Bangkok shutdown

[JohnK]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

When I spoke to DFAT (at BKK AP) they were surprised that my insurance company had agreed to provide coverage. Of all the people they spoke to I was the only person they heard about who had been given positive news. When I claimed I was paid everything within a fortnight.

Yes you were lucky. I haven't checked my policy. Hope it all blows over quickly.

WRT the actual incidents I always cringe when I see Farangs in Thailand attending demonstrations and commenting on things they do not know about.

Best to shut up and stay away.

Although I do remember a few years ago in Pattaya the Police had Second Road closed ~10:00pm, and a lot of other roads, waiting for some convoy. People were lined up and afraid to cross the road. Then someone started to cross and all followed. Scary.

Yes some things in Thailand do not make any sense which ever way you look at them.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

most insurance policies have an exclusion for claims directly or indirectly related to civil commotion, uprisings, war etc.

I'm not sure insurance should cover those things! if you place yourself in a position to be affected, why should coverage be provided?

anything else, not directly or indirectly related to the commotion/protests etc, should automatically be covered... including general medical, baggage etc. that's fair enough. the ANZ platinum policy covers all of that... but not if you put yourself next to a group of protesters or leave your journey to the airport too late and get stuck in protest traffic. and nor should it!

 

[JohnK]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

... but not if you put yourself next to a group of protesters or leave your journey to the airport too late and get stuck in protest traffic. and nor should it!

So if airport is shutdown by protesters that is tough luck?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

So if airport is shutdown by protesters that is tough luck?

if the airport is shut down, airlines will reschedule pax on later flights.

what else is there? hotel? if you need extra hotels as a direct cause by a known event such as a protest or commotion etc then it should be self insurance.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

if the airport is shut down, airlines will reschedule pax on later flights.

what else is there? hotel? if you need extra hotels as a direct cause by a known event such as a protest or commotion etc then it should be self insurance.

Hvr mentioned he was covered.

Personally I dont care. Hotel in Ladkrabang is ~AUD17/night and I could stay anywhere I want in Pattaya for ~AUD25-AUD50/night without hassle.

 

[Musongman]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

Yes, I am a regular traveller to BKK, and this month I went into the city and experienced no problems, nor have I in the past when there were disputes. Just avoid the the known areas of trouble, and you should be okay. There's plenty to see away from the few trouble spots, enjoy your stop-over.

 

[djd]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

I was there Last Saturday and Sunday for an uneventful transit. The taxi from the airport had to do a slight detour to get to the Mandarin Hotel on Silom IV. That was the only inconvenience I encountered. At night I wandered along Silom Road marvelling at the Thai idea of protest - wall to wall marketing of 'Shutdown' souvenirs with small group cheering the protest leader being relayed on video.

 

[markis10]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

At night I wandered along Silom Road marvelling at the Thai idea of protest - wall to wall marketing of 'Shutdown' souvenirs with small group cheering the protest leader being relayed on video.

I also marvelled at the souvenirs including shirts etc, makes you wonder the motivations of some , protest for profit!

 

[al57]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

The airport blockade was the work of the yellow shirts (same as the current protesters). They seem to have backed away from that sort of tactic. The protest organisers have made very reassuring sounds to tourists this time. When a fringe group threatened to disrupt Air Traffic Control, the leaders made it clear that that would not be allowed (and it fizzled out).

I was in BKK for the first three days of the current "shutdown", staying at a hotel just near the Asok protest site. The protesters either ignored me or smiled and I did not feel any threat. It was the same when I was there in 2010 during the red shirt protests and I was welcomed and given passage everywhere I went (at one point, a red shirt marshall cleared an intersection to allow my car through when he realised I was a tourist).

Having said that, there is no clear political way out of the current dilemma. As tempers become frayed and more people are killed or injured, violence could start to spread out from the participants to other bystanders. It has happened before: at least one Australian tourist was shot (not fatally) in 2010. Both of BKK's airports are well clear of the current hot spots, so travel in and out of Thailand is probably OK, but as the situation deteriorates, I would avoid Bangkok itself and stick to the regional centres.

 

[markis10]

Could be an interesting day in Bangkok:

Samantha Hawley ‏@samanthahawley 12m
Thai police waiting for order to go to protest site Bangkok pic.twitter.com/dxx08UWEjO









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[joyvee]

Remember Australian Utopian democracy has changed now that we rely on Indonesia for information as the army spokesman hasn't given his authorized briefing. Ying Luck was rewarding police for their loyalty. Police are not popular in BKK. Seems to be power play between them and army. Another element will be the many angry unpaid farmers.

 

[Hvr]

Reported on the BBC.

The army in Thailand has announced the imposition of martial law amid political crisis "to keep law and order".

The army has also granted itself wide-ranging powers to enforce its decision.

I hope this is resolved soon and safely.

 

[AviatorPJ]

Re: Bangkok Lock Down - Emergency declared for 60 days - travel advice?

Army declares martial law in Thailand
Thailand's Army Declares Martial Law - ABC News

 

[JohnK]

I hope this is resolved soon and safely.

The army says this is not a coup.

Armed forces should never side with one side if politics yet every opportunity the army gets to intervene in Thailand they do so.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

The army says this is not a coup.

Armed forces should never side with one side if politics yet every opportunity the army gets to intervene in Thailand they do so.

What do you suggest they do? Let everyone run riot as much as they want?

 

[amaroo]

I hope this is resolved soon .

Bugger all chance of that.

Rough outline since 1932...

11 coup/overthrow
8 Military administrations
37 PM/General/Puppet....10 or so in the last decade

 

[MEL_Traveller]

36 PM....10 of them in the last decade

they're doing slightly better than us then... didn't we have 4 PMs in 3 years?

 

[amaroo]

they're doing slightly better than us then... didn't we have 4 PMs in 3 years?

Danger, Will Robinson! Political thread imminent

 

[BoomTime]

Is there any member there in BKK now? Can someone please update on what it looks like on the ground for travelers?

 

[AviatorPJ]

This declaration causes you to relook at the wording of your travel insurance policy