Bangkok civil unrest: "Reconsider your need to travel" - what now?

[misstam]

With the State of Emergency declared in Bangkok in recent days, I see today the Australian Government travel advice website has upgraded Thailand to include:
Bangkok and surrounding provinces (Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Nakon Pathom, Ayuthaya, Pratum Thani) - Reconsider your need to travel.

I have a trip planned to Bangkok for mum & myself in a couple of weeks, flying Jetstar.
The Jetstar site also has the following information posted:

Important information regarding situation in Bangkok

Flights to and from Thailand are operating as scheduled. Jetstar will continue to monitor the current situation in Bangkok and will provide future updates if the situation changes. If you require further information please contact Jetstar reservations.

I'm slightly concerned in that I have Jetsaver, ie: non refundable, tickets. At this point, i haven't booked any accommodation.
Can anyone shed any light on what may happen in this situation - if political unrest continues?

From what i can see, travel insurance doesn't usually cover cancellations in these circumstances - although i see from a previous thread last year (when BKK was shut down) that some insurers may have a change of heart. It appears in that situation though, that it applied to travellers already in Bangkok.

Ignoring travel warnings and going anyway....would you/have you?

At this stage, I have a mother who's freaking out a bit over the newspaper reports - I'm assuring her I'll keep an eye on how it progresses & wondering what kind of contingencies I need to be looking at?

Any thoughts most appreciated.

 

[Mal]

Just a few points of advice from me:

-Airlines tend to be sympathetic towards cancellations where these sorts of incidents arise and the Govt tells people to stay away. Keep an eye on the Jetstar/Qantas websites for updates under "Major Disruptions". Note that cancelling before an airline starts offering fare waivers will normally mean that normal cancellation fees apply.

-Some travel insurance particularly advises for people to stay away from countries that the Govt has warned against travel to. So if going to one of those countries, travel insurance could be very lacking.

-Thailand has interesting politics, and disruptions against the Government do not tend to target foreigners. (Note that this was not the case last time though, where the tourism industry was targetted via the BKK airport shutdown). In most cases, people do not notice political unrest except for additional army vehicles around the place and media articles.

Of course like has been mentioned in just about every DFAT piece of advice, travellers should always avoid protests, large marches and similar demonstrations - just in case things do get bad.

 

[samh004]

I thought Thailand has historically had issues with the government, it's just more pronounced these days since Thaksin was exiled and his supporters are getting very unruly.

I realise the last time it got really bad the airport was closed, but you'd think that'd happen very shortly seeing how the violence is escalating now. With your trip being in a couple weeks I'd assume if nothing has happened by then, nothing will, though I'm fully prepared to eat my words.

Anyway, personally, I'd go as long as nothing escalates (or if it does, as long as it's resolved before you fly). Make sure you're not due to visit any sights that are in areas where the protesters are gathering, and I'm sure your hotel will make sure you're not in danger.

 

[Chimpy]

The Trip Advisor Bangkok forum often has good information in cases like this.


Sorry,at this stage I am still too new to post a link, just Google

 

[Hvr]

Important information regarding situation in Bangkok

Flights to and from Thailand are operating as scheduled. Jetstar will continue to monitor the current situation in Bangkok and will provide future updates if the situation changes. If you require further information please contact Jetstar reservations.

I'm slightly concerned in that I have Jetsaver, ie: non refundable, tickets. At this point, i haven't booked any accommodation.
Can anyone shed any light on what may happen in this situation - if political unrest continues?

From what i can see, travel insurance doesn't usually cover cancellations in these circumstances - although i see from a previous thread last year (when BKK was shut down) that some insurers may have a change of heart. It appears in that situation though, that it applied to travellers already in Bangkok.

Ignoring travel warnings and going anyway....would you/have you?

I was there last year and got caught up in the airport blockade, spent five extra days there until I got out. My travel insurance paid all my extra accommodation and food costs.

Even though I was essentially safe I would recommend not going until the situation stabilises. This will take many, many years.

Even if you lose your fares at the end of the day it is only money, even if you don't have much. Your safety and peace of mind is much more important. The media reports are not good and my totally uninformed opinion is that it will get a lot lot worse before getting better. Also, given that the red shirts have a regional base of supporters there is every chance that it will spread if (when) the yellow shirts take the fight to them.

In Chiang Mai, about 3,000 red shirt protesters led by the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group blocked the main road linking Chiang Mai and Lamphun province.
In Chiang Rai's Muang district, about 500 protesters blocked traffic at Mae Korn intersection, barring vehicles from entering or leaving Chiang Rai.

