Visiting Thailand

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Pic title: longtail on the beach
(Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beneteau/1558605/)

There was a coup last week in Thailand that has left many people confused about whether they can or should travel to Thailand.

1) Rest assured, it’s still safe! This coup is bloodless and almost a bureaucratic affair. There is no violence and no civil unrest. Except for the holiday granted the day after the coup, nothing really has changed that much!

2) Flights are unaffected. Flights are all operating on the same schedules. Note though that there is a new airport opening in Bangkok the week of 28 September, so be aware your flight details might be changing! See this link for more info.

3) Things might be even cheaper! Due to some kneejerk reactions (especially in Australian press) there have been a lot of cancellations throughout Thailand, including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Check out the usuals like priceline.com, Orbitz and others to see whether rates have dropped.

Digg this!

Over the past several years there has been a good deal of political unrest in Bangkok, including a coup and a number of serious protests in Bangkok and at the city’s international airports.

Currently supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra may be planning mass protests in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand on Friday, February 26th, 2010.  The protests are pending the outcome of a Thai supreme court decision as to whether or not part of Mr. Thaksin’s $2.3 billion in assets, which were frozen after a 2006 coup that removed him from office, will be confiscated.  If the court decides to confiscate the funds, supporters of Mr. Thaksin could stage protests in Bangkok and other areas. The court will announce its decision at 1pm on February 26th, 2010.

20,000 police and troops in Bangkok and other areas of Thailand are on alert in the event that the protests go forward. If you plan to visit Thailand, make sure to keep informed about the situation and avoid protest areas if demonstrations take place.

Mr. Thaksin’s supporters have also planned what they claim will be a peaceful Million Man March in Bangkok on March 14, 2010. It is advisable to avoid the areas where the march will pass through in case there is any unexpected violence.

If you are planning on visiting Thailand in the near term, make sure to check your country’s Thai embassy website for full updates on travel advisory warnings for visiting Thailand.