Should my friends cancel their flights into Bangkok this week?

[ghworker2010]

Friends of mine are flying into Bkk from Europe in 2 days an they seek my advice regarding the shutdown; i.e. if they should cancel their trip or not. If you live in Bangkok at the moment maybe you can provide some comment to this effect.

Im assuming that the shutdown is isolated to certain area’s and as long as their hotel is not in one of the said area’s then it should be fine. I would expect delays with taxi’s etc.

What is your opinion?

Many thanks

[oogster8]

up 2 them!

[chiang mai]

Avoid the CBD of Bangkok, but if staying elsewhere in Thailand, not a problem.

[Rumblecat]

Yeah, the problem I guess is that the shutdown is in numerous different areas with the aim of doing just that- 'shutting down' the city. Whether the numbers will remain, whether it'll escalate badly... hard to say.

So I guess depends on factors for them as well- are their tickets refundable? Are there other dates they can easily travel later? They'd still be able to get around the city (especially by Sky Train) but at the moment places like malls are closing early, some restaurants and attractions near the sites are also either closing early or shut... if it's a tourist style holiday they're after it's probably not the best time to visit.

On the other hand if they don't mind a bit of inconvenience and the possibility that the situation might escalate then I'd say go ahead.

[Loles]

I guess if you move out from your comp., you will see, you shouldn't .

[KhunWichai]

They should definitely avoid the major protests site of Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.

Us regular punter's will sneak in and keep all updated on these two very dangerous protest sites.

[krisb]

I guess if you move out from your comp., you will see, you shouldn't .

This forum is full of people living in Bangkok so makes perfect sense to ask here, just not ask you perhaps.

I would even go as far to say you would get better more accurate updates right here than any media could report.

[rgs2001uk]

The normal tourist shouldnt be affected at all, unless they have a reason to visit gov't complexes.

You have already mentioned taxis, its about the only thing that may give some disruption based on where they will stay.

Family and friends all living and working here in the city going about their business as usual.

[suthansman]

With the threat of radical units taking over or disrupting air traffic control if Yingluck does not step down by 20-00 hours today, I would have thought that would be a good reason to postpone or go for a refund. The news is on Thai Visa, Yahoo and other sources.

Surely it also depends where they want to stay in relation to the protest sites that are listed here on Thai Visa too.

I would not waste good holiday time in a potentially volatile area, but it has to be their decision based on the news and those posting from BKK.

I took a (slight) chance in flying to Canada 2 days after 9/11 and also during the coup here. But I am not one to worry easily. Yet you (people) should keep abreast fo the constantly changing situation.

Personally, I am wanting to change my flight out - for other reasons than the political situation here - but am waiting to hear what happens next, especially regards the current threat of taking / disrupting the air traffic control. I see that as a relatively minimal threat, but it is still a threat.

[nottocus]

Yes. Cancel.

[krisb]

Stupid question but what do their airline say? That should enough to decide.

[chiang mai]

And there's always the possible threat of nuclear attack by a neighboring country or the worry Thailand might be incaded of course, hmmm yes, probably best to cancel on that basis!

[M12MKD]

Wait until the country they are from issues a travel warning. They are more likely to be able to refund/change the booking.

But it's down to personal choice. I'm not cancelling my trip, albeit not until the 24th.

In theory from what I've read tourist should be ok. My other half has only be sent home from work once because of any possible danger.

[Familyonthemove]

Difficult to predict - current trend is that the protest sites are morphing into night time street parties.

Only a few hundred people each morning after many of the protesters/revelers have gone home - but building to a few thousand by the time the rock bands start at the stages in Ploenchit and Asoke.

It's still possible to get to the hotels in these areas - using back roads and by passing through the barriers in hotel cars/taxis - but it's not possible to sleep!

The tourist sites and entertainment areas are still open - but less busy than normal. Traffic in some areas is actually better than normal.

So currently there's no real reason to not come to Bangkok.

