US Embassy in Bangkok advises citizens to stock a two week supply of cash, food and medicine

[TD68]

You make bold assumptions Z. Been in the region since 92. Problem with discussions, especially in faceless forums, is they are often lacking in fact. Again, references please?

[pantareiyingluck]

Yeah. Hello....Fiat 500? 70's model? Even Suthep could changea tyre on those things. But alone.......reckon he is too sissy for that. He needs 'helpers'

= whistle blowing jongle jimmy's.

[TD68]

And by the way Z, last time I looked outside it was hardly flooding.

[JesseFrank]

Come on guys reserve your place now, space is limited, advanced payment is required.

[Prbkk]

Weak sister yanks. Australia leads the world in quality of govt warnings...220 countries, 4,000 pages, 6 warning levels: all summarized to...nasty people out there; if something happens to you ,it's your own fault for going there

[impulse]

Wife and self have three trips planned now untik Songkran. Plans are unchanged.

Ya think maybe these warnings are for folks that just got off the airplane and landed on Khaosan Road?

If one oblivious tourist from Khaosan Road DOESN'T wander the 100 meters or so to ground zero and innocently join what looks like a street festival, the warning has been a success.

Yesterday, I ran into 2 Euro cuties outside my office building, both wearing whistles around their neck they had just bought. They asked me why everyone was selling whistles at Asoke Junction. I pointed to where the protest was planned, and told them that wearing the whistles could be construed to indicate they support the protesters. I suggested they put the whistles in their pockets and enjoy watching history being made- it's all been good natured up until now.

Just lovely tourists in Bangkok for the first time without a care in the world. That's the kind of folks that need these warnings. Before it goes bad on them and they don't have a clue why.

For that, the Embassy has my gratitude and my respect.

Edited January 10, 2014 by impulse

[pumpuiman]

It's good to know there are so many tough guys here, growing up with bombs falling around them running fearlessly into the fray.

And not giving a reminder to families and elderly tourists makes you tough too.

One of you tough guys should walk up to an American (hopefully me) and call him a pussy to his face.

Well, there's an intelligent reply.

18:47 --- the Chang beginning to take effect is it?

This thread was about the warning from the U.S. Embassy and whether it was fearmongering or not.

No, this thread was about an announcement from an embassy, had nothing to do with fear mongering.

I don't remember the last time I drank, and I don't take people bashing my country as well as you I guess.

So I can call you and all your friends pussies, and you won't respond?....seems pretty pussy to me...but OK.

[pumpuiman]

It's good to know there are so many tough guys here, growing up with bombs falling around them running fearlessly into the fray.

And not giving a reminder to families and elderly tourists makes you tough too.

One of you tough guys should walk up to an American (hopefully me) and call him a pussy to his face.

Exactly my guess is most of these guys are the same poor old sots I see drinking themselves to death everyday I pass the bars. Most of the time they are European especially the English(Nothing against the English some of my friends are from England and they will tell you its national pride to be able to throw up,pass out and drink some more 4 days strait!)

This guy pumpuiman really thinks its important to challenge Americans by calling them pussy.

That is pretty gay.

Look up "sarcasm"

[Pib]

Thank f@@k I am from another place...

Agree...that you are from another place.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Pib

[zydeco]

You make bold assumptions Z. Been in the region since 92. Problem with discussions, especially in faceless forums, is they are often lacking in fact. Again, references please?

You could easily have found this for yourself by going to the little search form at the top right hand corner of this page. But here you go: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/I-have-read-that-one-shouldnt-drink-the-water-in-S-30199405.html Think you can get back on topic, now?

[Prbkk]

on a more serious note, it would be very wise for people to check that they have sufficient medication, for anyone with a chronic condition

[Credo]

There are a lot of different people living in different areas, with a large number all over Bangkok. Many of these areas are going to be safe as a Sunday in the park. Some areas are going to be blocked off. Some people will be able to get what they need and other people may be barricaded into an area. As the Boy Scout motto goes: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst.

