Visiting Phuket, Bangkok And Pattaya In Feb, Safe To Go?

[cedd82]

Hi all,

I'm visiting in feb, first going to phuket and then to bangkok and finally pattaya. I've read that the red shirts are protesting again, should i steer clear of bangkok and pattaya?

Also where do the tourists stay in bangkok and pattaya? Thanks

[gotlost]

Watch out for the women.

[craigt3365]

I wouldn't steer clear, but would for sure monitor the situation. Places outside Bangkok have not really been affected, with a few exceptions. Pattaya has never really had any problems. Main problem for tourists was Bangkok (at the protest sites) and then problems at the airport when it was shut down. But I doubt that will be allowed to happen again. Of course, who knows! Just keep an eye on things and you will be fine...

[Ricardo]

Watch out for the women.

And the Lady-Boys !

And the 'Boys in Brown' !

And the street-vendors selling dodgy-gear !

And the jet-ski operators !

And the Southern-Thais !

And the shaven-head tattoo-covered farang-tourists !

Safer to stay home, in Afghanistan or the Bronx, really !

[nong38]

The red rallies semm to be every 2 weeks for 2 hours on a sunday afternoon, just keep an eye on whats going on but I dont think you will have any problems, I will travelling to Bangkok and Pattaya in February as well and I am not to worried, the rallyers have promised to be peaceful and so far have, so come and enjot

[jdinasia]

To answer the OP's questions ... generally safe, but pay attention to your surroundings (particularly in Pattaya).

Second question ---- tourists usually stay in hotels.

[CharlieH]

Just be VERY aware of your surroundings in Pattaya and NEVER go anywhere near the Jet skis ANYWHERE in Thailand.

Personally, I would just give Pattaya a miss altogether.

[phuketrichard]

Phuket is safe and never any troubles from the reds or yellows

be aware firts 10 days of Feb will be very crowded here in Phuket because of Chinese new years and PRICES seem to go up for that period .

Never rent a jet ski;last few dyas a group of Austrlians were hit for over 70,000 baht for repairs;

They rented a few jet skies and did NOT take them out fo the water to look for damages. ON their return they were taken out of the water and lo and behold DAMAGE> Pay or go to Jail. the jet boys told them they could not complain as the Tourist police do not work on weekends!!!!

[keeniau96]

Phuket actually had quite a row a year or so ago with the yellow-shirt sit-ins at the airport. But does not look like more of such in the next few months. Avoid the tuk-tuks in Phuket, they have a nasty reputation not just for price gouging but actual criminal assaults on passengers. Very organized "mafia" thugs. Minivans at the airport are better but they have their own scams. Don't even think of jet-skis.

[gk10002000]

I have been to Thailand 10 times since 2004. Usually have some interesting things happen when there but never any danger. Of course one can find trouble if you try. I travel by myself. About half the time I have met up with some friends from the USA over there, but we stay on opposite sides of Pattaya usually and head in different directions at different times.

0) On my first trip in 2004 I looked on the internet, made note of a few hotels in Pattaya, found a mini shuttle from Thai Airways from the old airport to pattaya and made the trip. No issues at all.

1) In december 2004 I was there during the tsunami. By pure luck we had changed our travel plans at the last minute and went to Ko Samet instead of Phuket where we were originally booked.

2) I was there two weeks after the PM Thaksin was overthrown and military presence was noticable but had not effect on anything I did.

3) I was there during the Yellow shirt protest when they occupied the airport. I was in Pattaya and also in Bangkok and Sukothai during that time traveling by Bus and the BTS skytrain. Really had not problem.

4) I was there in May of 2009 when the Red shirts were messing up Bangkok. I was in Pattaya during that time and didn't have an issue except for the suddent two night curfew in Pattaya! That pissed me off enough that I went home and back to work. But no real problems.

The bottom line is I would not worry about safety. Use common sense. Don't wear big expensive jewelry. Don't bring any at all. Why tempt people that are probably not as well off economically as you are? Why tempt the hotel cleaning staff? Why risk losing it while on vacation. Showing off will not benefit you in Thailand. Keep things simple.

If going to Pattaya, the Bell bus from the airport is really nice, as are any of the other busses from Ekamai public bus station. Nice big safe busses that are priced well. Avoid the Pattaya Jet Ski mess. Situation seems to get worse and some bad thing may happen when somebody's temper finally bubbles over. Pattaya bay water is not that clean for swimming anyway.

Any of the moderately priced hotels in Pattaya have never caused me any trouble. I think I had $100 stolen once that I had in the bottom of my travel bag that I had in the room, but oh well. Flipper House, Flipper Lodge, Eastiny Place, Areca Lodge etc. All the places like that are very safe accommodation wise. Pick you price range and you can go more if you want. Decent pools in all of those hotels.

If in Bangkok and you want a quiet gem, near the DUSIT zoo, go to Suan Dusit. It is a hotel run by the university next door. The students intern there. Dead quiet and great for sleeping and a good price. Not really near the action, but not far from the major Wat Thais either. Short taxi or tuk tuk ride there. If you want action, well, check the internet, Nana, soi cowboy, etc. if that is your taste.