How likely in Phuket to be disrupted by the political unrest?
Apr 24, 2010, 10:57 am
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 256
How likely in Phuket to be disrupted by the political unrest?
At the moment I am aware that all these chaotic actions are taking place in Bangkok and people have informed me that the daily routines of lives in most other places throughout the country remain normal. Countries have issued alerts/warnings specifically for Bangkok but not Thailand as a whole.
However with tensions continuing to pick up steam and both sides seem firm in not backing down according to various media, I can't help but wonder what will this do to other places, specifically resort regions in the South. I am holding a booking to Phuket in August and am flying directly there with Silk Air via SIN. I am only visiting Phuket as far as the Thai trip porition is concerned and none of my air itineraries involve a transit in BKK.
When the yellow shirts staged their displeasure in 08, I believe HKT was also seized and flight operations grinded to a halt like those in BKK & DMK. Does anyone believe the current turmoil will spill over to Phuket this time around or do you believe as long as you stay away from Bangkok you'll be fine?
I'm not sure but I did read somewhere that the Reds are not liked in Phuket and are the minority of the population there and thus have no intentions to stir things there. But I'm not sure if the source I received is a credible one. August is still couple of months away and I really do not want to cancel this trip unnecessarily.
However with tensions continuing to pick up steam and both sides seem firm in not backing down according to various media, I can't help but wonder what will this do to other places, specifically resort regions in the South. I am holding a booking to Phuket in August and am flying directly there with Silk Air via SIN. I am only visiting Phuket as far as the Thai trip porition is concerned and none of my air itineraries involve a transit in BKK.
When the yellow shirts staged their displeasure in 08, I believe HKT was also seized and flight operations grinded to a halt like those in BKK & DMK. Does anyone believe the current turmoil will spill over to Phuket this time around or do you believe as long as you stay away from Bangkok you'll be fine?
I'm not sure but I did read somewhere that the Reds are not liked in Phuket and are the minority of the population there and thus have no intentions to stir things there. But I'm not sure if the source I received is a credible one. August is still couple of months away and I really do not want to cancel this trip unnecessarily.
Apr 24, 2010, 3:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Thailand, Phuket
Programs: Emirates, Thai, TK
Posts: 441
There is no any reason for any disruption in Phuket for the following few reasons.
First of all the unrest is only in Bangkok and even there it is concentrated in a few streets.
Outside that area there is no serious unrest what so ever.
Second: There is in Phuket no "red" movement at all and almost all the local people from Phuket don't support the current unrest or "red" ideas.
As long you stay away from the affected area in Bangkok there is no reason for concern.
I'm living for about 21 years in Phuket and even in 2008 Phuket did not have serious problems besides the airport seize in the last few days of the political unrest.
First of all the unrest is only in Bangkok and even there it is concentrated in a few streets.
Outside that area there is no serious unrest what so ever.
Second: There is in Phuket no "red" movement at all and almost all the local people from Phuket don't support the current unrest or "red" ideas.
As long you stay away from the affected area in Bangkok there is no reason for concern.
I'm living for about 21 years in Phuket and even in 2008 Phuket did not have serious problems besides the airport seize in the last few days of the political unrest.
Apr 25, 2010, 8:45 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 3,510
About 300 miles north of Bangkok, hundreds of "Red Shirts" formed a roadblock in northeastern Udon Thani province and stopped a convoy of 150 police from heading to Bangkok to strengthen security operations, a local official told Reuters.
The police retreated but the Red Shirts continued to block the road, the official said, raising questions over whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can exert full control over rebellious parts of Thailand as the deadly protests enter a seventh week.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36763518...s-asiapacific/
Although, OP, August is a few months away, so probably best to just monitor the situation
Apr 26, 2010, 10:31 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
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Posts: 1,714
"We are ready to handle the government measures. No matter what shirt we wear, our hearts are red," said Jatuporn Prompan, warning that an offensive would trigger nationwide conflict.
"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.
"When the first blood is spilled here, the entire country will be the scene of bloodshed," he said.
May 2, 2010, 7:01 pm
#5
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
It's life as normal in most of Thailand.
I am currently in Phuket, and it's busier than I thought it would be, but still slower than normal. I noticed nothing at the airport or on the drive down. In Patong, unfortunately it's Same Same as always.
One thing's for sure, the hotel rates have dropped considerably.
Don't miss the updates in the thread below too
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thail...-warnings.html
I am currently in Phuket, and it's busier than I thought it would be, but still slower than normal. I noticed nothing at the airport or on the drive down. In Patong, unfortunately it's Same Same as always.
One thing's for sure, the hotel rates have dropped considerably.
Don't miss the updates in the thread below too
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thail...-warnings.html
May 2, 2010, 7:01 pm
#6
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
It's life as normal in most of Thailand.
I am currently in Phuket, and it's busier than I thought it would be, but still slower than normal. I noticed nothing at the airport or on the drive down. In Patong, unfortunately it's Same Same as always.
One thing's for sure, the hotel rates have dropped considerably.
Don't miss the updates in the thread below:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thail...-warnings.html
I am currently in Phuket, and it's busier than I thought it would be, but still slower than normal. I noticed nothing at the airport or on the drive down. In Patong, unfortunately it's Same Same as always.
One thing's for sure, the hotel rates have dropped considerably.
Don't miss the updates in the thread below:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thail...-warnings.html
May 24, 2010, 11:46 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 101
Update?
All: Just curious if Phuket and Khao Lak are perceived as safe... The news continues to report, and I'm scheduled to be there in a week on holiday, and am wondering if I should be considering an alternative destination...
Thanks!
Pal
Thanks!
Pal
May 26, 2010, 10:58 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: In between DCA and IAD
Programs: AA, LAN, Delta, United
Posts: 108
We were in Khao Lak two weeks ago (flew into HKT). Besides being a ghost town due to low season, it's business as usual...