Anybody leaving Bangkok to avoid the protests?

[CMTourist]

Either through wanting to avoid the inconvenience or worry about the safety.

I live near Asoke. I'm seriously considering leaving Bangkok tonight just to be better safe than sorry.

Anybody else thinking of doing the same?

[impulse]

I live and work near Asoke and have the day off tomorrow because of the forecasts and unknowns. Normally, I'd be heading off for some R&R away from BKK for a 3 day weekend.

I'm not leaving simply because I'm afraid I'd get stuck OUT OF town if the city actually gets jammed up. Better for me, as a single working stiff, to get stuck between home and office. Got lots of food, water, cash and movies in case I get homebound. Office is on a very high floor with excellent security on the outside chance things get truly out of hand.

If I had a family with me, we'd already be on a beach somewhere, or at the river. Very different thought process if I were deciding for more than just me.

I hope all goes well for you. Make your decision based on what's right for you. Don't let anyone talk you into staying or leaving because they're a Rambo wannabe.

Edited January 12, 2014 by impulse

[LiveInHope]

I have seen numerous protests over the years. I do not think you should have any concerns if you are sensible and stay away from protest areas and large crowds. You will not be targetted unless you go looking for confrontational situations. This is for the Thai people to sort out for themselves. Just grab some beers, put your feet up and watch the TV. I have a wife and family here and I am cool. If I thought our lives were in jeopardy we would have gone elsewhere.

[OxfordWill]

Likewise have lived through situations like this and never felt under threat, even walking around protest sites.

This time might be different, but I doubt it.

At any rate, you're not going to be home invaded indonesian style. Thankfully, none of the leaders have realised the political mileage available by blaming the foreigners (yet).

Edited January 12, 2014 by OxfordWill

[jingjoke]

Ah yes, yee olde farang 'walking around protest sites' scenario. NOT! a good idea.

Stay home, and keep a low profile is probably a better scenario.

[David48]

Last time, during the protests, I was able to easily walk through the demonstrations and protests.

My balls are no bigger, nor smaller then most, my common sense was switched on, I do have a good read on body language and sort informal permission (through gesture) to pass through the area ... and this was never an issue.

I have good photos from that time.

All that said ... I hope it goes well on Monday and the following days and weeks for those in Bangkok.

I fly in this Friday, but will be staying just outside the City.

Cheers and good luck to all who have to deal with the situation.

OH ... I pray that no-one more dies and the situation doesn't escalate as it did previously with the last Red Shirt Protests.

[focus27]

In 2010 I got caught just inside the military cordon thrown around the redshirt protest site. It was not safe. Shops ran out of edible food within 36 hours, then they all closed. I was safe enough within the condo but could hear gunfire from maybe the parallel road. After a bit of analysis it became clear that fighting stopped for lunch and siesta, so on the 3rd day legged it to safety, still wary of snipers - one poor sod got shot having a fag on a balcony! I would have stayed put but my employer was less than sympathetic of my plight; I didn't stay with them long after that. I had to quickly rent a room near work that same day and left the condo once the troubles ended.

If the internet or mobile networks hold up, Twitter is your friend. I made a list of some dozen people who were nearby and we swapped local updates. Twitter is much faster and can give local info often missed by aggregators.

It really all depends on where you are - when shit happens, it happens quickly.

[thaigold]

Many of my dumb posterior'd American friends ask me why I would want to live in an Asian backwater like Thailand - especially Bangkok.

My answer: Los Angeles burns down every twenty years - what's the difference?

[alexviseu]

I moved from my hotel near democracy monument to an apartment in on nut. Hopefully nothing happens around here. Feeling relatively safe though. Already stocked up some supplies just in case.

[The Dancer]

I just called the Mixx disco basement of the Intercon right bang in Ratchaprasong. They are open tonight and tomorrow. If people are going dancing then ain't not much to be afraid of I guess.

And at 3am there'll be a dance-off between Suthep and Yingluck. Whoever wins gets to run the caretaker government. Wear your favorite color and be there.

Edited January 12, 2014 by The Dancer

[alexviseu]

Well. I would be more afraid of getting caught between confrontations betweeb yellows and reds or anything the army gets into it.

I like to think that it is highly improbable that there would be gangs/squads randomly targeting people that are just minding their own business (specially foreigners).

[HardenedSoul]

I live in Asoke.

No way I'm leaving.