With the current travel recommendations there is every chance your travel insurance company may not pay even if you do go. Check with them ahead of time.

It is not worth it, especially with your mum with you. Stay safe and choose another destination.

If you really must go then register with Smart traveller, keep a list of essential phone numbers such as the embassy, and various other essential numbers including Jetstar's local and regional phone numbers. Be ready to evacuate at a moments notice and accept that there will not really be any safe areas to visit. Keep your mobile phone well charged both with money and power, when you need these numbers it may take hours to get through.

Naturally do not pack anything that is red or yellow and practice your best, "I am a guest in your country and do not comment on internal matters" speech.

In summary; don't go.

 

[freofan]

This is only a personal opinion, however I was in BKK during/immediately after the military coup some years ago. We had no problems and if anything the tourist based industries where even more happy to see us!

As things stand at present I'd still go. The only way I wouldn't is if the protesters target the Airport, however last time that was the 'other' supporters who did that.

All the best.

 

[Dave Noble]

I would monitor the situation. If it stays at "reconsider your need to travel" , then I would definitely not go since your travel insurance will likely not cover you if you go. The companies in AU I have used have had clauses that state that they do not cover travel if the advisory is at that level

Check with your insurance on whether it will cover cancellation in this situation, since it may cover you against cancellation in this situation

Dave

 

[djfuzz]

Hope the people in Thailand right now are okay and that the situation improves.

This does throw a spanner in our travel plans a little - had planned to go through BKK to ICN in order to catch our DONE4 at the start of June.

Luckily I hadn't booked tickets to BKK yet, but I had literally just put through a booking with OZ last night for BKK-ICN tickets when I heard the news about the advisories, so am hoping to get on the phone with them as soon as their BKK office opens to try to cancel - there was nothing about no refund/cancellation in the terms on their site as I booked the ticket, but I understand that my options might be more limited once they actually issue the e-ticket (supposedly within three days). Not sure how sympathetic they will be to this issue, but worth a try at least.

Anyone have any experience with cancelling e-tickets before they're issued, whether or not in similar circumstances to this?

On the other hand, not sure how wise it is to stick it through hoping that the situation will improve in two months, especially if travel insurance is a little flaky about going ahead and booking travel to BKK now after the advisories have been issued.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

IMO I think that there is little risk of harm to tourists.................however I think that there is now a huge risk that travel in Thailand may find travellers suddenly severedly impacted by delays, no-go areas etc....and in particular if you use Bangkok as your gateway.

I love visiting Thailand..but will keep clear for a while.

 

[Flashback]

IMO I think that there is little risk of harm to tourists.................however I think that there is now a huge risk that travel in Thailand may find travellers suddenly severedly impacted by delays, no-go areas etc....and in particular if you use Bangkok as your gateway.

I love visiting Thailand..but will keep clear for a while.

If it were me, I'd probably spend more time around coughet and other 'relax' areas rather than Bangkok

 

[simongr]

If it were me, I'd probably spend more time around coughet and other 'relax' areas rather than Bangkok

Wasn't Pattaya the scene for disturbances over the weekend? That is a resort town as well... I know the ASEAN summit was being held there but I wouldn't risk travel to Thailand at the moment.

 

[Hvr]

If it were me, I'd probably spend more time around coughet and other 'relax' areas rather than Bangkok

coughet airport was blockaded for a week or so last year as well. Just not worth going to Thailand at all at the moment.

 

[toowongman]

coughet airport was blockaded for a week or so last year as well. Just not worth going to Thailand at all at the moment.

Absolutely. In 2006 it was the military taking over, in Bangkok...no worries at all. Since then, as others have said, the situation has been a lot more physical, violent and so on. This time it's regional as well... Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, trying to block the highways out of towns, etc. The red shirts are being wound up for a "revolution" every day by Thaksin through motivational speeches, teleconferences and so on. And the Thais can be fierce buggers when they need to be.

It could be over in 72 hours, or it could go the other way very quickly.
Have a look at Urban-terrorism tactics alienating the public - Nationmultimedia.com or catch up with 2Bangkok.com - Almost like being there, etc.

 

[misstam]

Thanks for all the replies, some very good points there.
Thanks Hvr for your account, as someone who has experienced the similar situation last year - you're quite right, at the end of the day it's much more important to be safe.

