News Vs. Reality

[bcboy5440]

I live in Canada and have been considering a trip to Thailand. I was postponed last year due to personal business I had to look after. I have wanted to come to Thailand for a long time and have been trying to do as much research as I can before going. However when you look at the situation in Thailand I feel very badly for the tourism industry. The information out there is:

1) Governments are issuing travel advisories about avoiding any unnecessary travel to Thailand

2) The news is showing military action

3) Even TV forum is showing evidence that people are uncertain and getting nervous that they may have to be ready to leave

4) Red Shirts are threatening to go underground = terrorism

5) Previous incidents such as the take over of the airport

6) Reputation of instability in southern Thailand in the Muslim areas

As a result of all this uncertainty I am making the assumption that many people like myself are questioning the rationale of going to Thailand. I was chatting with a friend of mine that I was interested in going and his response was "are you nuts? have you not seen the news?".

I feel badly for the folks that rely on tourism. Because right now I think the average tourist has crossed Thailand off the list as it takes a long time to overcome negative impressions.

So with that in mind I am curious about the reality of life in Thailand right now compared to the view we get from afar. Is it safe to go to Thailand now?

If you go will the airport be open for a person to return?

What is the reality of being involved in a terrorist attack?

Is Chaing Mai still safe or is it impacted like Bangkok?

Thanks for the input

A potential visitor but nervous

[yabaaaa]

Ive found most reporting of anything is usually wrong.

[bcboy5440]

Ive found most reporting of anything is usually wrong.

If it is wrong then what is right? What is the reality on the ground in Thailand. Is it as bad as it is made to sound or is it business as usual? If it is business as usual why are people looking at preparing an exit strategy?

[GM1955]

If it is business as usual why are people looking at preparing an exit strategy?

They're probably not in most cases, it's just forum talk.

Every time there are Visa regulation changes or Bar opening times changes or whatever other changes, there will be many posts predicting the mass exodus of Farangs, look through the Forum archives, most are still in Thailand, still complaining yes, but still there.

And why not, what's the alternative to a guy that has lived in Thailand for 20 years, return home to Grimsby ?

One thing, don't ever run out of money in Thailand, it's a great place when you have money, but when you are broke, it's <deleted>.

Many people do run out of money though.

[phetaroi]

The OP asked:

"I ... have been considering a trip to Thailand. I was postponed last year ...

1) Governments are issuing travel advisories about avoiding any unnecessary travel to Thailand

2) The news is showing military action

3) Even TV forum is showing evidence that people are uncertain and getting nervous that they may have to be ready to leave

4) Red Shirts are threatening to go underground = terrorism

5) Previous incidents such as the take over of the airport

6) Reputation of instability in southern Thailand in the Muslim areas

As a result of all this uncertainty I am making the assumption that many people like myself are questioning the rationale of going to Thailand. I was chatting with a friend of mine that I was interested in going and his response was "are you nuts? have you not seen the news?".

...

So with that in mind I am curious about the reality of life in Thailand right now compared to the view we get from afar. Is it safe to go to Thailand now?

If you go will the airport be open for a person to return?

What is the reality of being involved in a terrorist attack?

..."

Well, I think the question comes down to how urgent is it for you to come to Thailand this year? Here in Bangkok the past few days, things are pretty much back to normal (unless you like hanging around Central World Mall). I've been coming here to visit since 1987...usually long 7 week visits at time. I even came immediately following the Suchinda coup. This is the only year that I would say -- wait -- see what happens.

Someone sort of indicated that no farangs are actually leaving Thailand. That's not my experience. After living here a year in retirement, I am leaving next week. And, in my somewhat upscale apartment complex of mostly farang on Soi 24, after a year of 100% occupancy rates (unheard of in this soi), 5 of the 29 apartments have emptied out in the past 2 weeks. Just to be fair and accurate, 3 of those 5 were people working for one particular Japanese company which felt the situation here is not stable...at least that's what the company apparently told the landlord.

You might very well come here and have a turmoil-free vacation. Or, more could happen. The question is, how much to you want Thailand this year?

[slapout]

Wife's niece works in a major hotel in CM. She said a lot of the cancellations are being blamed on the withdrawal of travel insurance which was formally issued to those who who were contemplating a trip to Thailand. If this does not concern you, that is one obstacle overcome.