I'm not a wannabe "tough guy"; I just don't believe that, as a foreigner, there's anything to be afraid of.

These morons blocked Asoke on 22nd December - Terminal 21 was still open and I bought dinner there.

[thai4me]

Non citizens best to keep out of this.

[David48]

I live in Asoke.

No way I'm leaving.

I'm not a wannabe "tough guy"; I just don't believe that, as a foreigner, there's anything to be afraid of.

These morons blocked Asoke on 22nd December - Terminal 21 was still open and I bought dinner there.

Were you here during that last one?

I was and I remember then restricting the hours then closing the BTS but ...

But did the Underground (MRT) service stop?

Just that I have to get my sister, when she arrives, out to Huay Kwang from Asoke Sukhumvit.

Thanks

[HardenedSoul]

Were you here during that last one?

I was and I remember then restricting the hours then closing the BTS but ...

But did the Underground (MRT) service stop?

Just that I have to get my sister, when she arrives, out to Huay Kwang from Asoke Sukhumvit.

Thanks

Do you mean on 22nd December or are you referring to the April 2010 carnage?

[BKK Blues Brother]

I was here in 2010 and shall not be going anywhere.

Gridlock and panic, no thanks.

It will all blow over again, no worries.

[David48]

Were you here during that last one?

I was and I remember then restricting the hours then closing the BTS but ...

But did the Underground (MRT) service stop?

Just that I have to get my sister, when she arrives, out to Huay Kwang from Asoke Sukhumvit.

Thanks

Do you mean on 22nd December or are you referring to the April 2010 carnage?

Back in 2010 thanks.

[celso]

Leaving Bangkok would require entering the most dangerous place in all of Thailand: the minibus.

[Curt1591]

Many of my dumb posterior'd American friends ask me why I would want to live in an Asian backwater like Thailand - especially Bangkok.

My answer: Los Angeles burns down every twenty years - what's the difference?

Plus, the LA riots can kick off with such happenings as the Lakers winning a championship game!

Go figure; victory riots ….

[JLCrab]

Why leave Bangkok now when all those rich hi-so potential-gik Thai girls are just poring into the streets?

[impulse]

Why leave Bangkok now when all those rich hi-so potential-gik Thai girls are just poring into the streets?

'Cause I've looked at myself in the mirror and figured out my (non-financial) chances with a hi-so?

[naff sed]

left for a border run a couple of months ago haven't seen fit to return since

[ExpatOilWorker]

Not leaving, but left already. Will be back again after 5 weeks of work.

[David48]

Were you here during that last one?

I was and I remember then restricting the hours then closing the BTS but ...

But did the Underground (MRT) service stop?

Just that I have to get my sister, when she arrives, out to Huay Kwang from Asoke Sukhumvit.

Thanks

Do you mean on 22nd December or are you referring to the April 2010 carnage?

Back in 2010 thanks.

Yes, indeed I was around here then.

As far as I remember, the MRT was open as usual before the violence kicked off.

Once it did, though, they closed it in keeping with the curfew which fell as early as 8pm from what I can remember.

The BTS was treated differently because some of the red shirts were firing home made rockets at one of the stations.

Thanks ...

[GrantSmith]

Already left for business reasons last Monday, not back until the following Monday. Provided things carry on as they are in the CBD areas leaving Swampy and the surrounding Expressways clear, I can't see any reason to be worried.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[captspectre]

I have seen numerous protests over the years. I do not think you should have any concerns if you are sensible and stay away from protest areas and large crowds. You will not be targetted unless you go looking for confrontational situations. This is for the Thai people to sort out for themselves. Just grab some beers, put your feet up and watch the TV. I have a wife and family here and I am cool. If I thought our lives were in jeopardy we would have gone elsewhere.

I sensible post! leave it up to the Thai's we are here because they allow us to be here.

[householder]

In a boring part of Eastern Bangkok, got a little extra just in case, and don't see any threat to life. Anyway, it's that or taking chances on the roads, which are way more dangerous!

[craigt3365]

A series of off topic posts have been removed from view.

[tartempion]

Arrived Don Mueang from down town (Asoke intersection) 12th Jan at 11.30, flight leaving after 13.00

Huge queue at luggage X-Ray check, check in counters Nok Air 10 deep, seems many people leaving by air.

Flight to Udon Thani was full, but are always full.

[isawasnake]

The tougher question is "should I go to work if my employer is an (obvious) a-hole, especially if I must go right through the middle of bkk to get there?