Aug 17, 2015, 12:03 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
For those qualified to post in Omni and Omni/PR (180 days on FT and 180 posts), political conversations on this tragedy can occur in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni-pr/1703225-deadly-bombing-bangkok.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni-pr/1703225-deadly-bombing-bangkok.html
Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Explosion at Erawan Shrine in Central Bangkok
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
August 17, 2015
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/mobile//081715_emergency_message.html
This message is to inform U.S. citizens in Thailand that according to local law enforcement, an explosion took place at approximately 7:00 pm August 17, at the Rachaprasong intersection in the central commercial district of Bangkok (near the Erawan Shrine, Central World mall, and overhead bisection of the two Skytrain lines). Media outlets are reporting multiple casualties. Local law enforcement and emergency services are responding and U.S. Embassy personnel are liaising closely with local authorities to gather information. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
August 17, 2015
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/mobile//081715_emergency_message.html
This message is to inform U.S. citizens in Thailand that according to local law enforcement, an explosion took place at approximately 7:00 pm August 17, at the Rachaprasong intersection in the central commercial district of Bangkok (near the Erawan Shrine, Central World mall, and overhead bisection of the two Skytrain lines). Media outlets are reporting multiple casualties. Local law enforcement and emergency services are responding and U.S. Embassy personnel are liaising closely with local authorities to gather information. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.
Bangkok: Bomb blast near Erawan 17 Aug 2015 (merged threads)
Aug 18, 2015, 7:53 am
#78
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Jersey
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 1,154
some travel advisories:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...vel-advisories
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...vel-advisories
Twenty-three countries by Tuesday had issued travel advisories in the wake of Monday’s Erawan shrine bombing, with most advising caution rather than avoiding travel to Thailand.
The Foreign Ministry said 12 countries issued "Level 2" advisories, urging citizens to take extra care during trips to the kingdom: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States.
Nine nations, however, recommended a higher degree of caution, or Level 3, warnings. They are Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Only Hong Kong advised its people to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand, a Level 4 warning. The "red alert" was Hong Kong's second strongest tier of travel advisory in its three-tier system.
The Netherlands is the only country that instructed its people to be alert. That represented just a Level 1 advisory, meaning its citizens should be aware of the situation around them.
No countries prohibited their citizens from visiting Thailand.
The Foreign Ministry said 12 countries issued "Level 2" advisories, urging citizens to take extra care during trips to the kingdom: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States.
Nine nations, however, recommended a higher degree of caution, or Level 3, warnings. They are Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia and the United Kingdom.
Only Hong Kong advised its people to avoid non-essential travel to Thailand, a Level 4 warning. The "red alert" was Hong Kong's second strongest tier of travel advisory in its three-tier system.
The Netherlands is the only country that instructed its people to be alert. That represented just a Level 1 advisory, meaning its citizens should be aware of the situation around them.
No countries prohibited their citizens from visiting Thailand.
Aug 18, 2015, 8:46 am
#80
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: AA Gold . Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum.
Posts: 486
I am due there for a week next tuesday.
I am 95 % that we need to cancel.
I cant put my family at risk plus the point of an expensive vacation is yo relax , i think we would be on edge all of the time.
I sympathise with the local people who have always been so friendly to us but i cant think of any other solution to our trip.
Todays incident was the final straw for me.
I am 95 % that we need to cancel.
I cant put my family at risk plus the point of an expensive vacation is yo relax , i think we would be on edge all of the time.
I sympathise with the local people who have always been so friendly to us but i cant think of any other solution to our trip.
Todays incident was the final straw for me.
Aug 18, 2015, 8:59 am
#81
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Posts: 20
Aug 18, 2015, 9:11 am
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Aug 18, 2015, 11:19 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Philadelphia
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Our trip isn't until November, so we can wait to see how things shake out. I don't envy people who have to make the decision this week.
Aug 18, 2015, 1:04 pm
#85
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Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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That's a bit of a stretch. Would you travel to a war zone? Bad things can happen anywhere, but they happen more often in some places at some times. That's when to avoid them.
Our trip isn't until November, so we can wait to see how things shake out. I don't envy people who have to make the decision this week.
Our trip isn't until November, so we can wait to see how things shake out. I don't envy people who have to make the decision this week.
Aug 18, 2015, 1:20 pm
#86
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
I was in Bkk 3 times prior to the last coup. during the height of the occupy bkk demonstrations. My wife joined me for 2 of the trips and we were on the BTS crossing btw Central and Chidlom stops just as the grenade was launched at Big C down the street.
This last bombing at the Erawan shrine is a pure act of terrorism, sick cowards with no other objective than targeting innocent tourists and locals. Tourism is bound to take a hit.
Aug 18, 2015, 2:15 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
That is not a totally equal comparison. The Bangkok event occurred in the middle of the tourist area, the main part of the city, a good section. When you speak of crime in such places as Philadelphia that really is not the same since most of the crime happens mainly in certain areas where tourists would not be gathered and not the center of the good part of the city. Crime happens anywhere but I do not feel you have given a fair comparison.
Aug 18, 2015, 2:36 pm
#89
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: AA Gold . Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum.
Posts: 486
I just cancelled my vacation for next week. I was due to leave on tuesday . I just didnt feel comfortable with the risks associated at this time.
I love Bangkok and have been many times but sadly i felt i had no other option but to cancel.
Aug 18, 2015, 2:43 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 20