Thailand holiday dilema

cadmus

our daughter and boyfriend have booked and paid for a holiday to thailand just after xmas but with the awful double murder of two brits has really scared them and we too do not want them going there either .
daughter BF tried to cancel yesterday but the travel agent said that they have had no warnings from the bangkok government regarding the safety of brits on holiday there.
the agent basically said if they wanted to cancel they would forfeit 60% of the £1000 they have spent on the flights as it was paid 57 days ago.... surely because of the horrendous murders of those two poor brits this is a genuine reason to cancel and get a FULL refund .
they both really dont want to go there now but cannot afford to lose 60% and feel pressurised into going to an unsafe place and is there anything daughter /boyfriend can do to get a full refund .
any advice would be most appreciated

NiftyDigits

You do know that what your writing is ridiculous, don't you?

So if there is a pub fight in Nottingham and someone is killed, all tourism to the UK should halt??

Tell them to at least try to not be so ridiculous and to go and enjoy the trip.

If they don't, they'll be in danger from me, slapping some sense into them.

When they are balming in the sunny weather, whilst their peers are freezing their bits off, they'll be wondering quite what they were thinking today.

As to you....it's only your advancing years that prevents me from rapping my knuckles on your head. What are you thinking?!!

elsien

First off, Thailand is a big place - just because there was a one off incident in one bit doesn't make the whole country dangerous. Thailand is one of the safer feeling places I have visited, as far as the locals are concerned. Then again I didn't go to full moon parties where everyone was off their heads.
Secondly, after an incident is a pretty good time to go as the police are on high alert.
Thirdly, it's looking possible that it was another backpacker who killed them. Are they planning to avoid anywhere that has tourists visiting? That probably rules out most of the UK as well.
Fourthly, they'll only be able to claim on insurance if the foreign office advice it's unsafe. Which they are unlikely to do.
Take the same precautions that you would take when partying anywhere and they'll be fine. The usual rules about keeping an eye on drinks, and being careful at night. Probably safer than a lot of high streets on a Saturday night.

jonesMUFCforever

If the government warns people NOT to travel to Thailand then you have a case - either the holiday is cancelled and monies returned or you claim off the travel insurance.


Others have posted what I think - You can be attacked or worse in any part of the world at anytime - If you thought Spain was safe have a look at some late night satellite channels programme about Costa del Sol. It won't stop me going there - I hope some time to go back to New York - you know what happened there.


All you can do is to drill into them to act safe - go out together do not go off the main tourist areas alone etc etc.

cadmus

elsien wrote: »

First off, Thailand is a big place - just because there was a one off incident in one bit doesn't make the whole country dangerous. Thailand is one of the safer feeling places I have visited, as far as the locals are concerned. Then again I didn't go to full moon parties where everyone was off their heads.
Secondly, after an incident is a pretty good time to go as the police are on high alert.
Thirdly, it's looking possible that it was another backpacker who killed them. Are they planning to avoid anywhere that has tourists visiting? That probably rules out most of the UK as well.
Fourthly, they'll only be able to claim on insurance if the foreign office advice it's unsafe. Which they are unlikely to do.
Take the same precautions that you would take when partying anywhere and they'll be fine. The usual rules about keeping an eye on drinks, and being careful at night. Probably safer than a lot of high streets on a Saturday night.

thank-you "elsien" for your very helpful and reassuring reply

McKneff

If you can relay to them that you have been reassured then they will pick up on that.,


My daughter and new son in law went last year for their honeymoon and they had a fantastic time.
Wonderful memories and pictures to prove it.


Hope they have a lovely time....

cadmus

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

If the government warns people NOT to travel to Thailand then you have a case - either the holiday is cancelled and monies returned or you claim off the travel insurance.


Others have posted what I think - You can be attacked or worse in any part of the world at anytime - If you thought Spain was safe have a look at some late night satellite channels programme about Costa del Sol. It won't stop me going there - I hope some time to go back to New York - you know what happened there.


All you can do is to drill into them to act safe - go out together do not go off the main tourist areas alone etc etc.

sound advice and thank-you "jonesMUFCforever"

cadmus

McKneff wrote: »

If you can relay to them that you have been reassured then they will pick up on that.,


My daughter and new son in law went last year for their honeymoon and they had a fantastic time.
Wonderful memories and pictures to prove it.


Hope they have a lovely time....

thankyou "McKneff" for your nice reply . i will get get our daughter and boyfriend to read through these mostly kind and reassuring comments from you all . THANK-YOU

NiftyDigits

cadmus

I have to tell you that you are showing poor character, by emphasising that you are thanking particular members.
In fact, you are acting like a big baby. Which possibly explains the reason for this thread.
Thailand has a similar population to the UK and it is much bigger. Again...what are you thinking?
In fact I will be there at that time and if I see the boyfriend, I will rap my knuckles on his head and ask him what he was thinking.
You don't like my reassurances?

cadmus

ComebackGirl wrote: »

I understand how nervous you feel but try to remember that the fact this story has made the news shows how safe Thailand generally is.

As long as your daughter and her boyfriend take the usual precautions they should be safe.

Hope they enjoy their trip.

thankyou "comebackgirl" for another reassuring reply .

atolaas

My Dad goes over to Thailand multiple times in the year and has done for the last 5 years or so (spending my inheritance )...sun, sea and really good golf, not what you thought I was going to say, I bet ..he loves it and is planning to retire there, he's got a flat in preparation. Of course, there are risks in Thailand - there are where ever you travel. Sadly any incidents like the recent murders are picked up by the media and made out to be an everyday event in Thailand, rather than a rare exception. Your daughter won't get her money back as Thailand hasn't been declared as an unsafe place to travel. She should go on her holiday and enjoy herself. As previous posters have said its a big place...lots to see and do