Can anyone tell me how the political situation in Bangkok is these days? I googled the info and saw several advisories saying it's "volatile". We're traveling with a 4yr old and a 70yr old and would not want to have that kind of adventure for them. Thanks.
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Well a few weeks ago it was as it has been for a while, very friendly to tourists.
In the past also... I was there when the airport was shut down (stuck there as a guest of the kingdom), I was there in Phuket when Phuket was shut down, and I was there when the kings sister passed away and a lot of places closed down.
I get there for two week trips about four or five or more times a year. And even during turmoil it was an enjoyable time for me always.
IF and WHEN there is political unrest it is widely reported and you know where NOT to go. I have no problem with taking people to Thailand now.
Now... the economy is poor all over the world so I have seen more incidents of random crime (pick pockets and such) against tourists then in the past but to me, Thailand is very hospitable, friendly, inviting, and safe for travelling to. To me even during the airport take over it was safer then any major US city.
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IF and WHEN there is political unrest it is widely reported and you know where NOT to go. I have no problem with taking people to Thailand now.
+1
If situation turns worse, you just avoid a place where you should not to go.
Other places are still okay as if nothing happens.
No problem to bring others with you.
I visit BKK often, and have plans to visit BKK again in Dec and Jan.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sakura
+1
If situation turns worse, you just avoid a place where you should not to go.
Other places are still okay as if nothing happens.
No problem to bring others with you.
I visit BKK often, and have plans to visit BKK again in Dec and Jan.
Oh I'll be back Nov and Jan and March (already tickets purchased) Even if I see the idiotic press / internet show only protests. That's all the show anyways. When the airport protests and the govt. house were being "used" I was going about my daily life.
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I spent 10 days in Bangkok in September. There were apparently some demonstrations in Bangkok and up in the northeast. If I hadn't turned on a TV or looked at a newspaper I'd not have known.
My wife and I landed July 29th and departed Sept 29. It was the really her first time in Bkk either though we spent 2 days in pattaya 30 yrs ago and another 48 hrs in Bkk in 1988. I worked, she shopped and went hopping around town for almost 10 wks and we never had any problems.
We also took some side trips outside of Bkk, upcountry and even quieter. And the airport was relatively dead as I made about half a dozen trips outside of the country.
The Thai's know they can't have a recurrence of the airport debacle of last year -- one only has to look at hotel occupany rates, for sale signs in all the stores, etc. to realize they shot themselves in the foot. It won't happen again, IMHO.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dtsm
The Thai's know they can't have a recurrence of the airport debacle of last year -- one only has to look at hotel occupany rates, for sale signs in all the stores, etc. to realize they shot themselves in the foot. It won't happen again, IMHO.
I also hope that it won't happen again, but I would guess that the signs you're talking about are more due to the global economic crisis (when there's less disposable income, tourism goes down the tubes) than to the airport occuaption / political squabbles.
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When I was in Bangkok last month, the King was sick and in the hospital. Given his age, I'd certainly worry about how destabilized the country would become when that day comes that he is no longer there.
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When I was in Bangkok last month, the King was sick and in the hospital. Given his age, I'd certainly worry about how destabilized the country would become when that day comes that he is no longer there.
But would it prevent you from booking a holiday for the coming month? January? March?
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Originally Posted by yosithezet
But would it prevent you from booking a holiday for the coming month? January? March?
Nope, not really. I was there near the final days of Senor Billionaire, and it didn't bother me much. Although I've been to Thailand once or twice a year for the last 6 years, I can't say that I understand the Thai people enough to know how they would react to a new king.
If it was looking chaotic, I'd probably head to SIN or Indonesia.
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I think we tend to over intellectualize what will happen when the current King goes to Paradise. As foreigners (for the most part), we view this entire situation from an historical and political view.....see the son (Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn) as not well liked.....and come to the conclusion that there is going to be some sort of trouble in Thailand at that point.
