Travel to Bangkok - Help

Hintza

I would probably go.

But why not talk to your tour operator and see if you can fly into Singapore and do a trip in Malaysia or Vietnam or Cambodia?

whatmichaelsays

If you take out insurance for travel AFTER the FCO has advised against travel, you may find that many policies will not provide cover for travel to that country. You need to read through the policy with a fine tooth comb.

Laz123

...I spoke to the travel agency and they informed me that if I need to cancel, I cannot get any money back as the flights are non-refundable due to it being booked online. If I need to amend the booking in terms of dates, it will cost me and additional £130 plus vat. I brought these tickets using my debit card for around £450...

The agency wasn't E Bookers was it?

I had the same problem with Kenya's civil unrest and they wouldn't refund the money, only the airport taxes. This was even after the airline, Virgin, were refunding other travellers.

Mupette

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/thailand

• We advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand due to the increasingly volatile and tense political situation. Violent incidents of an unpredictable nature are occurring in many parts of Thailand.
  
• In the early hours of 27 April, substantial numbers of troops deployed in Central Bangkok. On 26/27 April there were at least eight incidents in various parts of Thailand involving protestors setting up barricades, in some instances leading to clashes with the security forces.
• In the last week, protests and violent incidents have taken place in other parts of Thailand including popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayuthaya and other locations. See the Terrorism/Security section of this Travel Advice.
• We advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area, due to violence in the area. See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
• If you are already in Thailand, you should consider whether it is essential for you to travel within the city of Bangkok. Wherever possible, you should take transport services which do not involve transiting the centre of Bangkok. If travelling from outside Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi airport, you should be aware that all rail services and some coach services involve passing through central Bangkok (all air services and some coach services do not). There have been a number of instances of major roads being blockaded by protest groups.
• If violence breaks out near where you are staying you should stay indoors, monitor the media and regularly check FCO Travel Advice. We advise extra vigilance at night when the majority of violent incidents have occured. Leaders of protest groups have made clear threats of further violence across Thailand. You should stay in close contact with your tour operator, if you have one, who may be able to advise you on the implications of this advice for their operations.
• Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal. The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open. For advice about travelling abroad see the local Travel section. FCO advice against all but essential travel does not apply to passengers transiting Bangkok airport on their way to foreign destinations.
• There is a high threat of terrorism in Thailand. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. There have been a number of bomb and grenade explosions in Bangkok this year. See the Terrorism section of this Travel Advice.
• On 22 April, five grenaded were fired from M-79 launchers at the Skytrain (BTS) station at Sala Daeng and nearby areas, killing at least one person and injuring 75 others, including three foreign nationals. Tension continues to build in this area, which is patrolled by large numbers of armed troops. The Skytrain and the MRT (underground metro) are currently operating a restricted service.
• British Nationals should exercise extreme caution throughout the country, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, some of which have recently turned violent. In response to anti-government protests, the Thai government declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some of its surrounding provinces from 7 April 2010. This prohibits gatherings of five or more people in some areas and may restrict travel.
• British nationals requiring consular assistance should call 02 305 8333 (in Thailand). British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.
• A large number of anti-government ("Red Shirt") protestors are based at the Ratchaprasong intersection on Sukhumvit Road in central Bangkok. Many shops and businesses in the area are closed and there is severe traffic disruption at the rally site and surrounding area. Groups opposed to the Red Shirts have held counter-demonstrations close to the Red Shirt protest area. There have been several instances of violent clashes between groups of protestors. On 21 April, one foreign tourist was injured during a confrontation between protest groups in Bangkok. On 10 April violent clashes in Bangkok between anti-government (Red Shirt) protestors and security forces left 25 dead and many hundreds injured.
• There have been instances of anti-government activity outside the capital, which have caused disruption to travellers. On 25 April, there were reports of anti-government protestors blocking the Phanyothin Road, 40 km north of Bangkok. In the north-eastern city of Khon Kaen, Red Shirt protestors blockaded a military train on 21 April.
  
• We have been told that the Thailand Immigration Bureau will waive visa overstay fines, if your departure from Thailand has been delayed as a result of the Volcanic Ash Crisis, provided British nationals can present original travel documentation to immigration officials on departure.
  
• Penalties for possession, distribution or manufacture of drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.
• There have been a significant number of confirmed human cases of the A (H1N1) virus (Swine flu) in Thailand, including a number of deaths, and increased surveillance and control measures are in place. See the Health section of this Travel Advice.
  
