Thaksin rally

We're booked to be in Bangkok 25 -28 Feb, and I read that there may be some unrest then - rallies in support of Thaksin. Would we be in danger? Should we not visit tourist sights then? Would be grateful for insights into the situation... thanks!

n the 26th the courts are likely to announce that they will seize all of Taksin's assets.

Rumours are flying about all over as to the significance of this.
It has been said that Mr T has smuggled case-loads of cash into the country to finance any demos etc.

A high-ranking military officer recently declared there was "no need" for a coup.

It would seem that around this time is the most likely to spark off any trouble. Mr T may see this as a further chance to de-stabilise the already shaky coalition govt.

What actually happens is anyone's guess. - Bang or whimper it is hard to predict.

It IS a significant point in Thai politics and a test of the current government - just how significant remains to be seen.

A bit worrying to be a tourist there, then? Thanks for your explanation of the situation...

In the past, any problems concerning violence are contained within a very small area - so the norm would be that you'd be blissfully unaware of any trouble going on.

There has been a lot of sabre-rattling by both sides, but again that is not so unusual - I think a prediction would be foolhardy though. I think a lot will depend on how many people see this a a "last chance" scenario.

From a personal point of view, I live in the bkk hinterland and would not go into town that day because of traffic disruption possible unrest etc.

From a personal point of view, I live in the bkk hinterland and would not go into town that day because of traffic disruption possible unrest etc.

Run for the hills!

Well, certainly not the best time to head to Thailand. But I live here in Bangkok, and at least at this point I'm not particularly worried. As a tourist, if you can rearrange your schedule, then do so. But if not, you will probably be fine.

Thanks for the comments, very helpful! If we stayed and relaxed in our hotel that'd be nice too, night markets should be safe....

Well, certainly 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. Thailand as a whole though, I really wouldn't worry too much.

Good comments by KhunWilko above.

If you do rearrange your schedule then I would rearrange it to do sightseeing in Bangkok at a different time.

You could be greatly inconvenienced. Even if there is no violence or it is well contained there could be disruption to transportation. The army already has 50 checkpoints set up around Bangkok in preparation and if it gets ugly they will probably close many roads.

People have been warned to stay away from government buildings around the 26th. Personally, I will avoid going downtown altogether. My advice,for what it's worth, would be be to book into some place in the burbs or near the airport, from.where there are buses which travel all over the country and transport away from the capital shouldn't be affected.. At the moment the government is concerned about large sums of money heading for the redshirts via casinos in Cambodia so that, if you experience any problems with wire transfers etc,. this could be the reason.

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.

Don't buy into what the papers are saying too much, Vinlyn ... the government want a convenient excuse to invoke that securities act, allowing them to stick the army on the streets when the ruling is announced, without looking provocative to neutrals or in the eyes of the international community. Its all precautionary - they want a large presence so that any possible trouble is supressed very quickly. There is no way they are going to allow this one to get out of hand.

According to the news this morning they are saying that there will be a 'strong' millitary presence in most main towns and cities.

Possibly that indicates that troublemakers may well be thinking now that BKK will be too hot for them and are targeting elsewhere??

Possibly that indicates that troublemakers may well be thinking now that BKK will be too hot for them and are targeting elsewhere??

bleaky, so, who do you think fired off the RPG last night at the university and planted the C4 package at the court house in Bangkok?

Maybe "they" will take over the Phuket Airport like they did a few years ago?

Oops, that was the PAD (cum Yellow Shirts)...now the ruling junta!

Indeed, but the military presence is nowhere near as high as yet as it will be.

I aso disagree with the consensus that this will just be a BKK problem - and even more - just limited to the Dusit area. The PM will call Martial Law at the first sign of trouble. That is why he's moving his chess pieces into place already.

I reckon this isn't going be a good time to be in Thailand period. Anywhere.

I'd toyed wth the idea of going to Chanthaburi for a few days but friends there have told me nowt down. Protests are planned all over. What shape they will take is anyone's guess. If the ruling goes badly, count on disrptions and mayhem.
If (when) they take Thaksin's assets, the Red Shirts are going to see it as a further attempt to wipe their leader out and won't just go home and lick their wounds.

This is the flashpoint coming up. The possible climax to all of the recent political unrest. As Wilko said 'it could be a whimper or a bang'...I fear a bang.

I reckon this isn't going be a good time to be in Thailand period. Anywhere.

Yes, I agree. A lot of Thai people are fed up with the lack of any real solutions to the current situations (e.g., the red-yellow stand-off, the south, the economy, etc.). And, the news of government greed, graft and corruption just keeps coming on almost a daily basis.

There was a picture today of the "big guy" peeking out of his hospital window at the New Year's celebrations.

For the "powers that be," the "powers that were," and the "powers that wanna be" -- the stakes are definitely ratcheted up tight at the moment!

Farty: you will be safe in the arms of the tittie women in Nana or Cowboy.

Sam, why do you assume I disagree with you ("Don't buy into what the papers are saying too much, Vinlyn ... the government want a convenient excuse to invoke that securities act, allowing them to stick the army on the streets when the ruling is announced, without looking provocative to neutrals or in the eyes of the international community. Its all precautionary - they want a large presence so that any possible trouble is supressed very quickly. There is no way they are going to allow this one to get out of hand.")? All I said was that it wasn't THE BEST TIME to come to Thailand. Again, I didn't say not to come.

But I also don't blame the papers. I operate most often on one general maxim: Plan for the worst, hope for the best...reality will be somewhere in between.
Do I think there will be a civil war (as some do)? No.
Do I think there will be massive rioting? No.
Do I think there will be coup? Probably not.
Do I think there will be isolated significant problems? Yes.
Do I think it will all pass completely peacefully? No.

We are now entering the phase where people can make their predictions - wild or otherwise - and then after the date either ignore they own stupidity or revel in the glory of "I told you so" - in fact the situation is wide open and no amount of speculation will help.

Dick, I'll be 'indoors' for a few days either side for sure.

Mainwaring, thats the point. Would you rather be safe than sorry?

Speculation that you may or may not be caught up in a nation's worst political crisis in it's 'modern' political history? is not much use.

I'd say err on the side of caution and keep away.

It's OK for the likes of you and I who know the place and speak the lingo, but to a newcomer it could well be a terrifying experience.

terrifying experience? yep like finding out the LB in LBFM stands for laydee bhoy

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Foreign-Tourists-Urged-Stay-Bang-t339767.html

Here's the TV thread on it.......

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(see if you can spot my contribution!!!)