Actually, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is "Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman".....meaning that the King wants him to be the next King.....this decision has already been made by someone the Thais consider a Buddha. Nothing at all is going to happen.....he is the next in line (by birth) to be the Chakri Dynasty King. Too much is at stake to play politics at that point.....it won't happen....don't worry about travel plans for this reason.
Thais take death very well and we should give them credit for this.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maskedavenger
I think we tend to over intellectualize what will happen when the current King goes to Paradise. As foreigners (for the most part), we view this entire situation from an historical and political view.....see the son (Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn) as not well liked.....and come to the conclusion that there is going to be some sort of trouble in Thailand at that point.
Actually, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is "Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman".....meaning that the King wants him to be the next King.....this decision has already been made by someone the Thais consider a Buddha. Nothing at all is going to happen.....he is the next in line (by birth) to be the Chakri Dynasty King. Too much is at stake to play politics at that point.....it won't happen....don't worry about travel plans for this reason.
Thais take death very well and we should give them credit for this.
You are joking right? You make it out as so simple. This will be far from simple.
Lese Majeste law makes it illegal to openly be critical of the Royal Family however you can read on many sources about the Crown Prince if you took a moment to look. I am sure the information would be breath taking to see who you state will be the next King of Thailand.
For peoples fears of have FT edited / banned in Thailand I graciously edited this post. It is safe to say that NO ONE will ever hold the power or command the respect of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Thailand is a country that is evolving, setting and finding their own way, there is NO WAY that Vajiralongkorn will rule like his father did simply because the King is such a great ruler that it would be hard to come close to equaling his accomplishments especially in today's modern times. I wish whoever takes over all the luck in the world.
What happened to Thailand? When Shinawatra was elected in 2001 and then re elected in 2005 he was very charming and had the working class and rural folks eating out of his hands, and of course there was vote buying. The urban elites and the army hated him. The decision to remove him had to come for the royal palace. Thanksin himself is still supporting unrest as a criminal on the run from overseas and still carries a lot of power.
With sadness I was going from MNL to BKK when Princess Vadhana passed and I had over two weeks of everything shut down (for my work). When King Adulyadej passes how much will close down and for how long? The mourning period is so long and give King Adulyadej credit, the longest living monarch who has done great things for Thailand. The only country never conquered by a foreign govt. When he does pass, the country is already in political and economic turmoil, if he passes shortly it can be a real mess and yes folks THINGS will close down, not everything but there will be a long period of mourning and there SHOULD be a period of mourning as the King is a very good leader of his people.
I doubt they will let anything happen to the foreign assets and the business nature in thaialnd will continue, IE it will not go as corrupt as Philippines is, but the overall political future of Thailand is up in the air.
The saving grace, during all the turmoil it has been Thai vs. Thai demonstrations and issues and the Thai people have been gracious, welcoming, and friendly to foreigners (call me khun guava ) during all of this. There was never a reason to cancel your holiday there, I still do not see any reason to cancel a holiday there, am going November, December, Jan, and March.
But to say the line of succession and that everything will be simple and sweet for Prince Vajiralongkorn is NOT the case. How could anyone expect to step into the shoes of King Adulyadej.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maskedavenger
Actually, Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn is "Somdech Phra Boroma Orasadhiraj Chao Fah Maha Vajiralongkorn Sayam Makutrajakuman".....meaning that the King wants him to be the next King.....this decision has already been made by someone the Thais consider a Buddha.
You are totally correct he was given title of heir apparent to the throne. 38 years ago when he was 20 years old. A lot can change in 38 years.
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I would urge caution on comments which clearly violate the laws of Thailand. The Thai government will actively block websites which host content that violates lese majeste laws and then those of us who live in Thailand will not be able to access FT. Post 12 is fine but posts 13 and 14 should be removed ASAP.
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Even if I see the idiotic press / internet show only protests. That's all the show anyways. When the airport protests and the govt. house were being "used" 
