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[earthpig]

millwall_fan, on 2010-04-28 11:52:59, said:

It needs to be pointed out that only parts of Bangkok are unsafe, the rest of the country is fine. Chiang Mai is fine, the islands are fine, Pattaya is fine, just change planes at Suvanarbhumi and head up here to the mountains!

In my opinion this assessment is too rosy, particularly for tourists who have little knowledge of thailand. This is no longer a mere protest, it is a revolt, and while it hasnt extended to the point of armed rebellion or insurrection, that could break out at any time. To encourage people who could easily and for good reason panic in those circumstances to come here is, in my opinion, simply wrong.

Do you think all these foreign ministries are advising against travel to Thailand now because its low season?

[Togo]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 11:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

The LadyBoys are waiting for you

[samuibeachcomber]

Artamus, on 2010-04-28 10:27:22, said:

The average number of arrivals is now about 20,000 a day, down from 30,000 prior to the start of protests at the Pan Fah Bridge on March 14, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday.

This is a misleading figure as well - as it is not comparing like with like. One would expect a natural tail off of arrivals as the low season moves in. It would be better to compare daily arrivals this month with daily arrivals this month last year (or an average for this month each year). I would have expected numbers to decline from March to April even with no red-shirts welcoming people to Thailand via the daily news.

add to that the 6 day no flying ban in europe and UK due to iceland volcano,and it paints a bleak picture.there again if i was an isaan farmer scraping together 200 baht a day to survive,lack of tourists would n't be high on my list of things to worry about.

[rbrick49]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 13:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

dont go near the redshirt hangout you should be ok

[mintyfresh]

rbrick49, on 2010-04-28 11:05:06, said:

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 13:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

dont go near the redshirt hangout you should be ok

Problem is the red shirts are claiming to be going underground and guerrilla, so really nowhere will be safe.  I predict the slowest tourist season ever this year.  A real pity that the reds have decided to destroy so many Thai people's livelihoods through their terrorist approach to political change.

[hungryINbangkok]

davidwright, on 2010-04-28 11:03:53, said:

If anyone thinks that regular tourists are coming because there is no danger here then think again..what i mean is ok there are dangers here but if you have been here before then you know where to go and not to go but that is not the case now and even hardened tourists who have been many times to the LOS are not coming....Grenades thrown at banks into crowds anything can happen anywhere.......Not just Bangkok. My son has been over here about 8 times and twice in the last 18 months with his girlfriend.They were coming in July this year but now because of the RED problems here they will  not now come...They just think at this time its just not worth the risk....I for one understand and I do not believe tourism is only down one third more like 80%...But thats just me seeing who's walking the streets in the north.Its just us locals...Would'nt be so bad but the pound is still weak against the pound.....
Just a little off subject the housing estate I'am on is putting the rents up by 1000 baht a month for tenants when they renew leases...You think not a lot well in real terms I'am paying 25% to 30% more because of the exchange rate...Well my neighbour has moved out and the house has now been empty for 3 months so even if they got some one in now it would take 18 months to regain their looses...Thai logic yes! Other houses are empty and there are no new perspective tenants at the moment but they have put them up as well! Som Nam Na yes!

if my math is correct...that means you pay 3-4000 baht a month for rent?????? the loss you would incur due to a poor exchange rate on 1000 baht would be what?....30baht??? eegad you must be on a tight budget.

[mintyfresh]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 13:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

  
One night in Bangkok make a hard man humble!
  Not much between despair and ecstasy.
  One night in Bangkok, and the tough guys tumble!
  Can't be too careful with your company.
  I can feel the devil walkin' next to me.
  

[xtof2]

phuketrichard, on 2010-04-28 10:48:19, said:

sarahsbloke, on 2010-04-28 10:23:29, said:

Hardly surprising seeing UK foreign office say 'emergency travel only'
Travel agents no longer allowed to sell holidays to Thailand, have to offer refunds on existing bookings.Travel insurance for Thailand cancelled by the insurance companies if you do insist on coming.

Who in their right mind would come now?

Where did u hear of this? I dont belive it, Not allowed to sell Tours? Who has made it illegal?

Because of insurance. And TO don't sell packages anymore because if it turns out badly, they don't want to face lawsuits.

[mommysboy]

samuibeachcomber, on 2010-04-28 11:04:38, said:

Artamus, on 2010-04-28 10:27:22, said:

The average number of arrivals is now about 20,000 a day, down from 30,000 prior to the start of protests at the Pan Fah Bridge on March 14, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa said yesterday.