• Around 812,000 British nationals visited Thailand in 2008 (Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand). 843 British nationals required consular assistance in Thailand in the period 01 April 2008 – 31 March 2009 for the following types of incident; deaths (288 cases): hospitalisations (198 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (202 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (774 cases). The majority of consular cases occur in Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui.
  
• We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General (Insurance) section of this Travel Advice.

Hmmm i wouldn't want to go

Heliflyguy

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

The red shirts have actually moved up north now anyway. The only part of Thailand you should not consider traveling to unless avoidable is Hatyai down south.

Just stay away from the Red shirt guys. Once the king gets involved it will all stop anyway.

Some of the red shirts wanted to go from were they were to another rally 30 miles away they didnt go far and returned.
There seems to be demonstations in Chiang Mai also.

There are some reports that the goverment will make a move on the demonstration today.
The king has already given advice and I doubt will get involved any futher.

Some airlines are offering refunds or rebooking depending on when you are flying.
OP who are you flying with, £450 is a good price my guess its via the middle east or India.

Even if you book via an agency you are still entitled to the offer the airline makes.

I would not hestitate to go but make an informed plan and avoid the demonstrations and surrounding area (if its still happening by the time you arrive), there seems to be a lot of over excited reporting about all of this.
I see above that 1 tourist was hurt on a previous occassion, more tourists die in Pattaya falling off rented scooters and balconies every week, better advice is not get drunk and hire a scooter.

foxwales

I came back from Cambodia and Thailand last week when these grenade attacks were actually happening. Unless you enter the district where the protests are, then you will see Thailand as business as usual.

Thai people are extremely friendly and will look out for you and provide you with up-to-date advice on where not to go in the city to avoid any possible trouble.

Thai protests are generally peaceful rallies, it's only when they are provoked by government forces do they respond like for like with violence, but unless your in the middle of it, you are unlikely to experience any harm.

Thailand is generally a very safe country and if you intend to travel around the country, then head south or into the more rural areas where you are likely to encounter very few protests.

Heliflyguy

chau_dog wrote: »

I spoke to the travel agency and they informed me that if I need to cancel, I cannot get any money back as the flights are non-refundable due to it being booked online. If I need to amend the booking in terms of dates, it will cost me and additional £130 plus vat. I brought these tickets using my debit card for around £450.

A little concerned you were told they are not refundable due to being booked online, never heard that one before, if they are non ref then it will be down to the fare rules.
VAT would be be included in any change made up of additional fare if any, airline change fee and probably an agency admin fee, ask them to break it down is not beyond an agency to up the actual costs for this but you shouldnt pay VAT on top.
Not that you seem able to change the dates due to work but if the airline offers a date change then you should only pay a small fee to the agency this assumes the airline is not insisting its rebooked into the same class or lower and those are not available.

Loosing £1350 would be incentive enough for me to go.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

Optimist wrote: »

The whole of Thailand is now on the recommended, do not travel unless essential list

My sons girlfriend flies to Bangkok (home) today, plus my son is following her in a few weeks time. Providing you stay away from the parliment buildings and the kings residence you will be ok.

Thailand locks down when this kind of thing happens, they keep their business within their country as far as they can. The only information that comes out is approved by the government. That is part of the reason why the FO is reccomending no travel there. they tend to cut televison programs and internet as well. All they broadcast is the Thai national flag plus the national anthem.

Edit: if you do decide to go Thailand has recently changed its alcohol laws, you cannot buy or consume alcohol between the hours of 11am and 3pm. Some places seem to thnk it only applies if you are not having a meal and will serve you, but its a risk you take on yourself.

Allot of places including some 7 - 11 shops will have cardboard up in the shop window between these times so is selling alcohol it can't be seen, but you can always pay the copper off with 200 Bhart - going rate.

DKLS

I would go back to thailand tomorrow. I wish the King could sort it out but last I heard he was ill and living in a bangkok hospital.

Try and watch a variety of news channels but avoid Fox CNN and Sky news as their reports are from the Damien Day school of journalism. Al jaseehra is good for a more balanced view.

Coopdivi

Just GO!!!

Thailand, compared to the UK, is dirt cheap so even if your tour gets cancelled you can still have a fantastic time and it won't cost you more than £500 which you would have easily ended up spending on your organised tour.

Get yourself a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet guide and get yourself down to Pha Ngan, Tao or Samui islands on the east coast Lanta, Muk or Phi Phi islands on the west coast and you'll have a wonderfull time. The railway company does inclusive tours to many of these islands.

Just don't hire a jet ski or a motorbike.

Good luck.