning, so we'd have to overnight twice in any case.

TI situation is becoming clearer - we're not covered for cancellation, but the policy isn't void so that's helpful. Will investigate the alternatives and keep watching what happens - have some friends in Sukhumvit who also seem to think things are okay outside of the immediate area. Will have to see.

 

[JohnK]

So my question is, does anyone have any quick recommendation at short notice for alternative places to go (maybe even SC beneficial) ex-SIN? I suppose we could stay at BKK and book a new flight from there as well, but that's still a risk, I would imagine.

If you are really worried about the situation in BKK (and I can understand your concern) then why not forego the hotel cost and book a return out of BKK airport the same day back to SIN and stay in SIN or go to Penang, KL or somewhere else.

It will most likely come back as it tends to do Thailand but I think this time will take longer.

I do not believe this will be the case. I have had 20+ trips to Thailand in the last 6-7 years and every year I have been noticing the number of tourists dropping. The last Christmas/New Year period was more like low season than the high season it has been in many previous years.

And the silly Thai mentality (don't mean to be derogatory) is when tourist numbers are down then up the prices to make up for it. Unfortunately this does not work....