Is Thailand safe?

biggles69 · #1 13th September 2008, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggles69

I now think Samak will go by the end of the week.....meanwhile back here in Jomtien the sun is shining and the boys are as cute as ever.......

Well it took 2 weeks.... but Samak has gone...and it really looks like the PPP is crumbling. A farang friend of mine who lives in BKK (with Thai friends in high places) was quietly told to stock up with food and plan to stay home this week...... so we may see the final act soon ! Anywaythe state of emergency has been cancelled as business is now suffering ... and Thais know they have to be all smiles again for the looming high season. ... and (despite the stats) I still feel safer walking here at night than Kansas in daylight !!

(Bangkok Post)
"The government will lift the state of emergency in Bangkok on Sunday after just 12 days in effect.
The decision was made at a Saturday night meeting between acting prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Army cief Gen Anupong Paojinda.
They agreed the state of emergency was merely damaging the country, and the political situation was under control."

silomGWM · #2 14th September 2008, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggles69

They agreed the state of emergency was merely damaging the country, and the political situation was under control.

Believe that and you'll believe anything! It won't bring the tourists back.

Taoboxer · #3 16th September 2008, 12:49 AM

Some relatives and I just came back from Hatyai and everything seemed okay. We did see people being bussed off to BKK to take part in the protests (they were handed hard hats as they got on the bus, I was told) but apart from that, it was business as usual.

On the day we took a van in, there were 10 big buses and 15 vans (each seating 12 people) from Malaysia at the border. It was a long weekend in Malaysia but on the day we came out, there were 2 big buses and six vans, so it seems as if normally cautious Malaysians aren't too worried about going into LOS for their regular shopping expeditions.

icon513 · #4 16th September 2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taoboxer

We did see people being bussed off to BKK to take part in the protests (they were handed hard hats as they got on the bus, I was told) but apart from that, it was business as usual.

Sounds like someone was pulling your leg.

Taoboxer · #5 16th September 2008, 08:45 AM

Well, I did see lots of people in yellow T-shirts being bussed off. There was a non-stop line of buses pulling up at the hotel where I was having lunch. The passengers that got on didn't seem to be holidaymakers. For one thing, they all seemed prety hyped up.

The one thing I was told and did actually see was that everything would be conducted without violence. Even the airport and train station blockages at Hatyai were quiet affairs - not much shouting or anything like that, just a few people efficiently organizing groups to do various things.

So, yeah, I'd say Thailand is safe.