But ..... I can't see the current position lasting as the Government can simply sit back and wait for the protesters to get bored - so my guess is that it will ramp up to pile on some real pressure. This is where the serious disruption to holiday plans may come in.

My money is on a ramping up early next week when it becomes clear the current strategy is failing ..... but that's just a guess.

If it's a group of single people with flexible travel plans - then probably still OK to come and there's always the free street parties.

But if there's kids and/or a pressing need to back at work on a fixed date - then probably not worth the risk.

[donmuang37]

There are a lot of smart alec answers which you can ignore. The central business district and many intersections are impacted and are best avoided, including many government offices.

The SkyTrain is running but may be busy and motorcycle taxis may jack up their prices. Once away from the demonstration sites, life goes on as normal.

This unrest seems more serious than past incidents (I was here for the 2006 coup and the 2010 demonstrations) so things may escalate, but nobody knows for sure.

If it was my decision, I would come, but I would understand there is some risk of disruption, although slight. Just avoid any demonstrations. But if they are planning on spending their whole vacation on or near Sukhumvit Road, then I would delay. Hope that helps.

[whiteman]

yes +2

[corkscrew]

Come...it's even interesting.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mooner]

No. Ive been here through military coups and airport shutdowns. Most people come to Thailand to enjoy the beaches or the north so no problems. Get out of BKK and enjoy the country!

[chiang mai]

Exactly, and forgive my earlier dark humour (but some folks just don't get it any other way).

I've seen three such events here and it's always the same, possibly intense at times in the centre of Bangkok but else where in the country it's just business as usual, people often not knowing what's going on (or really caring) until they watch the news in the evening. These events really are overdone by the media but I suppose it distracts from problems at home!.

[Ulic]

My 80 year old mother is arriving at 9:20 pm and here two sisters are joining her here in Thailand in a week.

My mother is staying for 2 months escaping what has been a brutal start to the winter in Canada and her

sisters will fly in from France for a 1 month stay. All are aware of the political unrest, none are at all worried.

They will simply stay away from any protest sights.

[senor123]

One thing to bear in mind. My missus lives in Samut Prakhan. She tells me that the banks are advising that their ATMs might not be serviced due to the protests. This means that when the ATM runs out of money they may not be topped up.

[wym]

Obviously there is a slight chance of real problems, but away from the actual protest areas those chances are less than all the other kinds of risks you take by coming here at the best of times.

So don't worry be happy, just use common sense and everything will be fine.

[tw25rw]

Best time to go is when stuff like this scares people away.

[Skint]

My plane over last Friday was full every seat taken, the evening flight was also full. Flight prices unchanged this was klm.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[sniffdog]

Just read a report from a guy visiting Soi Cowboy (in the centre of one of the protest stages) and said there was no problem going into go-go's.

Now, when this is dragging on and the government issues a curfew, then it's really getting nasty for tourists.

[kranuan]

up 2 them!

what kind of advise is this to give the guy, grow up, you sound like a thai bar girl <deleted>

to the OP if bkk airport closes maybe chang mai airport will remain open, just tell your friends to get travel insurance right away and keep an up to date on latest news . hope this helps

[David48]

... if bkk airport closes maybe chang mai airport will remain open, just tell your friends to get travel insurance right away and keep an up to date on latest news . hope this helps

Last time they diverted some flights to the relatively nearby U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport

[LuckyLew]

Why fly to Thailand and risk ruining a holiday?

[Travel Dude]

No problem at all to come to Bangkok. Just stay away from the protests sites. Traffic is very ffluid and most tourist attractions are less crowded. The weather is very pleasant too.

From someone living here.

[tartempion]

I never ever changed travel plans due strikes or whatever, happened to be in Bangkok 08 to 12 Jan 2014, BKK was quieter than usual.

Last time i visited Grand Palace was october 2013, a nightmare, never saw THAT many tourist in one place.

It might be the right time now to visit the Grand Palace...