This is a misleading figure as well - as it is not comparing like with like. One would expect a natural tail off of arrivals as the low season moves in. It would be better to compare daily arrivals this month with daily arrivals this month last year (or an average for this month each year). I would have expected numbers to decline from March to April even with no red-shirts welcoming people to Thailand via the daily news.

add to that the 6 day no flying ban in europe and UK due to iceland volcano,and it paints a bleak picture.there again if i was an isaan farmer scraping together 200 baht a day to survive,lack of tourists would n't be high on my list of things to worry about.

However, I imagine living in a dustbowl, unable to breath because of the acrid air, in a failed state and with dwindling chance of your daughter securing a wealthy suitor might be a bit stressful.

But hey! no worries guys, keep on posting and you denialists will be convinced nothing is happening at all!

[bkkjohnny69]

Togo, on 2010-04-28 11:04:38, said:

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 11:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

The LadyBoys are waiting for you

should be safe, as long as you both wear condoms and lock your valuables away...

Edited by bkkjohnny69, 2010-04-28 11:18:06.

[KunMatt]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 10:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

Pattaya has zero redshirt trouble/tension/whatever right now, it's all just business as usual here. I need to get to BKK airport in the next few days from Pattaya and the only thing I'm worried about is any of these checkpoints that the news keeps reporting, I'm not sure how widespread they are or if they are stopping people to and from Pattaya. Hard to guage from the news how big this is or if it's a few isolated incidents that looks worse than it really is.

I've avoided Bangkok completely for the last 3 weeks just to be safe so I don't know how busy or dangerous it could be now, I'm sure as long as you stayed away from Silom and the protest areas you would be perfectly alright but if I was you I would head straight to Pattaya from the airport.

[Chewbacka]

thaibkk, on 2010-04-28 10:14:41, said:

really ? what a surprise ...

I guess some more businesses that depends on tourism will be RIP soon(er than a bit later)


what will be the incentive to come here with your family and possibly get killed by accident ?

come here and see the red ...???


and phuket maffia scammers must be rubbing their hands now... more people to scam with taxi, ...


following thai logic :  prices in hotels and restaurants will increase (for farang only...)

I can already hear them think (kinda tick, tock) :  farang, you pay more, for security

What a complete load of rubbish.

[sandgroper2]

RoninTech, on 2010-04-28 10:28:31, said:

sarahsbloke, on 2010-04-27 20:23:29, said:

Who in their right mind would come now?

I'd have no problem flying to KL, then Langkawi and on to paradise...

''Langkawi" paradise!!!!! You have obviously never been there before.

[KKvampire]

Dont believe the TAT 20,000 figure. Even if it is  correct it will include all types of visa entry not just tourists. Thai fakery again

[kratiam]

Chewbacka, on 2010-04-28 12:20:16, said:

thaibkk, on 2010-04-28 10:14:41, said:

really ? what a surprise ...

I guess some more businesses that depends on tourism will be RIP soon(er than a bit later)


what will be the incentive to come here with your family and possibly get killed by accident ?

come here and see the red ...???


and phuket maffia scammers must be rubbing their hands now... more people to scam with taxi, ...


following thai logic :  prices in hotels and restaurants will increase (for farang only...)

I can already hear them think (kinda tick, tock) :  farang, you pay more, for security

What a complete load of rubbish.

I agree....what planet is the original poster on!

[sarahsbloke]

There are some very stupid people posting on this thread, threat of danger is not the real problem.

How many tourists do you know will go on a holiday without travel insurance?
I certainly wouldn't and only know one person who would.

Edited by sarahsbloke, 2010-04-28 11:28:27.

[vitalia]

The Tourism and Sports Ministry is seeking Bt1.6 billion to stimulate tourism in both domestic and international markets, with plans for joint promotional packages in cooperation with foreign airlines and travel agencies.

The spawn of Banharn is clever in seeking 1.6 billion at this time. Like a good little politician, I am sure he will profit from the situation and ensure that the money goes to the right hands/pockets.

What a joke !

[hardy1943]

snaggletooth, on 2010-04-28 10:22:35, said:

Tourism authority wants Bt1.6 BILLION. They can spend all they want but they can't pull the wool over people's eyes any longer. These demonstrations will echo for years to come for the tourism industry. TAT may be able to sweep all the tourist scams and increasing criminal targeting of foreigners, but when you have zealots taking part of a city hostage, bloodshed and now frisking by red shirts of passers by, the only people who come will be bypassing the Big Mango and heading straight to the beaches or to the Rose of the North.

