Posted by
mb
18 yrs ago
We have a holiday booked to Koh Samui in 2 weeks time and read this morning that Phuket etc airport closed due to protesters. What is the probability of everything calming down in the next 2 weeks - should we start finding out about refunds - try and cancel the trip? Or carry on as planned? (Understand that my holiday plans are of small consequence when 1000's are rioting but would still appreciate your views.)
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190k
18 yrs ago
I ahve a trip planned fro November and hopefully ecverything should have calmed down by then. As for two weeks from now I think you should be OK as Koh Samui depends on the tourist $ to survive they can't mess around too much.
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the news says more than 15000 tourists are stranded this weekend.
just keep an eye on the situation, and make a decision in a week's time. ask your travel agency regarding refunds nearer the date just in case.
it could be over by then but if i were you - i would try to postpone it for at least a month.
also specially if you are travelling via bangkok as bangkok is the hot seat of the protests right now
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190k
18 yrs ago
Don't count on refunds. I was in Phuket with my son when the Tsunami hit and my wife was to join us the day after it hit. Natrually she cancelled and we had to fight for nearly a year to get 50% of the airfare back we got zip for the hotel booking.
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190k, shouldn't you just be grateful you and your son survived the Tsunami.
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190k
18 yrs ago
Of course we are but that is a different matter to this thread
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Of course go. Prices in the bars will tumble, and there'll be bargains to be had.
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I would check my embassy for travel advisories.
Also bear in mind that your travel insurance might have exclusions in case of riots.
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Ed
18 yrs ago
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/rules.asp
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In the news...
The PAD is preparing to up the pressure within the next few days. We will enact advanced measures if Samak does not resign," said PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila, one of nine protest leaders wanted on arrest warrants.
As supporters prepared to bed down for a sixth night at the make-shift camp, another spokesman got on stage and threatened to call on unions to cut water supplies to government offices if their demands were not met.
Protests spread outside Bangkok for the first time on Friday, with demonstrators blockading airports serving beach resorts in Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi. A strike by railway workers halted a quarter of all services.
All three airports have since reopened, but a group calling itself the PAD Southern Alliance has threatened to surround seven airports in the south if Samak declares emergency rule.
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After living in Thailand over the last few years (when the last coup was being staged) and speaking to friends in Bangkok I would say that this one will not last much longer.
You should be fine over in Koh Samui. Samui is a smaller Island and what some people are doing in Bangkok is a loooong way from what is happening in Samui 95% of the time.
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I'm toying with the idea of a visit next weekend. The Cathay flights were all booked up but they're now available again....
The key thing for me will be whether the bars are open and able to serve beer! We visited during last year's election and were most dismayed to find that the only way we could get a drink was via room service. Does anyone know if the government have restricted this sort of thing?
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Am just back from Phuket.
Phuket airport empty, but operating. No tourists were able to arrive last weekend, so no tourists departing. No queues, nothing. (Weird when it's quiet).
Everything else normal: bars open and prices down. It's low season but the weather was glorious. Best August ever.
Main problem last weekend was the unavailability of information.......even the Thais didn't know what was happening. Everyone was taken by surprise that Phuket was involved......normally nothing affects it, but, this time, Phuket airport was closed and Bangkok remained open! Problem is that the closure was effective, so maybe worth a repeat. Even Thai airways supported the protesters and allowed their staff to join in!!!!!!!!! You might as well go, as long as you keep abreast of any news, ( 90.5 FM) and give yourself an extra day to get back, just in case they throw a late surprise.
BTW, the bars are always closed during election times, so that the Thais are not too drunk to vote.
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I had a small work/recognition event set up for Phuket next week. I think we'll wait to see how the situation shakes out, but does anyone have any ideas for an alternate destination for work/play in the region? I was thinking Vietnam, but the visa issue might not work time-wise....Any ideas?
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bali?
sentosa or bintan in singapore
disney? ocean park?
cebu
malaysia - kota kinabalu or penang
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Even earthquakes have aftershocks. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't. It's just not worth the risk. Refunding your ticket might be a problem, but re-routing it won't be as much of a hassle. You have valid reason anyway so I'm sure your agent will consider.
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Have just spent 3 days in BKK and am now in Chiang Mai, and can honestly say that in neither place I've seen no physical eveidence of any trouble. I avaoided Parliment House, and the other areas where the 'trouble' seems to be happening - but it's very confined and out in the city itself theres life is going as usual.
Of course I'm watching the news and keeping my ear to the ground for info, but so far it has had zero impact on my time here. I personally think it's all a lot of chest beating, and it should affect your plans at all.
Of course, if the situation changes, and gets 'serious' then maybe reconsider... but right now, I'd say you'd be mad to change your plans.
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Im hoping to go in three weeks, wondering if I will see any discounted airfares as a result of the problems..
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We are leaving tomorrow, I am six months pregnant and have absolutely no fears about going to Koh Samui. We're on a direct flight and I've been in Thailand when there is trouble before, as long as you avoid trouble spots in Bkk or far south you'll have a splendid time. I can log on while we ar there and update you but we have 25 friends meeting us there from HK next week and not one is cancelling.
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i was right in the middle of 2 "revolutions" we had in Moscow in early 90-ies - tanks, Eltsin on top of the tank, the works - you get the picture. The place i worked in was just bang on next to Red square and I tell you - it is NEVER as bag as they show it on TV. I went to work past the tanks every day - was all done and dusted in a week - was just fine! While now i have kids and would probably stay away from BKK for a week or so - i would not think twice about going to Phuket or Koh Samui - go, you will be fine!
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we just came back from phuket and were there when the protesters hit the airport. all i can say is it was business (read sunbathing, drinking cocktails and general lazing around) as usual!!! i was pretty bummed actually when they re-opened the airport on the day we were due to fly back. bummer!
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