There are things that people just don't think about, like getting medicine. Also that fact that supply routes in and around the city may experience major disruptions.

It's my opinion that these particular protesters will start to dwindle after a day or two, but there is no way of knowing. The other factor is the pro-gov't supporters and those perceived to be pro-gov't supporters. They may stay away or they may not.

The problem with Thailand is it is very, very unpredictable.

[jalansanitwong]

No problem in Bangkok as long as you stay away from the protests.

Stocking up is just another way to rip off the consumer and give the economy a quick boost.

Sort of like a mini christmas/boxing day.

Im not rushing off to the shops in a panic.

[Credo]

I will be staying away from the protests, but I am afraid the protests might not stay away from me.

[zydeco]

Just read that Yingluck is denying that she is relocating her command post to the Police Academy in Nakhon Chaisi. Which means she is probably on her way there right now. Not even bucolic Nakhon Chaisi, it seems, is immune to disruption. If chaos can come to Nakhon Chaisi, it can come to anywhere.

[silent]

There a difference between being prudent and having a plan vs. being a "scaredy cat".

Embassy is just typical government weenies trying to look productive and helpful while really just covering their <deleted> by spoon-feeding info to the lowest common denominator out there.

Point is what, precisely? ?

[beautifulthailand99]

Well I'd say it's baked in now - just back from Tesco Rangsit and great big holes appearing in the shelves of the obvious essentials. Never seen that before so - just a few at the moment stocking up but it ha started for sure.

[Thai at Heart]

Putting this whole article on the internet is to me very irrisponsible of Thaivisa. You should have ommitted the part about the money. you have now put ALL Americans and their famillies in danger from people that might break in to get the money. I think you should think about what you put on here just as much as you read all replies. Please think first next time.

I trust this is sarcastic

[bkksteviejai]

Not quite time to wet the bed chaps. However, pulling a few more baht out of the ATM might be prudent. Saw the outlaws in chachoengsao today, they were of the opinion that it could get ugly(er) than your bog standard run of the mill thai political protest.

Sent from my GT-S7562 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited January 10, 2014 by bkksteviejai

[harrry]

Does not mean it may not be prudent to take some precautions anyway. If the electricity goes off the pumos won't work and that perfectly drinkable tap- water will not come. If it stops when it starts again it may not be so pure because of seepage while the pumps were out etc.

ATMs will not work without power and it is likely that in the event of trouble the banks could shut down for a few days.

A bit of food and some water and cash sounds a good precaution as is medicine if you need it..

Wonder if I should get a couple more oxygen bottles as extra spares if my Oxygen Converter does not work.

Edited January 10, 2014 by harrry

[fifthcolumn]

Zydeco, re the Bangkok tap water, could you give me a reference? My other half is in PH and tells me otherwise. No reference = irresponsible post.

Your post indicates you are new, here. So, here is a suggestion. Rather than take this thread off topic, look into the discussions on surviving the flood of 2011. They are filled with discussions of the dangers of drinking tap water in Bangkok. But, hey, if you want to drink it, go right ahead. Nobody is stopping you.

Nonsense. Well those idiots obviously never heard of boiling water or adding bleach. And yes, in a FLOOD, it is highly advisable not to drink running water but a riot or urban anarchy is not a flood is it?

"Surviving" the flood - rotflmao.

[LiveInHope]

The US Embassy is in full cover-your-ass mode, as it should be, given the litigious nature of our nationals. State didn't have the chance to issue a similar warning in advance of the Reds because the Reds were not considerate enough to provide prior notice of intent.

Having lived through a dozen or so coups here, in Laos, and in Vietnam, I may have developed a little of the blitzkrieg attitude, when Londoners went about their business despite the almost daily German bombing. You do get used to things, for sure. On the other hand, despite the clear desire of the "mob" to keep it friendly, there are bound to be groups (on both sides!) anxious to stir up trouble. So there is nothing certain except uncertainty, which is the case whether or not you're in the middle of a political storm.

