How safe are the Malls in Chiang mai

[haybilly]

OK, we are all aware that we don't 'Give In To Terror'--but, in TV members opinion--how safe is it to hang out in the Malls, and other high profile public spaces in Chiang mai? A lot of us have teenage children who seem to gravitate to these spaces at weekends, do you still allow them, or do you tell them to avoid these places?

I just wanted to gauge the general consensus.

I guess that I should just add that this is in view of recent developments in Bangkok.

Edited August 21, 2015 by haybilly

[Seligne2]

I think the greater danger lies in getting to and from the malls.

[steven100]

what a stupid post ..... more dangerous in crossing the road ...

[thai006]

more dangerous in europe and usa , than thailand

[haybilly]

It wasn't something that really concerned me, either--but, earlier today on 2 separate occasions, Thai people have said that, at the moment, these places were better avoided.

[MESmith]

Best avoided before the bombing in BKK

[bangmai]

They've been screening customers entering the local malls for months, here, and years in BKK. I've avoided the Malls on weekends for years, except for the very functional KSK. I've avoided malls in the US for decades. Based on what I have seen in Southern Thailand, night markets would be a more likely and easier target.

[kaptainrob]

It wasn't something that really concerned me, either--but, earlier today on 2 separate occasions, Thai people have said that, at the moment, these places were better avoided.

If your time's up, it's up. #27 bus, plane crash, bomb or whatever .... one can be alert and avoid potentially dangerous situations but no action will provide indemnity from random acts of terror.

We were in BKK last few days and felt totally safe except for crossing thru Sukhumvit traffic ... it's a big city. Same same CM and our airport and malls have far greater (pretense of) security than anything in BKK.

[Thakkar]

Hmmm...teens who would listen on their parents and avoid going to the mall if told to. I'd like to meet these strange, otherworldly creatures of whom you speak.

T

[chingmai331]

Dear OP. If you are threatened by the malls, don't go there. Simple, eh?

[FolkGuitar]

If you give in to terrorists, they have won.

Be aware of your surroundings, be aware of the people, know where the exits are. Other than that, live your life. Don't hide from it.

[bangmai]

Who wins if you don't go because there are little kids screaming at the top of their lungs?

[haybilly]

Dear Chingmai,

I have not said that I feel threatened by these places-I was merely interested in public opinion.

[chiang mai]

Perfectly safe, I visited Central Festival two days ago and Airport Plaza yesterday to do some banking, it's all business as usual and fairly crowded, folks shouldn't get too excited by it all.

[fatfather]

Not safe for your "grapao stang" .

Fatfather

[chiang mai]

He means wallet.

[steven100]

OP : I gotta tell you I am scared ... !! everyday I go into the mall and order a toasted fried chicken & lettuce sandwich ....

never really sure how the sandwich will turn out ... scary !

[chiang mai]

OP : I gotta tell you I am scared ... !! everyday I go into the mall and order a toasted fried chicken & lettuce sandwich ....

never really sure how the sandwich will turn out ... scary !

You need to change your diet Steven, all that fried chicken will make you fat.

[itsmylife]

Stay inside your home forever and get a life online ,shop online , study online , date online ,work online ,maybe you will be safe forever.

Edited August 22, 2015 by itsmylife

[itsmylife]

If you give in to terrorists, they have won.

Be aware of your surroundings, be aware of the people, know where the exits are. Other than that, live your life. Don't hide from it.

And also do look out for people leaving the bag or whatever behind and walk away return to them as soon as posible if you spot it , they will thk you very much.

[haybilly]

I think the general consensus has been aired-- the fears of my local friends who gave a warning about visiting, or rather in fact letting our teens 'hang out' in the Malls, were totally unfounded.

I think that a Moderator can now close this Topic.

[Aussieroaming]

Good question..it wouldn't be the first time a Thai shopping mall was the target of a terrorist threat and certainly malls are a soft target worldwide.

[Thailand]

Yesterday morning going to Airport Plaza on Hang Dong road there were queues of cars that were being searched.

Carried around to the left to the other entrance and it was straight in. Once inside there were some entrances where security were checking bags and others where there there was no security. TIT

[daoyai]

Perfectly safe, I visited Central Festival two days ago and Airport Plaza yesterday to do some banking, it's all business as usual and fairly crowded, folks shouldn't get too excited by it all.

While i agree we should not get excited, the fact you had an uneventful mall trip is meaningless, what would have been your advice if asked last week, "is it safe to visit Erawan shrine?" ...perfectly safe. ....anything can happen at any time, ... nothin' to do but chill and above all, stay lucky.

[chiang mai]

Perfectly safe, I visited Central Festival two days ago and Airport Plaza yesterday to do some banking, it's all business as usual and fairly crowded, folks shouldn't get too excited by it all.

While i agree we should not get excited, the fact you had an uneventful mall trip is meaningless, what would have been your advice if asked last week, "is it safe to visit Erawan shrine?" ...perfectly safe. ....anything can happen at any time, ... nothin' to do but chill and above all, stay lucky.

What a stupid thing to say, hindsight is always 100%.

[chingmai331]

good advice, 'stay lucky'. i'm off to Macau next week, and i'll keep that comment in mind. Seems terrorists are (somewhat) successful coz they are very unpredictable. Street corner, holy shrine, subway train, airplane, train station, shopping mall....... u name it. all are possible targets. so, stay lucky.

or go to where few people live.

[puck2]

Don't go into your bed, most people are dying there, my father told me once. And he added : but all people go there every night

[Sparkles]

There are soft targets everywhere.Years ago we had the New Years eve bombings in Bangkok and security was ramped up at shopping centres in a city of 10 million people then eased off as people moved onto another mindset.

Right now there would be a hundred people wandering through Worawot Market with a back pack,will it stop my wife and I going there ? no.

If you are scared to frequent places with high volume traffic stay home, there are no guarantees in life

Every country is on alert but despite vigilance these acts will continue

[sfokevin]

If the BKK bomber (who is still on the loose) were to bomb here I would stay away from the weekend walking street evenings, Thaepe Gate area and the Nemanheiman/Maya corridor...

[daoyai]

Perfectly safe, I visited Central Festival two days ago and Airport Plaza yesterday to do some banking, it's all business as usual and fairly crowded, folks shouldn't get too excited by it all.

While i agree we should not get excited, the fact you had an uneventful mall trip is meaningless, what would have been your advice if asked last week, "is it safe to visit Erawan shrine?" ...perfectly safe. ....anything can happen at any time, ... nothin' to do but chill and above all, stay lucky.

What a stupid thing to say, hindsight is always 100%.

ok, I will explain, nowhere is "perfectly safe" mean 100% my post was SIMPLY illustrating that tragedy strikes in the most mundane situations and while the probability is acceptably low, the possibility exists. I made no reference to hindsight.