Safer Places Of Interest In Bangkok For My Trip May 5th To 8th ( Urgent )

[SurgeryAddict]

Hi, does anybody know of any safer areas of interest in Bangkok that are not afflicted by the violent protests and imminent clampdown? I have been to bangkok at least 5 times, and roughly know my way around the BTS system.

Please advise.

I hear that the following areas are protest areas

- Paragon, Siam Square, that area?

- Around silom and sala-daeng BTS?

May I know if that is true?

Also, is pratunam complex area safe?

Thank you!

[draftvader]

This answer will change daily for now. There is likely to be an announcement in around 10-15 minutes that might change everything for your visit. As it stands right now the following is true:

Paragon, Siam Square, Centralworld, Lumphini and parts of Silom are strongly advised against visiting. Until ALL Red Shirts have been cleared and the area has been given a THOROUGH bomb sweep (not going to happen as they are using the "openly defunct" bomb detector that caused so much furore about 3 months ago) this area will be an "advised against" area.

Being that the Pratunam Complex is RIGHT outside the front door of the Red Camp I should imagine that visiting here also needs an advisory. Every time I have passed recently it has been open, just bear in mind your escape routes will be limited if something started and you will be at the bottom of the feeding pile in that situation.

So, right now, not good. In 2 days this could all be clear, but sense would say that you should be on alert in case of bombs, etc. Bear in mind that even if the Red Shirts DO agree to the terms they are split into many factions and nobody can be sure of the complete agreement of all parties in this deal. Being Thailand we are about to see some people being strung out to dry, so there is a strong possibility of petulant behaviour.

[SurgeryAddict]

Hi, Thank you so much for your detailed reply.

Is Emporium Bangkok safe?

Also, which areas would you recommend then? That are 'safer'.

My hotel is in On-nut , far from protest areas.

I understand the situation is unclear, and very dynamic, but I need just a general picture, so that at least my 4 days trip would be more memorable.

[londonthai]

this time you might try the old town, with palaces and temples - something different, from what you know already about bangkok. If you are adventurous enough, move even further west, on the other side of the river, to thonburi

[SurgeryAddict]

this time you might try the old town, with palaces and temples - something different, from what you know already about bangkok. If you are adventurous enough, move even further west, on the other side of the river, to thonburi

Thank you for your advice, any specific names and places to recommend?

[draftvader]

I live in Bangplad and love it, but I would fail to find any reason for a tourist to visit here This COULD go on forever being that this situation is open ended. On Nut will be fine, though it is SO far from anywhere useful. Emporium is open and there are plenty of shopping centres all over Bangkok. If you do stay in On Nut then consider catching a bus out to "Central" Bang Na where you will find 90% of what is in CentralWorld at very similar prices. For your "Pratunam" shopping you could visit JJ Mall on a week-day for an air-con Chatuchak experience. Things are SO bad right now that a little bargaining will go a long way....they NEED to pay the rent. You will find a lot of the same stuff as Pratunam (indeed many Pratunam vendors have outlets in JJ or at Chatuchak) here or at the market on the week-end.

As somebody else has already alluded to it might be worth considering the old part of the city. You don't HAVE to stay at Thanon Khao San if you don't want to (I never did....real Marmite place....and I loathe it). There are plenty of nice places in the Thewet area and higher up Samsen (Soi 10+) to stay and then you are spitting distance to SO much of what this city REALLY has to offer. Or you could find a place near to the Golden Mount then you would be conveniently located for the fastest transport secret in Bangkok, the Klong (Canal) Boat, which you can catch from the Phan Fa side of the Golden Mount to Pratunam in around 12 minutes for 12/14 baht!!! Try beating that ANY other way!!!

[draftvader]

A little more. I have never stayed at this place (and I don't remember the name), but I was conducting some market research in the area and it did come across nicely. There is a "guesthouse" (quite upmarket) above a coffee-shop on Thanon Maha Chai almost opposite Golden Mount. Hang on....THINK I have found a website...this is the place. PLEASE bear in mind that I went in here doing market research for a client. The receptionist was busy, but friendly. I got talking to an English lad in there who was VERY impressed with the quality and price. From what he said he seemed to be an experienced traveller.

PLEASE don't flame me anybody. I know this might look like advertising, but seriously I was doing market research for another resort locally and came across this one.

Boutique Hostel on Maha Chai

If you do end up booking there then please don't hesitate to ask me about local buses as, in a rather nerdy way, I know quite a lot of the routes

[SurgeryAddict]

Thank you for your kind advice, I will surely try JJ mall as it is readily accessible and next to Chatuchak. I have never been there before too! How do I get to there from Chatuchak?

Also, I am intending to go to Central Plaza Rama II. Is it safe?

And yes, my bus did pass by Central Bang Na before, as my hotel that I have booked is somewhere near Wat Lung Por Tho. I intend to go there too to have a look.

By the way, is the Wat Lung Por Tho a recommended place to visit? Many thai taxi drivers know it

Thanks for your advice.

Edited May 4, 2010 by SurgeryAddict

[draftvader]

To get to JJ Mall you either walk through Chatuchak to the opposite side from BTS or get a taxi from BTS. Rama 2 should be fine.

[SurgeryAddict]

To get to JJ Mall you either walk through Chatuchak to the opposite side from BTS or get a taxi from BTS. Rama 2 should be fine.

Thank you draftvader, unfortunately I have already booked my guesthouse which is located near the Wat Lung Por Tho, Its comfortable, and clean, with fast and reliable internet access. Also comes with many facilities like a gym, swimming pool, etc. Its pretty cheap too at around 400 thai baht per night for an air-conditioned room!