I did think of perhaps going to Chiang Mai/coughet/other islands.. but with the protests having spread to Chiang Mai (and other provinces) as Hvr mentioned, I won't be travelling to Thailand if the situation continues - especially as it's my mum's first overseas trip in about 20 years!

I noticed it was reported that UK travel providers were contacting customers due to fly soon, and offering them changes of itin/cancellations.
The Qantas website mentions changes/refunds for those flying on or before April 17 - the Jetstar site has stayed at the 'business as usual' type response.

Our flights aren't til April 30, so as Dave Noble suggests, I'll just continue to monitor the situation.

However, I haven't as yet purchased travel insurance - would i be correct in thinking that it if all goes belly-up & I don't travel, that the airlines would most likely offer changes/refunds and I'd just really be out of pocket for the travel cover (if i buy it now) that I didn't use? Of course, I'll go ahead and get TI if it looks like I'll still be travelling somewhere.

The main reason for our trip is dental holiday, so it's not imperative to go to Thailand. I'm sure if the situation stays the same, we could re-route to Phillipines/Malaysia.

It's always interesting to note that some people would feel confident in continuing their travel plans & others not. It's obviously a personal choice in determining the level of risk you're willing to take.

I did travel to Bali some years back, a fair while after the nightclub bombings. There were general low level warnings still current, but I felt quite safe & avoided the main touristy area. At the end of our trip, we had dinner on the beach... 2 weeks later, I saw the news of that beach restaurant being bombed. I suppose you naturally think - what if?

With the high level warnings as they are, I do hope anyone travelling in Thailand at the moment is safe (and has thrown any red/yellow tshirts in the bin). As toowongman pointed out:

It could be over in 72 hours, or it could go the other way very quickly.

 

[Saji]

Thailand somehow will come back to normal within a few days. I would still go. you can make hotel bookings with some of the reputed hotels where they allow you to cancel 48 hours in advance should there be a need to. Personally, I think bangkok will bounce back to normalcy soon.

 

[liparj]

Up to you if you want to cancel but here's my perspective for what it's worth ...

I flew into Bangkok on Saturday afternoon and am now in Chiang Mai (i'm flying Jet* too) ....no sign of trouble here as i would suspect is the case in parts other than where the red mob (UDD) have staged their protests...and besides, local news reports indicate the trouble is now well and truly over

Latest talk around town is that the red mob are more than redfaced and their support has dwindled..So there's little likelihood of any further trouble, at least in the short term. (but what do I know?). My heart does go out to those injured and killed.

The Thai community seems very concerned about the impact on the tourist dollar, particularly when numbers are down anyway...Tourists make up a large part of the Thai economy...There didn't seem to be a noticeable impact on airports and tourists with the latest protests..

I'm heading back to Bangkok on Friday then fly out on 22 April..From what the locals tell me I'm not too concerned..but that's me..

 

[serfty]

Our flights to/from BKK were booked last June so we would be covered under our TI policies.

Moday evening we watched the smoke rise from still burning buses from the top floor lounge of the millenium Hilton.

We were there from Sat thru Yesterday; we had some last hours shopping planned at Pantip and the nearby markets. As these were closer to the main areas of unrest we decided to simply have a relaxing morning in and around the hotel instead.

Flew out yesterday on time; all flights were full.

We would like to go back, but will not be doing so until the Reds and Yellows sort out their differences.

Note the deaths on Monday occurred with fighting between the opposing factions; the army were not involved in those instances.

Apparently by the end of yesterday all the roadblocks had been cleared.

 

[simongr]

Our Thai MD has advised our Asia Pac management not to visit for the forseeable future.

 

[flyer4703]

Like Serfty I have been in Bangkok for the last week and when the worst of the violence erupted I spent a relaxing day around the hotel.

The hotel had good advice on areas that were safe to visit and areas to avoid.

I had reservations at Banyan Tree's Vertigo restaurant for dinner on the night of the worst rioting and my hotel said it was perfectly safe to visit that area, but to avoid Siam Square.

The streets were much quieter than usual but other than that if I hadn't watched BBC and CNN I wouldn't have known there were any disturbances at all.

I wouldn't worry about violence directed at you. I will avoid visiting here again until things settle down but only because I can't afford to be away from my business for an extended period of time if the airports closed again.

 

[JerseyVics]

what usually happens when you have a flight going thru BKK?

I'm flying out end of July seems like forever from now, but still SYD-BKK-LHR... don't want to have any problems getting to London as I'm heading to France straight away.