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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-25-2011, 04:52 PM
There’s already been skirmishes with Cambodia this week, and elections are upcoming in July. I couldn’t go to Thailand when I was in Asia last spring cause of the Redshirts, but I’m thinking of going from May-June this year.
However, not only do I not want to get into the middle of an uprising, but I don’t want to go if shit is all going to be closed, and I don’t want to get stuck there if the airport get shut down.
Anyone close to the ground there have an idea of what’s up, and anyone been there during the middle of one of their uprisings?
If Thailand doesn’t work out, my backup plan is Mediterranean Europe.
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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-25-2011, 06:46 PM
Last summer unnless you hung around a certain block in BKK you likely wouldn't have even seen any trouble. It wasn't actually all that dangerous, no violence was directed towards civilians. I know the airport was locked down for a short while, that would have been the only reason anyone couldn't visit.
Cambodia and Thailand have border skirmishes all the time and nothing comes of it. Doesn't affect any tourists and is never anywhere apart fromt the dispusted temple / border region.
Just go it isn't likely to be a problem, worst case scenario they lock the airport down and you have to spend an extra few days in paradise. Nightmare!
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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-25-2011, 07:45 PM
Gringo is right on. I also have friends who live full time in BKK and when the last red shirt protest took place last year, he said that it was reserved to just one part of town and the rest of town was just business as usual. However, there were some curfews installed all around in bars/clubs which had to shut down earlier than normal. That might affect the closing time of some entertainment venues, but other than that, as long as you dont wander in the troublesome areas, there's nothing to worry.
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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-26-2011, 06:34 PM
This appears to be a fearmongering thread. Unless you have first-hand information that it's dangerous for tourists, why are you trying to scare guys from traveling to Thailand?
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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-27-2011, 10:46 AM
Thailand is perfectly safe. I was there last year during the protest and I may be there in August for about 3 days. Unless you go to the Cambodia border i.e. a visa renewal (if you've been in the country that long) there is no threat. You should go and enjoy the experience.
Try to plan your travel at the same time as the full moon party in Koh Samui, you'll have the time of your life!
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Tension in Thailand This Summer?
04-27-2011, 03:58 PM
You can still go to Cambodia for a visa run you just have to avoid one particular border crossing. The Full Moon party is in Koh Phangan not Samui and I think many people on this forum would probably not enjoy it tbh. Full of backpackers and rowdy Brits / Aussies getting stupid drunk and puking up everywhere.