Welcome to Hotel Thailand

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by G3N3R4L

she doesn't look that scared!

Do you have a date on that photo? I notice the paper mentions Thaksin, whereas currently it's his replacement that's under siege from the P.A.D.

[AGROculture]

^That picture is from the coup in 2006. You won't be seeing strippers on the tanks or tourists posing with the soldiers this time as it made media headlines back then as making the army look like a joke

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

It's not doom and gloom for them, a major inconvience though.

Immediate evacuation isn't nessesary, but it will have to occur if the problem isn't remedied soon.

Why? I belive if you choose to travel to a different country you have to take a certain amount of risk. What if it wasn't a major protest but rather an airport strike. Then should our government come rescue them? It's still a major inconvienance.

What if there was a tour group of 100 people in the countryside and there was a flood blocking access to the only road out of town. Should they be rescued then?

Where would our government draw the line? How many millions would we spend rescuing people around the world?

If you travel to an unstable country, you must accept some sort of risk. Carry enough funds for an emergency like this and have a back up plan. 1000's of Canadians are stranded yet I know that for the most part any of them can get home if they really had to. Hop on the train at 6pm at Huamlomphong Sation at 6pm, have dinner, go to sleep wake up in the morning just in time to arrive in KL. From there it's a cheap flight to catch your connecting flight home, typically Taipei, Tokyo or Seoul.

We must understand that the tourists are in no danger whatsoever. This is not Lebanon when Israel was bombing it. Even today in Mumbai there is very little danger except for maybe a freak terriorist attack that could happen anywhere in India.

I feel bad for the elderly who are running out of medication. Thai pharmacies are of international standards so hopefully they can get what they need and be glad they're not in Cambodia. Someone shouldn't be travelling if there are too many potential risks!

[mojo]

^overnight train from Bangkok to KL? no dice man.

ps:these situations are what make travel exciting!

[AGROculture]

^Why not?

scroll down about 2/3rds of the way or push "control F" search word Malaysia
it's really easy

Train travel in Thailand | Train times & fares from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Phuket, Nong Kai etc.

edit....oops you're right. I know what you mean now.....ok maybe two nights. But still super easy and you can hop on and off in cities along the way

Originally Posted by AGROculture

^That picture is from the coup in 2006. You won't be seeing strippers on the tanks or tourists posing with the soldiers this time as it made media headlines back then as making the army look like a joke




Why? I belive if you choose to travel to a different country you have to take a certain amount of risk. What if it wasn't a major protest but rather an airport strike. Then should our government come rescue them? It's still a major inconvienance.

What if there was a tour group of 100 people in the countryside and there was a flood blocking access to the only road out of town. Should they be rescued then?

Where would our government draw the line? How many millions would we spend rescuing people around the world?

If you travel to an unstable country, you must accept some sort of risk. Carry enough funds for an emergency like this and have a back up plan. 1000's of Canadians are stranded yet I know that for the most part any of them can get home if they really had to. Hop on the train at 6pm at Huamlomphong Sation at 6pm, have dinner, go to sleep wake up in the morning just in time to arrive in KL. From there it's a cheap flight to catch your connecting flight home, typically Taipei, Tokyo or Seoul.

We must understand that the tourists are in no danger whatsoever. This is not Lebanon when Israel was bombing it. Even today in Mumbai there is very little danger except for maybe a freak terriorist attack that could happen anywhere in India.

I feel bad for the elderly who are running out of medication. Thai pharmacies are of international standards so hopefully they can get what they need and be glad they're not in Cambodia. Someone shouldn't be travelling if there are too many potential risks!

I have to agree, travelers have to take responsibility and research the country they plan to travel to. The Canadian passport web site updates constantly the latest political and extreme emergency cases for each country and give each one a level of danger or caution.

This is why a lot of people in Thailand arnt covered by insurance because there was a warning of political issues dating back 6 months ago.

On top of that, all travelers should carry enough in their savings funds in case of emergancies. Not to mention bring a back up suply of med, either in case they get lost or if your stuck in a country longer than you expect.

People often mock me for being such a prepared/paranoid traveler. But I wouldn't worry if I was stuck in a situation like that. It might cost a lot and take me longer to get home, but like Dave said, Id take a train to the nearest international airport and buy a one way ticket home.

I think the Canadian government should only jump in when it comes to extreme cases in matters of life, death, or captured. For example, if your human rights are being taken away or something like the tsunami hits. But again there is only so much your country can do in an other country. Thats why the embassy is there to help.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by AGROculture

^Why not?

scroll down about 2/3rds of the way or push "control F" search word Malaysia
it's really easy

Train travel in Thailand | Train times & fares from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ko Samui, Phuket, Nong Kai etc.

edit....oops you're right. I know what you mean now.....ok maybe two nights. But still super easy and you can hop on and off in cities along the way

ya. the trains in Thai are great, but nowhere as speedy as road transport.

