Bangkok shutdown

[amaroo]

Not covered with Covermore either... that changes things possibly for me. I'm due there in 10 days for an overnight stop, but then back a week later for 3-4 days. I'll keep an eye on things.

I'd still go as the standard coverage is still intact for the normal everyday TI claims.

Medical is the big one for me.......no Medical = no go! Just make sure your morning jog doesn't take you into the middle of a dust-up....

 

[Himeno]

quite right, the 2008 shutdown of the airport was utterly absurd. I was fortunate to have just left the country the week before

I was part way through an LONE4 when that rioting and airport shutdown happened. I was meant to have a stop in BKK, but ended up skipping it and spending more time in SIN instead.
That was when the local Qantas Travel branch was still around. I had booked QF2 LHR-BKK, then CX BKK-SIN. When I was in MAD, BKK want nuts and governments were issuing travel warnings. A quick email to the travel agent and I was moved across to QF32.

I haven't had a chance to stop in Thailand since. It's currently on the plan for this year, but if they are starting up again... :/

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I haven't had a chance to stop in Thailand since. It's currently on the plan for this year, but if they are starting up again... :/

they haven't actually really stopped since then. It's always ongoing on and off since the coup of 06. This martial law today was imposed to prevent possible violent clashes over the coming weekend. That being said, the future is not bright for Thailand. The north and the south simply can not see eye to eye.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The Thais need to decide whether they want a democracy or not. The Yellow Shirts are against having an election, because they know the Red Shirts would win and they don't want that.

Perhaps the answer is to dissolve the parliament and the constitution, and revert to an absolute monarchy.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The Thais need to decide whether they want a democracy or not. The Yellow Shirts are against having an election, because they know the Red Shirts would win and they don't want that.

Perhaps the answer is to dissolve the parliament and the constitution, and revert to an absolute monarchy.

or split the country in half.....

 

[JohnPhelan]

The Thais need to decide whether they want a democracy or not. The Yellow Shirts are against having an election, because they know the Red Shirts would win and they don't want that.

Perhaps the answer is to dissolve the parliament and the constitution, and revert to an absolute monarchy.

......except that the Yellow Shirts don't like the Crown Prince (i.e. the next King) either !!!

 

[JohnK]

Its an incredibly complex issue and I have also been in and out of bangkok and Thailand continuously for a decade. Ill be in bkk on monday evening again and have no intention to change my plans at the moment. As others have said. .. as long as you remain clear of the protest sites foreigners will be and have been mostly unaffected. Except of course during the airport shut down of 2007 which considering the economical impact on the country I think would be unlikely to reoccur.

Yes it is a complex issue and mainly one sided from where I am standing.

The majority elect a government and the rich minority then try to wrestle power back as they don't believe the majority are capable of deciding who should govern. If the Thais were serious about democracy this wouldn't hapoen but I feel some people can't let go of the thrill of power.

And yes I am going in <2 weeks time as I have a very important engagement to attend.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Yes it is a complex issue and mainly one sided from where I am standing.

The majority elect a government and the rich minority then try to wrestle power back as they don't believe the majority are capable of deciding who should govern. If the Thais were serious about democracy this wouldn't hapoen but I feel some people can't let go of the thrill of power.

And yes I am going in <2 weeks time as I have a very important engagement to attend.

It's not only a rich minority. It's almost the entire south of the country. The red's also could not accept a democrat led government (technically not majority elected but legally in power) in 2010 which then caused the problems and subsequent violence including the reds firing rockets into BTS stations and the army having to move in to clear the city.

It is absolutely not a one sided issue.

 

[Twisterella]

......except that the Yellow Shirts don't like the Crown Prince (i.e. the next King) either !!!

John, I know plenty of red shirts (predominantly from Isaan) who don't like the Crown Prince either!!!!

 

[amaroo]

It's not only a rich minority. It's almost the entire south of the country. The red's also could not accept a democrat led government (technically not majority elected but legally in power) in 2010 which then caused the problems and subsequent violence including the reds firing rockets into BTS stations and the army having to move in to clear the city.

It is absolutely not a one sided issue.

After a 1,000 odd years Australia (colonial history) could very well find itself in the same predicament.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Ah still so much too learn

 

[eosphoros]

I am organising a possible trip to a resort in Hua Hin for the end of June. I will be going straight there from B Suvarnabhumi and straight back to the airport after checking out. Should I be concerned/alter my travel plans?

 

[joyvee]

I am going south of Hua Hin for a week in second week June. Can highly recommend the airport bus to Hua Hin. Very comfortable and direct. Timetable on web as is costing. Any trouble is much more likely to erupt in BKK than in Hua Hin. Well that is my view, subject to an exception arising.
Mind you I think things may stay calm for a bit but if the King were to leave us...goodness only knows what will happen. JoyV

 

[joyvee]

This may prove useful to those anticipating visiting or currently visiting Thailand.

Richard Barrow on Twitter is a good source for up to date information on all things in BKK

https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow JoyV

 

[markis10]

Qantas have published a policy for the situation:

Thailand Political Situation

21 May 2014

The following options are available to Qantas customers holding a valid ticket issued on/before 20 May 2014 who are affected by the political instability in Thailand for travel on/before 23 May 2014. For customers holding a Qantas (081) issued ticket: Passengers may, without fee: Reroute/Rebook for travel on/before 03 June 2014 Reroute/Rebook travel to alternate Qantas service with ‘QF’ flight number operated by Qantas in the same booking class as originally ticketed, subject to availability. If the same booking class is not available, option to rebook/reissue to a higher booking class is permitted with the fare difference payable by the passenger. Change Destinations for travel on/before 03 June 2014 Conditions All changes must be made prior to the original ticketed departure. New travel dates must be within ticket validity. Qantas will not be responsible for paying any other costs or expenses such as hotel or other ground operator fees arising due to events beyond our control, unless required by applicable laws. All other rules and conditions of the ticket remain unchanged. Customers are permitted to make changes as outlined in this policy. Any subsequent changes made after the ticket is reissued will be subject to the rules and conditions of the original ticketed fare purchased.

 

[leadman]

Just walked from the JW Marriott to my office in Chidlom/BKK. Not a problem or soldier or protester in site. Came from the airport yesterday and same thing. The tension is certainly not "in the air" compared to a few weeks ago. Only problem is the heat, business shirt absolutely soaked!!!!

 

[amaroo]

Officially a coup Thailand army chief announces coup

[h=1]Thailand army chief announces coup[/h]

 

[JohnK]

So it wasn't coup 3 days ago but it is now!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Hard to know if its a good thing or not. I will be in the city on monday as scheduled still. The thais have become accustomed to coups now so will probably go about there business as normal

 

[leadman]

According to my staff its a good thing! They have really been stuggling with the uncertainly of the situation. One thing that has not been widely reported in the western media is that the Army called all the factions together and told them to start talking. They have ben promising to do so for so long and nothing has happened.

In the past 48 hours i have not seen a soldier or military vehicle on the road. All the road blocks are gone. There is no tension in the air like the past few months.