Be prudent; follow social media; weather the storm in a friendly pub.

Well said. I have seen everything here over the last 40 years and never had an issue. Short supplies will be caused by panic buyers and I doubt very much that the anti-government protesters will start any violence. That will come from third-parties connected to the existing government.

Travel 10-15 kms out from the centre and life will be as usual. The US Embassy is covering itself for all eventualities and it makes sense. Just stay away from confrontational situations and large crowds. Most of the opposition to the anti-government protesters is cause by peer pressure in rural areas and wishing to save face. Nobody really has the stomach for it.

I really hope that it might be all over quite quickly.

[fifthcolumn]

Wife just got a call. Work Monday cancelled. Big, big corporation in central BKK.

We shall watch the smoke from the rooftop while having cocktail at sunset. Reminds me if the Laguna Beach, CA fire. Was only a handful that did not evacuate. We had a bbq on the roof and watched the millionaires houses burn on the ridge.

[Prbkk]

Zydeco, re the Bangkok tap water, could you give me a reference? My other half is in PH and tells me otherwise. No reference = irresponsible post.

Your post indicates you are new, here. So, here is a suggestion. Rather than take this thread off topic, look into the discussions on surviving the flood of 2011. They are filled with discussions of the dangers of drinking tap water in Bangkok. But, hey, if you want to drink it, go right ahead. Nobody is stopping you.

Nonsense. Well those idiots obviously never heard of boiling water or adding bleach. And yes, in a FLOOD, it is highly advisable not to drink running eater but a riot or urban anarchy is not a flood is it?

"Surviving" the flood - rotflmao.

Is it safe to presume that a spot of Jameson's or similar would kill bugs in tap water ( and in what dilution)?

[Rob8891]

Zydeco, re the Bangkok tap water, could you give me a reference? My other half is in PH and tells me otherwise. No reference = irresponsible post.

Your post indicates you are new, here. So, here is a suggestion. Rather than take this thread off topic, look into the discussions on surviving the flood of 2011. They are filled with discussions of the dangers of drinking tap water in Bangkok. But, hey, if you want to drink it, go right ahead. Nobody is stopping you.

Nonsense. Well those idiots obviously never heard of boiling water or adding bleach. And yes, in a FLOOD, it is highly advisable not to drink running eater but a riot or urban anarchy is not a flood is it?

"Surviving" the flood - rotflmao.

Is it safe to presume that a spot of Jameson's or similar would kill bugs in tap water ( and in what dilution)?

I don't often appreciate your posts.... but this, taken with your avatar is PRICELESS....

[maxman71]

Only Bangkok?

Should us provincials be concerned enough to start hoarding as well?

Aren't such messages likely to start a panic ... like ATMs running dry?

If the Embassy is advising 2 weeks supply of goods, I'd at least double that. And, as a matter of practice, I always keep at least a few thousand USD worth in various foreign currencies stashed outside the bank; a Thai gold jewelry stash is also a good idea. While I am not a gun nut, having never owned one, some form of "security" is not a bad idea either. And...stay out of BKK for now if at all possible. The above is recommended in general, not just in this situation.

[taony]

Learned long ago that the US embassy warnings mean nothing. Actually less than nothing, because now, what should i believe? Is it serious or more bs US PR crapitude? This is what happens when you dcry wolf every two minutes, you put your own citizens in danger.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[spirit47]

I always keep 10 to 14 days supply of food and water in the house. What is it with the Euros, here? Do they all live hand to mouth?

Me too, but now I think we must stock up for party...

[TD68]

Thanks for your worthless advice and reference. The authority, MWA follows WHO standards. Water is tested at treatment and periodically at random end user points. Ignorance is bliss.

[fifthcolumn]

If you are that worried, pack up the wheelchair and go have a holiday in some neighboring country. A month will only set you lot back 30k+ and while you are there you can contemplate your future in this unstable country that you moved to for whatever dubious reasons in the first place.

Edited January 10, 2014 by fifthcolumn