Thailand & recent events - FCO advises against all but essential travel to Thailand

Mr_Lahey

I am going to the Far East at the end of June and had firstly planned to use Bangkok as a hub for places like Vietnam, Burma etc.. I had also planned to travel a bit of Thailand across a few weeks.

The news today says that the UK government advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok, whereas the US and Aus government advise against all travel to Thailand.

Does anyone know where my travel insurance would stand on this, firstly if i went and secondly if i wanted to cancel?

I have an annual policy with my Barclaycard, not sure if it changes anything but the Thai protests have been going on for 6 weeks, although the FCO have only advised against travel recently. I bought most of my flights within the last 6 weeks.

Thanks

DKLS

Not sure on the insurance aspect, I was out there about a month ago, when the protests were starting, initially it was very peaceful but even then the Foreign office were stating not to go, but sadly it seem to be taking a turn for the worse.
I would add that Bangkok is a huge city and it wouldnt be hard to avoid the red shirts.

I would contact your insurance company and have a look on some of the expat forums.

Mr_Lahey

DKLS wrote: »

Not sure on the insurance aspect, I was out there about a month ago, when the protests were starting, initially it was very peaceful but even then the Foreign office were stating not to go, but sadly it seem to be taking a turn for the worse.
I would add that Bangkok is a huge city and it wouldnt be hard to avoid the red shirts.

I would contact your insurance company and have a look on some of the expat forums.

I know it would make most sense to contact the insurance company but i would rather only do that as a last resort. Simply because they will probably tell me not to go and once they have said that all options are out and it will be noted on my account.

In terms of Bangkok itself i had only planned to use the airport, train station and visit Hua Hin beach.

DKLS

I suppose its all down to your own levels of risk perception, whilst I was there I received frantic emails from American relatives pleading with me not to leave the hotel as it was so dangerous.

When I found Fox news channel on the hotel I could understand why, scare mongering journalism as its very worst.

Myself and my new wife stomped all over Bangkok without any trouble at all, I have some cracking photos of some very friendly red shirt protesters I met. But it would seem that things have taken a turn for the worst, but whether that Red shirts or the Govt tinkering who knows.

If your plans are just a quick visit to BKK before heading off, you should be absolutely fine as usual with any trip pack a huge dose of common sense, Internal flights are very cheap, We paid £40 each to fly from Chang Mai to BKK.

spiro

The FO are not only advising to only transit through Bangkok, they are advised of extreme caution throughout the country.

I think the question is 'will I enjoy the holiday or will I be worried about what may happen'. If the answer is the latter, speak to your insurance about the options around cancelling or replanning. If it is the former do phone them but stick to the FO guidelines i.e. avoid crowds outside Bangkok etc. Also check the FO status immediately before you leave incase it changes which may invalidate your insurance.

nico26

My neighbour is there just now. Parts of the city are a no go . The business district seems to be getting the brunt of it just now. Hotels like Four Seasons Sheraton Grand Hyatt are not taking bookings just now as they are in the affected area. They have barrackades at the GH .Other parts of the city are not really affected.

He's there on business but not in the affected part and he is moving about freely. In fact he says its great getting about just now because its not so busy.

Today they have set of explosives in the train station and other explosives have been thrown near those hotels.At present they are saying the yellow are gathering as well. It is escalating just now after a few days of peace. I think it will come to a head well before June. The worst problem being if they take over the airport again.

I would hang in there for a week and see the situation . If you still feel unhappy I would approach my travel agent and see if I could change to somewhere else if the FO still advising against travel.

I'm off to Phucket next week and hoped to grab a few days there on return but decided just to fly back home to Kuala Lumpur.. CNN are covering it every half hour so if you can get it you can keep abreast of it there.

Mr_Lahey

It's a tricky one and thanks for all the replies.

I am faced with having to second guess what might or might not happen. Moving my hub to KL is going to costs so much more and mean much more in terms of travel etc..

Is Indonesia a good replacement for Thailand, or what about the Phillipines?

DKLS

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

It's a tricky one and thanks for all the replies.

I am faced with having to second guess what might or might not happen. Moving my hub to KL is going to costs so much more and mean much more in terms of travel etc..

Is Indonesia a good replacement for Thailand, or what about the Phillipines?

It is tricky, especially as BKK is such a great hub for that region. I would keep an eye out for different news channels, and avoid fox news at all costs to see if you can find any balanced reports. I'd reccomend Aljazeera Uk news.

I know when I lived in Israel and in particular the Gaza strip for a few months, I remember ringing home and telling my mother where I was, she burst into tears and said they were killing each other on the news, and had the classic moment of looking around the phone box and seeing people go about their business and crickets chirruping.

What ever you do good luck and keep safe.

Incapuppy

I could be making this up but something is telling me that I have read somewhere that if you specifically ignore FCO advice against travelling to a particular area/country (depending on the situation) then this invalidates your insurance. Whether this was 'blanket policy' or insurance policy specific I can't remember.

Mr_Lahey

Incapuppy wrote: »

I could be making this up but something is telling me that I have read somewhere that if you specifically ignore FCO advice against travelling to a particular area/country (depending on the situation) then this invalidates your insurance. Whether this was 'blanket policy' or insurance policy specific I can't remember.

This is what i was thinking.

Heliflyguy

I have just heard that one airline flying indirectly to BKK will offer full refund or rebook (no change fee but higher fare if cant get the same class) up to the 15th June or re-route to any served destination (again with higher fare if different but no change fee) for any booking to BKK for travel booked up to the 31st May.
You may soon get some options from the airline you are booked with Mr Lahey although I see now you are travelling in June it might be better to hold on for a while before making any decisions.
You could always go into Thailand via Singapore to Phuket.