Thaksin rally

Or better yet, take a connecting flight somewhere. I don't see the fun of staying in a Bangkok suburb.. (I know, I've done it.. ;) )

We are booked to stay in the Royal President - is that in the "hot" zone?

Yeah, I lived in a Bangkok 'burb for a year. All the grime of Bangkok without the fun stuff.

We are booked to stay in the Royal President - is that in the "hot" zone?

Not really no, it's off lower Sukhumvit, very much a business and shopping district. Of course, when traffic in one part of Bangkok grinds to a halt, then gridlock tends to spread. On the positive side you're close to the Skytrain.

But then again, a lot of the main sights in Bangkok ARE near government institutions. A primary focal point in just about any era of political turmoil (the democracy monument) is basically around the corner from Khao San and the Grand Palace. So if you can plan to do Bangkok at a different date then you reduce the risk of getting stuck in traffic somewhere.

The Army have just rolled up here in Bang Plee and set up a checkpoint already!!

The coppers are seething!

You always live your life by 'what ifs?', Addy? ...Don't be such a bedwetter, man...

Everyone knows hes getting his dosh taken off him. The checkpoints are a precaution, the coup talk nonsense stirred up by that clown at the Bangkok Post. UDD have stressed they have no desire to make this a 'last stand' and their leaders have really distanced themselves from those that are suggesting otherwise.

Avoid the areas other posters have mentioned and you, like the majority of people living in the city, will be pretty much oblivious to it. Travel disruption and delays are the only things to consider if you are in and around the old town area. Sukhumwit area will have no issues what so ever - they gonna hold their protest outside Robinson's? Target those thirsty farang outside the Dubliner?

Thanks everyone, for your comments, I was a bit worried because my husband and I are taking my aged dad for a holiday, so safety is an issue, but we can easily distract ourselves with shopping and eating, and leave the sightseeing for another time. Thanks again!

Chanchao said to my comment that it's "not the best time to head to Thailand": "I wouldn't say that. Not the best time to head to particular areas in Bangkok, and even there the main concern is serious traffic congestion...If you do rearrange your schedule then I would rearrange it to do sightseeing in Bangkok at a different time."

You can't quite make up your mind, can you? First you "wouldn't say that," but then you say, "If you do rearrange your schedule then I would rearrange it to do sightseeing in Bangkok at a different time." All I said was that it's not the best time to be heading here. I didn't say to stay away. I didn't say it's a horrible time to come.

Keep in mind the following from this morning's newspapers: "A grenade near Government House and a bomb sitting near the Supreme Court is ratcheting up the mental strain before the court's decision on Thaksin's wealth", and "A source from the Special Branch Police said intelligence officials had learnt that eight more bomb attacks would be carried out around Bangkok, including at the Royal Plaza, the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall, Victory Monument and Democracy monument. The attacks were expected before the end of next week. The source said the Police Special Branch had deployed intelligence officials to monitor groups suspected of planning the attacks."

Having said that, I'm going on a photo-walk in Bangkok this afternoon. But I still say it's not the best time to be visiting Bangkok.

You can't quite make up your mind, can you?

The point I was trying to make is that this is as good a time as any to head to Thailand. However, I am suggesting to reschedule any Bangkok sightseeing time. (i.e. do other parts of Thailand during that time)

But I still say it's not the best time to be visiting Bangkok.

And I would completely agree with that. Just saying that Thailand != Bangkok.

Royal President is very nice and I have often stayed there. You can't go wrong.