Thailand forum

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1072445/1/.html
Following a recent bomb blast there have been warnings issued particularly for the downtown Bangkok Silom and Rajprasong vicinity which was the scene of most of last April/Mays protests. However since the crackdown on May 19/20 the protests have more or less disappeared and I'd say it's very unlikely we'll see anything like that again in the forseeable future. Also noteworthy that almost everywhere else in the country there was little effect, especially regarding tourists and tourist areas. I live in Chiang Mai and there was only one scary day (May19) with an outbreak of protest near the Kawila Army base, but it was pretty quickly dissolved. I would have very few safety concerns travelling the country now or in the months ahead but of course keep an eye on any developments. If The King, er um, "goes to heaven" for example, that could invoke serious unrest for the country. Let's wish him a long life!

So, when are the next elections? I may be in southeast asia for a while.

<b>Snip</b>

I had no idea there was a "recent" bomb blast. Somehow that didn't make the headlines in the Sydney Morning Herald, or I missed it. There's no way I'm leaving Bangkok off my list of destinations, so news of explosions makes me a little wary, but I guess I'll just keep an eye on the local papers/websites when I'm just about to venture there.

PEACE!!

Well Madmac, in the interests of international diplomacy, I respectfully withdraw my quip about the king.

If you and Captain Bob are right about the chances of civil unrest being low until elections in late 2011, that puts my mind at ease.

Cranky,
I've just snipped the pertinent bit in your post above -- due to the LM laws in Thailand, we prefer just to bar the topic all together.

Cheers

For the past while there haven't been any protests of interest whatsoever in regards to the political situation. The opposition Pheua Thai party and the Red shirt movement haven't said a thing about protesting, but as mentioned, perhaps there may be some activity after the results of the next election. That's a long way off, in the meantime things ought to stay very quiet indeed. Don't even think about it, just pack those bags of yours and go.

guess everything will be alright, will be in bangkok late Oct too..

"A state of emergency is still in force in about 10 of the Northern provinces - the govt is engaged in a clampdown of opposition parties and has closed several radio, TV and newspapers...it has also blocked 20,000 web sites.
They will tell tourists that travel is fine but then insist on military rule for much of the country.
It is not certain whether CRES the current ruling body on this matter will lift these restrictions or not by the time you arrive."

The "state of emergency" still in efect in the north has no practical meaning to tourists traveling here. I live in one of those provinces. We have no curfew, no unusual security practices... no Army presence whatsoever. So when "they" tell tourists that travel here is fine, "they" are correct.

Yes by all means if you actually live in Thailand don't attempt to assess the Thai political situation as you clearly can't see the forest for the trees. "ka-chik!" (opens beer).

"I doubt that it presents a real danger to tourists, but there has been no "reconciliation" that the govt keeps talking about and until and maybe even after there is a general election the situation in Thailand remains in crisis."

You are obviously using a different definition of "crisis" than I do. Somalia is in crisis. Darfur is in crisis. Thailand has some serious political tension, and some limited violence, but where this leads remains open.

I drink, but still workout and at 165 cm and 60 kg, I don't think anyone would describe me as overweight.

I find it interesting that someone who doesn't live in the "Northern Provinces" and hasn't been there since the last "crisis" knows more about what's going on here than someone who lives here and keeps his ear very close to the ground.

Of course, you always think you know more than anyone else about everything. It's your trademark.

"There should also be a warning of the presence of overweight aging farangs living in these areas with little or no knowledge of their immmediate environment - largely due, i guess, to the inordinate quantities of alcohol they consume to pass the i time in their vacuous lives."

Come now -- I'm not that overweight and I don't even live in Thailand at the moment -- though I confess to having a vacuous life at times ...

Let's keep it civil and avoid cheap shots please.

Thanks in advance.

I live in the northern most part of Thailand (Chiang Rai) for 3,5 years now and can tell you from experience... NOTHING scary here!! I have seen one time a few cars with some red shirt demonstrators just driving around, blocking the main road for half an hour... that's it for the entire time that the media was informing about the 'serious' situation in the North.

In Bangkok there are a few areas you might want to avoid (especially the district around the Royal Palace / KSR) but other than that, it is safe to travel. Listen to the locals, they will warn you when something is about to happen.

So to my opinion, just come and enjoy the Land of the Smiles.
You will love it.

Astrid.

Isn't it funny how they always portray us Madmac. I guarantee I do not drink as much as the local Thais in my village.
To add to the thread...come on, October will be starting the rice harvest. A time of celebration, not protest. I'm planning a trip for my older, fatter, drunken sister in January. I wouldn't do that if I did not think Thailand was safe.

Well I am sure Wilko will have a reason to determine that you don't know what you're talking about. Just as Neosho doesn't, and Cranky doesn't - basically only Wilko knows. In his self image, he is wise and experienced and anyone who disagrees with him on any subject is either stupid or naive or ignorant or some combination of all of those traits.

Let's keep it civil and avoid cheap shots please.

Somtam
I guarantee you, he won't.

John, I know you are an intelligent and fair-minded guy. I've defended far too many, including you, from wilko's cheap shots in the past. But in this particular case, it isn't wilko who has kept it going. Maybe it is time to let this one go, don't you think?