Edited by hardy1943, 2010-04-28 11:34:47.

[hardy1943]

snaggletooth, on 2010-04-28 10:22:35, said:

Tourism authority wants Bt1.6 BILLION. They can spend all they want but they can't pull the wool over people's eyes any longer. These demonstrations will echo for years to come for the tourism industry. TAT may be able to sweep all the tourist scams and increasing criminal targeting of foreigners, but when you have zealots taking part of a city hostage, bloodshed and now frisking by red shirts of passers by, the only people who come will be bypassing the Big Mango and heading straight to the beaches or to the Rose of the North.

First of all they have to train the immigration to smile teach them how to say "Welcome to the Kingdom of Thailand"
Instead of their attitude do not bother me? Has any one here on this forum ever been welcome that way?
I was welcome that way to my latest  trip to China and Vietnam! Communist countries can welcome me that way.
What happen to the Land  of Smiles?

Edited by hardy1943, 2010-04-28 11:32:12.

[kinmaew]

thaibkk, on 2010-04-28 13:14:41, said:

really ? what a surprise ...

I guess some more businesses that depends on tourism will be RIP soon(er than a bit later)


what will be the incentive to come here with your family and possibly get killed by accident ?

come here and see the red ...???


and phuket maffia scammers must be rubbing their hands now... more people to scam with taxi, ...


following thai logic :  prices in hotels and restaurants will increase (for farang only...)

I can already hear them think (kinda tick, tock) :  farang, you pay more, for security

[roadking96cube]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 10:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

i spent songkran in Bangkok didnt see a red shirt dont let it worry you if you dont go looking for them you should be ok and seeing all the protests in Bangkok Pattaya should be safe.A good friend of mine had 2 weeks Pattaya from the 8th of this month no problems.Im in Boracay Phillipines at the moment fly back to Bangkok the 7th the only thing will stop me is a civil war on the streets

[samuibeachcomber]

mintyfresh, on 2010-04-28 11:13:47, said:

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 13:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

  
One night in Bangkok make a hard man humble!
Not much between despair and ecstasy.
One night in Bangkok, and the tough guys tumble!
Can't be too careful with your company.
I can feel the devil walkin' next to me.
  

and thats just at the airport waiting to leave! just get on that plane and enjoy the ride.wild horses would n't keep me away.

[stevehaigh]

coutsa, on 2010-04-28 10:33:53, said:

I am in Australia, and I am due to fly out tomorrow, 1 night in Bangkok and 9 nights in Pattaya, havent cancelled yet, but am considering it. Any thoughts??

Pattaya should be safe enough, shouldnt it?

'safe' and 'Pattaya' in the same sentence is an oxymoron at any time isn't it!

[kinmaew]

This farang will be taking his business elsewhere. To Malaysia and Philippines for a change this year and my USD 10k spending money. Not much but bottom line Thailand doesnt get it. Clean up your act Thailand, no one wants to go on hols and get killed or suffer inconvenience because of these stupid Red shirts wasting everyones time.
I firmly believe this whole thing has nothing to do with politics, thats a good excuse though.

[SICA]

sandgroper2, on 2010-04-28 11:22:08, said:

RoninTech, on 2010-04-28 10:28:31, said:

sarahsbloke, on 2010-04-27 20:23:29, said:

Who in their right mind would come now?

I'd have no problem flying to KL, then Langkawi and on to paradise...

''Langkawi" paradise!!!!! You have obviously never been there before.

It says "then Langkawi and on to paradise..."

the biggest problem for people wanting to come to Thailand, especailly fom Europe, is the fact they will have no insurance from a foreign insurer once they arrive. This is pretty big. OK, so with every paid for tourist visa you receive up to US£10k insurance, but is that enough should you need to be ex-patriated? I think not. How do you receive this insurance? Any further info any of you have would be greatly received.

The British FCO stating you should not visit any part of Thailand unless an emergency is also huge. I am sure that a lot of Governments will soon follow suit. I have heard that the FCO in the UK are contacting people who are travelling to Thailand in the near future to find out more details about their trip and to asses if it is actually necessary! That is crazy, in my opinion.

I also have it on very good authority that various leading travel companies across Europe are suspending all booked trips to Thailand and are suspending the sale of any further trips to Thailand for the next six weeks.

this is going to have a huge impact on the figures quoted by the TAT. I wonder, when the figure of 20,000 was quoted does that include people arriving from within Thailand to swampy or international arrivals??

I work in the travel sector here in Thailand and this has affected me enormously.