Avian-Flu epidemic in Asia?
Jan 29, 2004, 11:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Germany
Posts: 3
Avian-Flu epidemic in Asia?
I was wondering how you guys view the health situation in Bangkok in particular and SE Asia overall. There has been plenty of unpleasant news recently, with the WHO now suspecting that the Avian Flu virus might combine with the Fujian-influenza virus and by this lead to a worldwide epidemy (worst case scenario). I am not a really fearful person, but start asking myself whether it may be advisable to relocate a meeting from Bangkok to Singapore. I am not a Bangkok expert. Just want to be inspired by your views... Thanxx in advance...
Jan 29, 2004, 2:17 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
I prefer Singapore in any case. It is an extremely clean & tidy city with many fine hotels. I'm concerned, but to this point have not changed plans for my own vacation in May. I do have travel insurance. Wonder if it covers 'bird' flu?
Jan 29, 2004, 3:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York & London
Posts: 290
I am going to BKK on Tuesday and am not all that concerned. Certainly not in Bangkok anyway. I will also be in some small villages in Central Thailand, but will refrain from having any close encounters with fowl just in case.
[This message has been edited by liquid (edited Jan 29, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by liquid (edited Jan 29, 2004).]
Jan 29, 2004, 3:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA MM, Hilton-Dia
Posts: 1,480
You never know with the avian flu. The danger is not with fowl-play (sorry) but if it suddenly mutates and starts spreading human-to-human. Granted, much of the fear is probably overblown but if you are concerned about it, it will only heighten your discomfort.
If you have flexibility of moving the meet location, I would just go ahead and move it to SIN. I find that work is more productive in SIN than in BKK - meeting planners are more efficient, languange is a non-issue, and transportation (both to/from airport as well as hotel/meeting) is excellent.
BKK is a really nice holiday place but SIN trumps over it any day as far as a conducive place to get something done. BKK is just that much harder to get things done from the moment you touch down and go through immigration to the moment you leave. Although much maligned, entertainment choices in SIN aren't as bad as people make it out to be.
If you have flexibility of moving the meet location, I would just go ahead and move it to SIN. I find that work is more productive in SIN than in BKK - meeting planners are more efficient, languange is a non-issue, and transportation (both to/from airport as well as hotel/meeting) is excellent.
BKK is a really nice holiday place but SIN trumps over it any day as far as a conducive place to get something done. BKK is just that much harder to get things done from the moment you touch down and go through immigration to the moment you leave. Although much maligned, entertainment choices in SIN aren't as bad as people make it out to be.