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

blackaqua

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.

Do you think this only includes the specific country in question? For instance if you are travelling through that country for x days your insurance is void once you leave the affected region (obviously you are not covered while still there).

I think direct travel have a clause there you are only responsible for claims arising directly from civil unrest. I'm trying to get a straight answer from insure and go at the moment.

nico26

I think the main problem now is that the multi coloured shirts are supposed to be getting rallied now . The red shirts have fortified their barracades.and they stopped the trains for a time yesterday. The PM is afraid of a civil war starting. So things might really escalate now.

Anyway I'm off to Phucket tomorrow for 5 days so just hoping it stays peaceful there.

Incapuppy

blackaqua wrote: »

Do you think this only includes the specific country in question? For instance if you are travelling through that country for x days your insurance is void once you leave the affected region (obviously you are not covered while still there).

I think direct travel have a clause there you are only responsible for claims arising directly from civil unrest. I'm trying to get a straight answer from insure and go at the moment.

Sorry, I really don't know, I would urge individuals to check directly with their insurers to obtain correct advice.

SirSpike

from what i've seen outside the area of Silom and Ratchaprasong, it's life as usual in Bangkok

tara747

I'm going to Thailand (inc Bangkok) in a few months, not worried yet as I was there previously when there was unrest (but not on this scale). Will be keeping an eye on the situation though!!!!!

fifeken

nico26 wrote: »

Anyway I'm off to Phucket tomorrow for 5 days so just hoping it stays peaceful there.

But if you have an accident that is nothing to do with the unrest in BKK, will your insurance use the FCO advice as a get out to refuse any claim?

Mr_Lahey

*update*

The FCO now advises against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand, not just Bangkok.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=22124693

adam10easywishes

Good luck Mr Lahey!

On a side note to this - myself, my partner and another couple are booked up on flights to Bangkok at the start of next month.

We're trying to work out what's best to do but obviously with the FCO recommending not to travel, we have to seriously consider cancelling.

With regard a refund on flights - where does that leave us? Does anyone have any experience in this regard? They were booked on a credit card if that helps at all.

Thanks in advance! (And sorry to hijack your thread Lahey!

:beer:

withabix

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, however:

If you have a package holiday or flights booked to a destination which the FCO advises 'against all but essential travel to', you have a legal right to cancellation and full refund of all monies paid, providing you have booked with a UK company.

You are likely to find that the company you have booked with actually contacts you about this, because they will start flying the planes out empty just to bring people back.

Insurance shouldn't come in to it.

nico26

adam10easywishes wrote: »

Good luck Mr Lahey!

On a side note to this - myself, my partner and another couple are booked up on flights to Bangkok at the start of next month.

We're trying to work out what's best to do but obviously with the FCO recommending not to travel, we have to seriously consider cancelling.

With regard a refund on flights - where does that leave us? Does anyone have any experience in this regard? They were booked on a credit card if that helps at all.

Thanks in advance! (And sorry to hijack your thread Lahey!

:beer:

It will all depend on your airline. They might only let you change the dates.
If you are travelling Malaysian Airlines.the following applies.

While Malaysia Airlines' flights from KLIA to and from Bangkok are operating on schedule despite the current situation in the Thai capital, Malaysia Airlines is pleased to announce that customers are given the option to change their traveling dates to Bangkok.

Customers may change their travel dates to any other dates convenient to them, up to 31 May 2010.

Customers holding special fare tickets with terms and conditions which normally do not allow for any change of dates, can now do so without any extra cost. However, due to the strict terms and conditions of the tickets, a fee will be charged for any subsequent changes. Refunds for these low fare tickets will not be applicable.

Customers holding normal tickets which allow for change of travel dates may do so without extra cost. They may also opt for refunds, subject to a refund administrative fee.

The only queston is if they would change a UK leg to Kl but under the circumstances they might honour that side as well.