Oh, I have to ask since my trip is tomorrow. The chit-lom area which includes amarin plaza, gaysorn, etc are out of bounds?

So is the Patpong area?

[draftvader]

I have no concise information on Amarin. I do know that it did open up the other day with access from BTS only. Gaysorn has been closed throughout this and should be viewed in the same light as CentralWorld, etc.

If you have booked your room then do make sure you take a trip to the Sanam Luang area. For easy access you can use the Klong Boat stop on Suk Soi 3 (Nana BTS). It is about a 10 minute walk from the BTS. From here you can catch a boat directly to the western end of the route where you will be next to the Golden Mount and very short (meter) taxi rides from most the old city's best landmarks.

Have fun

[321niti123]

Situation is looking better, you might be able to go to those places in a few days.

The reds are considering PM's proposition if they accept then those places should all be open then.

Edited May 4, 2010 by 321niti123

[draftvader]

Situation is looking better, you might be able to go to those places in a few days.

The reds are considering PM's proposition if they accept then those places should all be open then.

Not so sure there is acceptance here. If this does work and they clear, PLEASE be vigilant. I strongly doubt that the Thai Police are going to provide a thorough sweep of the area, this could leave anything. Planted bomb, "disguised" red shirt waiting to make a point (being that the leaders seem to be able to get around the city unhindered, WHO knows?). Both seem unlikely, bit like it was in the UK when I was growing up with the IRA attacks...but it still happened and many died.

[SurgeryAddict]

Where is the sanam luang area?

And how do I get there? Where is the Klong Boat stop on Suk Soi 3?

I read that it is in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok?

Sorry I'm not that good with thai geography..

[321niti123]

Situation is looking better, you might be able to go to those places in a few days.

The reds are considering PM's proposition if they accept then those places should all be open then.

Not so sure there is acceptance here. If this does work and they clear, PLEASE be vigilant. I strongly doubt that the Thai Police are going to provide a thorough sweep of the area, this could leave anything. Planted bomb, "disguised" red shirt waiting to make a point (being that the leaders seem to be able to get around the city unhindered, WHO knows?). Both seem unlikely, bit like it was in the UK when I was growing up with the IRA attacks...but it still happened and many died.

Yeah, you shouldn't go to where the protest are but central world, paragon and the shopping places near the reds should be open and safe.

Just dont go near the streets where they were/are protesting.

[SurgeryAddict]

Situation is looking better, you might be able to go to those places in a few days.

The reds are considering PM's proposition if they accept then those places should all be open then.

Not so sure there is acceptance here. If this does work and they clear, PLEASE be vigilant. I strongly doubt that the Thai Police are going to provide a thorough sweep of the area, this could leave anything. Planted bomb, "disguised" red shirt waiting to make a point (being that the leaders seem to be able to get around the city unhindered, WHO knows?). Both seem unlikely, bit like it was in the UK when I was growing up with the IRA attacks...but it still happened and many died.

Yeah, you shouldn't go to where the protest are but central world, paragon and the shopping places near the reds should be open and safe.

Just dont go near the streets where they were/are protesting.

Thank you for your advice, indeed I can try to pay a visit to paragon for some fine dining. Any places to recommend within siam paragon?

Yes I read that the situation has abated. Though it remains to be seen if there's anything that could spark an uproar again,

[ukrules]

Is Emporium Bangkok safe?

Yes it is, it's in a different area - just off Phrom Phong Skytrain station.

[givenall]

You can go all over even the RED zone which I don’t recommend. If you stay away from the Red Zone, everywhere else is very safe. I live 500 meter from the Central world just outside of the Red Zone and other than the noise everything is very normal

[draftvader]

Where is the sanam luang area?

And how do I get there? Where is the Klong Boat stop on Suk Soi 3?

I read that it is in front of the Grand Palace in Bangkok?

Sorry I'm not that good with thai geography..

Sanam Luang is the open area in front of the Grand Palace. In itself it is historic, but is now nothing more than a dusty car park/market. However, within 10 minutes of Sanam Luang are about 6 of the top 10 tourist attractions in Bangkok. Grand Palace & Wat Pho being the most famous of these. The klong boat stop is actually on Soi 3. As you head away from Suk on Soi3 you will pass Bumrunigrad hospital, then you will cross a bridge, the stop is under the bridge. Use this to get you past the worst of the situation peacefully and quickly, then catch a taxi for the last km or so (you will need your energy for wandering around the area).

[SurgeryAddict]

Thank you for your kind comments : )

Please continue to update , whoever knows of, recommend great tourism places in bangkok which are currently in a relative state of peace : )

[chadintheusa]

Red shirt protests affect Siam, Chitlom and Sala Daeng bts stations mostly. The area between sukumwit to Rama 4 around Lumphini park is best left alone. Emporium is fine with no problems. Khao san road and area around Grand Palace have been cleared out by the protesters weeks ago. Chatuchuk market is fine, JJ mall is right next door, easily accessible by subway. Traffic can be heavy on Phetuburi road North of the protest zone. Silom is packed with soldiers, not a good time to visit there. Across the river Central at Pinklao is not affected. River taxis are operating normally and all stops along the river are fairly safe.

[SurgeryAddict]

Hi all

We had a great time in Bangkok. Thanks for those who helped.

We went to

Safe places are :

Central Rama II

Central Bang-Na ( Near On-Nut )

MBK Center ( Near siam )

JJ Mall ( Near Chatuchak )

The mall at On-Nut BTS

Saphan Kwai BTS area

Ari BTS area

To AVOID :

Siam Paragon/Square -> with red-shirts and are closed !

We had Dunkin Donuts there, but had to leave at 6.00PM cause there is a state of emergency going on!