Uk And Australia.

[doppa]

pretty predictable in what they say, nevertheless how many people it will actually put off traveling must be considerable.

[femi fan]

Travel warnings only ever seem to come from one or all of three embassies - UK, Australia, or the US.

I wonder why...! What a bunch of wimps.

[Donnyboy]

its called CYA

cover yr ass

[sceadugenga]

Covers their weasel asses in case there's an "incident".

They can say they told us so.

[garyh]

If they don't give the warning someone will be jumping up and down then give there MP hel_l because the government failed to warn them. So they give the warning if you choose to ignore then thats your problem.

[IanForbes]

Oh, it's just a blood bath here. I can't recall all the number of people I saw shot down in the streets... maybe 200 or 300. But I think Bruce Willis or Jackie Chan will save us any time now.

[femi fan]

its called CYA

cover yr ass

But my question remains, why just these three (english speaking) countries? Why do they need to cover their ass, but others don't need to? What is it about these three bloody countries and their leaders? Being a cynic i just put it down to the overall fuss they consistently make over the next big terrorist act. They rule by fear, this helps keep the fear mode uppermost in its citizens' minds.

It's just too much of a coincidence that it's only ever english speaking countries that offer these ridiculous travel warnings. Everybody else is deemed to be able to think for themselves, but not this bunch of wimps.

[garyh]

its called CYA

cover yr ass

But my question remains, why just these three (english speaking) countries? Why do they need to cover their ass, but others don't need to? What is it about these three bloody countries and their leaders? Being a cynic i just put it down to the overall fuss they consistently make over the next big terrorist act. They rule by fear, this helps keep the fear mode uppermost in its citizens' minds.

It's just too much of a coincidence that it's only ever english speaking countries that offer these ridiculous travel warnings. Everybody else is deemed to be able to think for themselves, but not this bunch of wimps.

Maybe your home country government just doesn't care about you.

[Donnyboy]

its called CYA

cover yr ass

But my question remains, why just these three (english speaking) countries? Why do they need to cover their ass, but others don't need to? What is it about these three bloody countries and their leaders? Being a cynic i just put it down to the overall fuss they consistently make over the next big terrorist act. They rule by fear, this helps keep the fear mode uppermost in its citizens' minds.

It's just too much of a coincidence that it's only ever english speaking countries that offer these ridiculous travel warnings. Everybody else is deemed to be able to think for themselves, but not this bunch of wimps.

maybe they have some intel that something big is about to happen, after all they did have the smoking gun on Saddam

[ozzieovaseas]

I can see how this could influence the decisions of a certain type of traveller.

In my case im lucky to have no restrictions as far the timing of my trip back, so knowing whats on the cards definately gives you the option (or motivation) to stay in Australia a little longer.

Not that i consider theres any danger or risk involved, but if you hadnt yet decided on a specific date to travel, the news certainly doesnt inspire you get a flight for late Feb.

If we are to believe ToT's figures for arrivals at Swampy then surely the figures will be affected to some degree around that time?

And we also have this newly added confusion of the proof of funds for entry business.

But as always we will hear no announcements about the (self inflicted) loss of tourism, HOWEVERbut around March/April we will hear how tourist numbers have gone through the roof compared to Jan/Feb

[ChouDoufu]

how can you possibly fault the embassy for posting this?

this is not fear-mongering. there is no suggestion to avoid travel.

they warn there may be demonstrations which could turn violent.

you are advised to be aware of your surroundings.

Warden Message: Possible demonstrations before, on, or after February 26, 2010

(February 19, 2009) This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand that there are indications that political demonstrations may take place leading up to, on, or after the February 26 Supreme Court ruling on the case of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s financial assets. Over the next few weeks, U.S. citizens should pay close attention to public sources of information, including media reporting and the U.S. Embassy website, concerning events on the streets of Bangkok. U.S. citizens should avoid demonstrations and large-scale political activities.

We wish to remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the area of the demonstrations and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

[Chaimai]

Sensible words of caution.

I find it difficult to understand how anyone could be critical of such advice.

[Sparkles]

There have been several incidents ,in the past ,of foreigners getting amongst demonstators, with cameras, to record the moment. The governments are not scaremongering merely stating the obvious, why is that such a big problem ? Any protest can turn violent in a matter of seconds only takes one idiot to kick it off.

[Bill97]

Travel warnings only ever seem to come from one or all of three embassies - UK, Australia, or the US.

I wonder why...! What a bunch of wimps.

It is common knowledge that travel warnings are made by many other countries using their native languages, not English.

[Nignoy]

why is it there are never tourist and travel warnings issued for places like Wigan or Warrington! definitely the 2 most dangerous places on earth scary women, thai driving instructors train there,and the food favourite exotic dish The wigan Kebab which is a meat and potato pie in a bun!!worse taxi scams than swampy,and of course the 1800 hours curfew, one thinks of no go areas in Iraq ,afghanistan or Bradford , but not Wigan Pier!!6 weeks ago the whole 3 W area(wigan, widnes and warrington) was polled and asked to vote for or against the euro, 99.9% voted to stay with the Giro

[Maejo Man]

But my question remains, why just these three (english speaking) countries? Why do they need to cover their ass, but others don't need to? What is it about these three bloody countries and their leaders? Being a cynic i just put it down to the overall fuss they ...............................

You seemed to have answered your own question. Simply because English is the main language. Currently the same travel advisory appears on other government web sites. Why not check the Dutch government site? It's there, but in Dutch.

There are still a lot of countries that prefer their own language to convey information to their nationals

[mamborobert]

While everyone has said this is an over reaction from the embassy or called them wimps etc have a look where the initial warning for Australians (specifically) came from (as reported in by the ABC).

