On information available at time of my posting would you recommend travel to BKK.I have a transit ticket and have kept my 4 day reservation.

I think CFS would have a different view from media and government warnings perhaps.

A suggestion has been made to me that Sukhumvit Soi 13 region may be able to be accessed.

Also what is the airport taxi situation ?

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I note that on April 12 someone posted within this thread this, "My Thai contacts in BKK are confident that the demos are running out of steam (and probably money.)" So much for predicting a revolution!

I'm sure our friends in Bangkok can offer very informed opinion, but for this worldly traveler (and I've been around!), I would NOT venture to Thailand right now unless it was essential for work or family. Certainly not to have fun! Instead, rent "The Year of Living Dangerously" and see for yourself what a revolution looks like in an Asian country.

For starters, the locals don't need to have to tend to the needs of outsiders right now. It appears that the stability of the nation is at risk. The Thai are so welcoming and I assume they'd be that way even now, but one doesn't always want to take advantage of hospitality just because custom dictates it.

I also have heard numerous comments from media and others that it would soon be over, the government will put it down, etc. Civil unrest just doesn't get turned off like a faucet. And to put this down will likely require far more bloodshed before it is over. And even when it is put down, what will be left could be a repressive regime doing all sorts of things to locals. Not exactly an atmosphere to enjoy yourself.

Let these people figure out how they want to be governed and then you can visit and share your hard earned money when they, too, can enjoy your company. It isn't safe, there are curfews in place, often sex joints come under greater scrutiny when the military gets worked up, and what if it really gets out of hand and you have to leave? Can you afford the cost of emergency evacuation?

Just my thoughts.

Keith

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Appreciate your considered response.I recall this Peter Weir/Mel Gibson drama too.

Any other opinions gladly weighed up.My no-cancel hotel ticket deal has been waived so I may do an Air Asia sojourn before moving on to my destination.

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In answer to Sextile my departure is May 29.

BTW Sextile re your coverage.Magnificent.

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-- The latest news, both verbal and from a US. Embassy warden in PATTAYA, (via > The Baht Stop <], is that the curfew will be from 2O.oo.-O6.oo.hrs. until monday - 24O6oo.hrs. for those provinces presently under Security Regulations currently in force.

-- As for arriving in the LoS. later this month I'd advise waiting and seeing wch. way the wind will be blowing.

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-- I forgot to include that y'day. evening, when I was standing o'side. the on-fire CENTRALWORLD I was amused in a wry fashion to see an official CW. advert. wch. read:

IT'S SUMMER.
TURN-UP THE HEAT ... .

- Fulfilled, but not in the manner intended.

-- Today, 2O113O.hrs. I walked to the DUSIT THANI I'sect. and noted the progress made by the BMA. in its cleaning-up ops. of the red shirts' former encampment by the KRVI. statue. Mech. eqpt. was in use, some twenty X 5cu.yd. lorries were in attendance to take-away the rubbish.
- However, about 100yds. along R'damri. rd. the mil'y. had set-up a barrier prohibiting farther progress from those not on essential duties. I met Jock. from Inverness, (of 'The Ball of Kirriemuir.' fame.), and we watched some stout figure dressed in full media panoply being stopped and told to turn-back by an armed soldier, despite the former waving some ID. Card and expostulating at the top of his not inconsiderable voice.
-- On Si Lom rd. the large & corner 7/11. was OPEN as were A&F. TOURS and SABAI THAI MASSAGE; both NOODI & BALLY'S SILOM had their street doors OPEN for airing-out purposes.
-- K-WHY MASSSAGE, BBB INN & DICK'S. CAFE. were OPEN, as was the FAMILY MART by Soi T'light..
- METHAWEE MASSAGE was OPEN - one customer inside receiving a foot-massage - also LISA'S MASSAGE, the 7/11., the corner Pharmacy and INDRA MASSAGE.

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- [u] Two different sources [/ U] have advised me that here in BKK., And elsewhere, there'll be night-time curfews from 21.*-06.oo.hrs. until 2406.oo.hrs..
*- Doubtless this is to discourage looters - thus the mil'y. might be a trifle trigger-happy during those hours?
-* Note corr'n. to this time of starting: 21.oo.hrs.; "Happy sleeping!".

- The Thai gov't., ever solicitous for the well-being of its nationals and visitors - many of whom have been suffering during these recent & traumatic times - has proclaimed a period of National Holidays until the end of this week-end. .

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1.- I don't see why not; but when are you proposing to travel? I might suppose that after next monday - 24th. - life might be returning, albeit slowly, to Cent'l. BKK.. However, I believe that last night the mil'y. imposed a curfew WEF. 2O.oo.hrs., one hopes that that's just a temp'y. measure and will be lifted soon.
2.- I'm sure that it does!
3.- That's out in BTS. Nana, (E3.], dir'n., isn't it? Should be safe enough, I'd think. But I suppose that life farther out towards R'hankhaeng. continues much as usual: plenty of massage parlors, saunas etc. etc. in that dir'n.!
4.- Sorry, don't know; although I've seen some Airport Express 'buses. running.

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