Originally Posted by
KosraeTV
I disagree that Thai should be avoided. You want to avoid an entire country and culture because of violence in one city?? Um... OK.
So avoid America and every country in the world if there is violence in one city. When there were riots in France did we want to ban travel to France? When someone goes on a shooting spree in LA we ban travel to Ohio?
Right now Thailand is growing and the violence is mostly thai vs thai. So why does that need to halt tourism? There is less crime in BKK that is exposed to ME and mine then in most countries including the country where is our residency.
The King IMHO... is deliberately quiet about things and hopefully the military will control violence escalations in the political arena but not interfere. Thailand needs to evolve and grow and go through their own growing pains to find it's future. Unless you think the Crown Prince will be able to handle the country like the King has. If you think that then the military can squash everything and let the Crown Prince take over in the future and let him run the country.
Thailand does have some competent leaders that CAN lead the country IMHO. But they need to come forward and the political situation needs to grow and evolve. Which IMHO is what the King is allowing to happen while keeping an eye on it.
The Klongtoey area was under protest for a while. Now as a visitor do you want to sit in the middle of a protest or potential threatening area? When I was in LA during some marches towards Staples Center and such we avoided that area.. same thing we do when I am in BKK, we avoid areas where they are having demonstrations. Luckily for the most part most demonstrations are publicly advertised and you know where to avoid (with any common sense).
I don't see how any other country in SEA is any less dangerous or safer then BKK or Thai is right now. There is a greater chance of danger to Foreigners in many other SEA countries due to them actually targeting foreigners, which they are not doing in Thailand. If anything they are going out of their way to AVOID any conflicts with tourists and foreigners. '
I respect your POV but in reality there is very little increased danger, if anything the higher security on BTS and MRT's and other areas are only making it more secure. That's my POV. And I'll be there in a few days without a worry in the world. I definitely will be worrying in MNL and when I am in Bali.
Maybe some of you own a business here.....or maybe have some self interest at heart (i.e. an income stream depending on tourism, etc.)?
The fact is that if you are walking with your family on the street and one of these incidents occurs, a loved one might be injured....or killed.
Can this happen in other places?.......maybe.......but we are talking of Thailand....not an American or European city....if you want to post danger signs for cities in the US or Europe please go to the appropriate area. I would not expose my family to this type of political situation and street scene anywhere....US and Europe included.
Bangkok is the center of Thailand activity and tourism. Most people coming to Thailand spend time in Bangkok.....especially first time tourists. The comments that this is a Bangkok problem and not a general Thailand one is fictitious.
If you read Thai newspapers on a daily basis, you will see that the crime situation in Thailand, separate from the political situation is still a bad course of events. Also, because the governmental authorities take little responsibility for anything......many times, crimes against persons go unanswered.
When you put the blah, blah, blah in about this peaceful little country.....make sure you footnote the amount of farangs killed here, by Thai's in robbery activity and other criminal acts against tourists, which the Thai's are very quick to throw under the carpet. Tell your "peace" story to the family of a 21 year old kid who was knocked to the ground and his femoral artery severed after he was down....by a Thai with the jagged edge of a beer bottle....or the kid who was shot and killed by a Thai on a motorcycle to get his gold chain. There is a level of violence here equal to that of any American inner city......and yes...I wouldn't visit an American inner city either ....especially to go clubbing and hanging out....a recipe for disaster.
A lot of people see Thailand as this oasis in SEA.......very different from their own country....a country with a peaceful religion and a quiet reserved people. This is simply not true. Thais are the same as anyone else......don't take chances when in Thailand.........you wouldn't take these chances in your own country. Don't be fooled by the rhetoric here and elsewhere.
Thailand is going through some serious political times......and there is always that criminal element......throwing a bomb into a crowd......sounds just like the Santa Monica Pier......doesn't it?
(this Behuman guy ruined his post by his final comments......but the thrust of his original comments stand true....Thailand can be a very dangerous place.......just like the rest of the world.......if you visit keep your guard up!!....UM.....OK!)
PS....your reverence and respect for the King is very interesting.......the King is probably the richest man in the world (not so in Forbes because his funds are looked at as "royal family funds")......yet his people live in poverty and ignorance. He is probably a nice guy....but he needs to spread the wealth.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1224...googlenews_wsj