[Akeel]

made it home.

wish i was still there.

was a fun journey out...hell i'd still be there if i didnt have to come back to work :(

I was at don mueng when the protestors showed up too - good times, nice folk :)

[brit]

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Government action like last week that led to 49 people being injured by hand grenades maybe...?

Or the car bombs that went off earlier this month injuring 71...

Saying, "whatever, everything's business as usual," displays a level of ignorance to world politics that's just staggering.

How's your foot tasting?

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by brit

How's your foot tasting?

Uh... I think I the point that I made of nobody can predict how long this is going to last, and saying 100% for sure that this would finish in less then three months is silly.

Saying you can predict how a country is going to react 100% for sure is pretty much the height of stupidity.

[brit]

You said 49 people were killed by grenade attacks, you were wrong.

You tried to insult my knowledge of world politics by citing a situation in southern Thailand that had nothing to do with PAD demonstrations in Bangkok.

Yeah, that is pretty much a foot in mouth situation for you no matter how you try and spin it.

[NinjaBoy]

Originally Posted by brit

You said 49 people were killed by grenade attacks, you were wrong.


Yeah, that is pretty much a foot in mouth situation for you no matter how you try and spin it.

No... this is:

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

Government action like last week that led to 49 people being injured by hand grenades maybe...?

[brit]

[sNyx]

I remember talking with my Thai friends (20-25 years old) recalling the last government flip and how scary it was to have tanks driving down the street to implement the power of the army.

protesters closing one of the biggest airports in the world isn't just a slap it's an uppercut and yes it's right scary. I can only imagine what would go through the minds of tourists caught in such a situation.

consider in the last few months the country has began to strike in key business sectors. debated war with close countries and had bombs dropped in common public areas. even now the government is imposing levels of serious visa reform.

I remember the Tibet/Olympic protests when I was in Bangkok and not only did the news inforce forgieners from staying far away from the protest zones but my Thai friends triple checked around before even allowing me to meet them in tourist areas like KSR becuase of the severity of the dispute.

Thai's are very passionate about their country. Good for them, it's a great corner of the world. You however don't underestimate the sivarity of a national uproar.

Originally Posted by Revolver

i wouldn't mind being in thailand right now.

it would be very exciting and the ops for killer photographs would be insane

exciting? amazing? Hunter S wouldn't even piddle in a Thai national power struggle. smarten up.

Originally Posted by brit

If I was desperate to leave Thailand I would hop on a bus or train to Kuala Lumpar, they cant be that worried if they arent willing to do that.

Crazy times erupt crazy emotion. I'm sure you heard of the 20 tourists who were left stranded on the side of the highway? Yeah after their bus was robbed of all it's luggage as they slept on route from Chang Mai to BKK. A war zone is bigger then a few guns. everyone is effected.

Originally Posted by ebbomega

I'm not saying that people should be afraid, I'm just saying that you shouldn't be surprised that they are.

I agree. As I said I wouldn't much leave my house outside a beer/cig run. Worried would be second to being catiuous.

[sNyx]

ps- Travel Updates - Consular Affairs

[P.A.R.T.Y]

I would add that the cost of staying in hotels is relatively cheap, but anyone on a budget will definitely be feeling the pinch. Thai custom is to jack the prices when demand is high. The hotels must be making a killing.

[Grapes]

I think a lot of the hotels let their guests come back and stay for free during the crisis.

Their economy (90% tourism based) is already in enough trouble due to this unrest. The last thing they want to do is piss off the tourists further.

[Revolver]

Originally Posted by My!es

exciting? amazing? Hunter S wouldn't even piddle in a Thai national power struggle. smarten up.
.

as one who has been caught in the middle of extremely violent c.a.f.t.a protests, nearly killed while being draged into a angry bolivian labour mob, harassed at gunpoint by amazon river policia(pirates), and missed the '05 ELN oil pipeline bombings in southern columbia by a day i can say you are completely right...

and i LOL'd

[.Promoter]

Originally Posted by brit

You said 49 people were killed by grenade attacks, you were wrong.

You tried to insult my knowledge of world politics by citing a situation in southern Thailand that had nothing to do with PAD demonstrations in Bangkok.

Yeah, that is pretty much a foot in mouth situation for you no matter how you try and spin it.

I must point out though that his name is ninja boy, which makes him more knowledgeable then us on asian things by default. Theres just nothing we can do about it :(

[ebbomega]

OBV ^l