Visitng Bkk Next Week (want To Be Safe).

[shafraz]

Hello All,

I've been to BKK about 3 times in the past, however this time I hear lots of bad things and news due to the red shirt protests and violence.

I am thinking of staying at one of the two locations mentioned below:

1) Bangkok Suite Hotel,

1 Petchburi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.

2) White Palance Hotel,

40 Soi Petchburi 15 (Somprasong 3), Phayathai

Rajtavee Bangkok 10400, Thailand

I am not sure if these places are in a safe location or perhaps close to the Red Shirt protest / violence areas. I definitely don't want my visit to BKK to be a unpleasant and deadly one.

Any advice on if I could stay at either hotel 1) or 2) and moreover, advice on where to avoid would be much helpful.

Thank you.

Shaf

[ballbreaker]

Considering what has been happening I would choose anywhere on Sukhumvit over area you have picked.

[jamesjdaly]

I would also advise to stay in the Sukhumvit area instead of Petchburi Road.

[SantiSuk]

See this thread for a debate between the bravados and the nancy boys (into which class I seem to have been put). It specifically talks about Petchburi and Sukhumvit:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-ban...34#entry3503434

I would advise that lower Sukhumvit (Nana to soi Cowboy) is probably ok but duck if the proverbial hits the fan as it's an escape route from the big rally site 2k away - not the one that had the conflagration on Saturday.

Go a bit further out - to Phrom Pong and beyond and I would expect you will have no issues.

Does anyone know if the Reds are still hanging around in lower Sukhumvit (not that such would necessarily make it unsafe).

[tlongdon]

If you want cheap, safe and convenient, try the Hotel Ibis, Nana.

[IMA_FARANG]

I personally would stay off Petchburi Road.

if you want to stay on Sukhumvit Road, I would stay from at least Soi 13 or 15 up (higher numbers). There are many hotels available in that area.

Or try a hotel on Silom Road...shouldn't be any problem there.

I would say 80% of Bangkok is safe. Just avoid any obvious demonstrations...and if you de see a convoy of Red Shirts passing by, don't get involved. The demonstrations are not anti-foriegn anyhow. Just don't get caught if anything happens...probably nothing will, but you should avoid any police/demonstator confrontations. If you do, get out of the way, inside somewhere as quickly as possible.

A little common sense, and you'll be fine.

[coutsa]

I am staying at Pathumwan princess which joins on the MBK complex. Is that right in the red zone?

[tlongdon]

I am staying at Pathumwan princess which joins on the MBK complex. Is that right in the red zone?

almost slap bang in the middle of it, but to be fair MBK was one of the malls to remain open during the problems, and at least has a large pleasant pool area to hang out in safety if things get agitated again. If I was at PP, I wouldn't think of moving. Interncontinental, Holiday Inn, Erawan or Arnoma - then yes, cancel straight away. Just in case.

[SantiSuk]

I am staying at Pathumwan princess which joins on the MBK complex. Is that right in the red zone?

almost slap bang in the middle of it, but to be fair MBK was one of the malls to remain open during the problems, and at least has a large pleasant pool area to hang out in safety if things get agitated again. If I was at PP, I wouldn't think of moving. Interncontinental, Holiday Inn, Erawan or Arnoma - then yes, cancel straight away. Just in case.

Good advice. The Red shirts rally live thread states that the Phan Fa reds will consolidate into the Ratchaprasong site today. Should swell the size of the Ratchaprasong site down the road from your hotel back to Saturday's height. It seems very unlikely that the Government will try to confront the protesters again over Songkran (much more likely that we have splinter clashes at Army and other strategic locations if the Reds go walkies). If there is another major confrontation near the hotel stay inside the hotel not in the pool. what goes up (live rounds) must come down!

[coutsa]

dam_n these protests, I am scheduled to check in on April 30th. Will it be over by then or worse? Your thoughts??

[SantiSuk]

dam_n these protests, I am scheduled to check in on April 30th. Will it be over by then or worse? Your thoughts??

Yes - it will be over by then or worse.

But seriously (a) there will always be somewhere to go in Bangkok that is completely safe ( getting a hotel on a walk in basis is the easiest it has ever been © the obvious evening activities are not going to go away - I'm talking about eating and drinking of course, but I'm sure Nana and SC are still going strong! (d) Pattaya is just down the road still and has no attraction to the Reds in the absence of international leader conferences.

Consolidation of the Reds into one site at Ratchaprasong (if implemenbted as predicted) means the 5 star tourist sites are a bit more accessible and Khao San Road can reopen for safer business

[ThaiEye]

Phetchburi Road is very safe and away from the protest site at Rajaprasong. The red shirts have cancelled all activities till after Songkran, so all is quiet now.

Altogether, Bangkok is totally all right for foreign tourists - just avoid any protest; makes simple common sense.

[jbkk1]

Well, i recommend staying on Petchaburi road. I've been here since March 25 and staying at Amari Atrium hotel with no problems at all with the red shirts and nice and far from the protest zone. It's not dangerous at all..And i've stayed at Amari Atrium all 4 times i've been to bkk and it's a great hotel with fabolous staff and service. And now due to the protests the price has dropped quite a bit. when i arrived superior room was around 2400 baht per night including breakfast now its 1900 baht including breakfast.