Tourism Council secretary Pornthip Hirunkape says Australians should consider avoiding Bangkok for the next two weeks.

"Tourists, especially from Australia, are coming direct from Australia into Phuket," he said.

"Australians are quite resilient and also many of them are repeat [travellers] so they know the conditions and they know the situation of Thai politics quite well.

"I think they would then avoid just the capital city."

[elektrified]

Sensible words of caution.

I find it difficult to understand how anyone could be critical of such advice.

Agreed. Furthermore other countries have indeed issued travel warnings; The Netherlands and Japan are two that I read about.

[millwall_fan]

The political situation in Thailand is tense and uncertain. British citizens should exercise great caution throughout Thailand and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings of people that might turn violent. It is likely that there will be mass protests by anti-government demonstrators in and around Bangkok. A court decision due on 26 February 2010 is a potential flashpoint. If, as quite possible, anti-government protests turn violent, British citizens should stay indoors and monitor the media and this website.

This seems like fairly measured advice to me. OK the word 'tense' may be a little exaggerated - the level of tension drops by 99% once you are away from Abhisits or Prem's residences, but other than that, what it says is: if you see a demo keep well away, especially around the time of court ruling on 26 Feb, which everyone suspects will confiscate Taksins asset. I suspect the fears of violence have been exaggerated, but not by the FCO.

[femi fan]

how can you possibly fault the embassy for posting this?

this is not fear-mongering. there is no suggestion to avoid travel.

they warn there may be demonstrations which could turn violent.

you are advised to be aware of your surroundings.

If you can't work this out with your own intelligence, you shouldn't even be allowed to travel.

The warnings they give, the yanks, the brits, the aussies, are ridiculous and expose a stupidity that only seems to exist in these three english-speaking countries. A political demonstration may turn violent, my oh my, cheers for telling me, i just had not considered that possibility.

At least the other 200 or so nations don't display such disregard for the intelligence of their travelling citizens.

[femi fan]

Travel warnings only ever seem to come from one or all of three embassies - UK, Australia, or the US.

I wonder why...! What a bunch of wimps.

It is common knowledge that travel warnings are made by many other countries using their native languages, not English.

Well, if you can show me that this indeed the case, that other countries have issued warnings, then i would have to leave the thread with tail between legs. I'd be interested to know if they have issued warnings.

[millwall_fan]

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-..._909/index.html

I'm not sure if this link will open but this is the French governments travel advice which using a Google tranlator comes out as

Domestic Sirtuation:

The Political situation in Thailand is likely to have some tension on the sidelines of a court decision to be made Friday February 26. It is recommended that French nationals or residents of passage to Bangkok to stay informed of the risks of events until February 28 and avoid poitical rallies, particularly in the vicinity of the Supreme Court (TH. Ratchadamnoen Nai) and of teh Prime Minister (Government House, Th Phitsanulok)

did you say 'tail between your legs?

[femi fan]

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-..._909/index.html

I'm not sure if this link will open but this is the French governments travel advice which using a Google tranlator comes out as

Domestic Sirtuation:

The Political situation in Thailand is likely to have some tension on the sidelines of a court decision to be made Friday February 26. It is recommended that French nationals or residents of passage to Bangkok to stay informed of the risks of events until February 28 and avoid poitical rallies, particularly in the vicinity of the Supreme Court (TH. Ratchadamnoen Nai) and of teh Prime Minister (Government House, Th Phitsanulok)

did you say 'tail between your legs?

Yeah, i did! Okay, i give up my conspiracy theories on this one. No wagging for a couple of hours...

[ESB7]

its called CYA

cover yr ass

But my question remains, why just these three (english speaking) countries? Why do they need to cover their ass, but others don't need to? What is it about these three bloody countries and their leaders? Being a cynic i just put it down to the overall fuss they consistently make over the next big terrorist act. They rule by fear, this helps keep the fear mode uppermost in its citizens' minds.

It's just too much of a coincidence that it's only ever english speaking countries that offer these ridiculous travel warnings. Everybody else is deemed to be able to think for themselves, but not this bunch of wimps.

Maybe other countries do, its just we are not aware of it being English speaking........

[earlofwindermere]

Another English speaking country that should be added is Canada:

The Nation Article

[elektrified]

Travel warnings only ever seem to come from one or all of three embassies - UK, Australia, or the US.

I wonder why...! What a bunch of wimps.

It is common knowledge that travel warnings are made by many other countries using their native languages, not English.

Well, if you can show me that this indeed the case, that other countries have issued warnings, then i would have to leave the thread with tail between legs. I'd be interested to know if they have issued warnings.

Just google it. Japan and The Netherlands have both issued warnings to their citizens. I'm sure many other countries have as well. It is sound advice.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

They've issued an advisory. A warning makes it sound like they're warning people not to travel to Thailand (all parts).

There is a standing travel advisory for Thailand. The perpetual one is to avoid unnecessary travel to the deep South. As political demonstrations come and go, the advice is typically tweaked/updated.

So while many people will feel that "A TRAVEL WARNING FOR THAILAND HAS BEEN ISSUED", what's actually closer to the fact is that the travel advice has been tweaked.

Edited February 21, 2010 by WinnieTheKhwai

[el jefe]

Another English speaking country that should be added is Canada:

The Nation Article

I thought Canada was a French speaking country?!

[neverdie]

Yes one needs to be very careful here, any minute now you could be surrounded by old ladies with handclappers

[VerbalKint]

Japan and The Netherlands have both issued warnings to their citizens.

If the Dutch government has warned it's citizens it can only be a very early April fools'day joke.