Would you go to Thailand
Discussion
I'm meant to be going to Thailand in two weeks for a 5 month contract, first week in Bangkok, then the rest of the time in Chaiyaphum province in the north east.
Obviously it's a bit interesting in BKK at the moment, and a lot of the protesters are from the region I'll be working in. Was there last November and missed the airport closure by about a week.
I'm not that worried about it really, buy my girlfriend is a bit nervous. Anyone there at the moment or spent much time in Thailand and have any thoughts on the wisdom of going there for work in the near future?
My main concern is that the currency will be f
ked and I won't earn a dime working there. Not that money is my main motive really, but it would be nice to come out at a profit rather than a loss!
ETA: Couldn't find the Moving to Countries About to Descend into Chaos forum.
Obviously it's a bit interesting in BKK at the moment, and a lot of the protesters are from the region I'll be working in. Was there last November and missed the airport closure by about a week.
I'm not that worried about it really, buy my girlfriend is a bit nervous. Anyone there at the moment or spent much time in Thailand and have any thoughts on the wisdom of going there for work in the near future?
My main concern is that the currency will be f
ked and I won't earn a dime working there. Not that money is my main motive really, but it would be nice to come out at a profit rather than a loss!ETA: Couldn't find the Moving to Countries About to Descend into Chaos forum.
Edited by AJS- on Monday 13th April 22:33
Andy M is from Thailand I believe and he doesn't want to go at the moment http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Make of that what you will.
Make of that what you will.
I'd go without a second thought.
I would imagine the worst that can happen to you (as Farang) would be either stuck in the airport or diverted to another airport.
I was in Chonburi Province (about 30 mins. from BKK centre) during the 2006 coup. You wouldn't even know anything was "untoward".
I was talking to a friend in Thailand today and she said everything was/is business as usual.
I know of about half a dozen (UK and US) people there at the minute and they are wtnessing nothing untoward and say there is nothing to fear.
It would be very rare for a non-Thai national to get caught up in any violence (other than as an "eye witness" trapped in the airport) and you really would have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go.
Edited to add: But be prepared for it to be bloody hot.
I would imagine the worst that can happen to you (as Farang) would be either stuck in the airport or diverted to another airport.
I was in Chonburi Province (about 30 mins. from BKK centre) during the 2006 coup. You wouldn't even know anything was "untoward".
I was talking to a friend in Thailand today and she said everything was/is business as usual.
I know of about half a dozen (UK and US) people there at the minute and they are wtnessing nothing untoward and say there is nothing to fear.
It would be very rare for a non-Thai national to get caught up in any violence (other than as an "eye witness" trapped in the airport) and you really would have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go.
Edited to add: But be prepared for it to be bloody hot.
Edited by Nolar Dog on Monday 13th April 22:47
Nolar Dog said:
I'd go without a second thought.
I would imagine the worst that can happen to you (as Farang) would be either stuck in the airport or diverted to another airport.
I was in Chonburi Province (about 30 mins. from BKK centre) during the 2006 coup. You wouldn't even know anything was "untoward".
I was talking to a friend in Thailand today and she said everything was/is business as usual.
I know of about half a dozen (UK and US) people there at the minute and they are wtnessing nothing untoward and say there is nothing to fear.
It would be very rare for a non-Thai national to get caught up in any violence (other than as an "eye witness" trapped in the airport) and you really would have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go.
Edited to add: But be prepared for it to be bloody hot.
On the news before was loads of soldiers shooting at a bus that was driving down a street knocking telephone and power masts down...I would imagine the worst that can happen to you (as Farang) would be either stuck in the airport or diverted to another airport.
I was in Chonburi Province (about 30 mins. from BKK centre) during the 2006 coup. You wouldn't even know anything was "untoward".
I was talking to a friend in Thailand today and she said everything was/is business as usual.
I know of about half a dozen (UK and US) people there at the minute and they are wtnessing nothing untoward and say there is nothing to fear.
It would be very rare for a non-Thai national to get caught up in any violence (other than as an "eye witness" trapped in the airport) and you really would have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Go.
Edited to add: But be prepared for it to be bloody hot.
Edited by Nolar Dog on Monday 13th April 22:47
davy9449 said:
What's the worst that can happen? Dress up as a tranny if you're worried and you'll go largely un-noticed!!!
Haha, I'm 5'11 with a red face and a beer belly. I'd stand out in rural Thailand even if I took invisible pills, never mind dressing as a woman. Appealing as that may be.
I have been to countries where there was civil rioting and worse on a number of occasions with no problems.
1) It tends to be very, very localised. So just stay away from that locality.
2) If you don't look like someone from either side of the spat then they just leave you alone. I had this in an African coup. Not being black they ignored me.
3) The vast majority of the population will be getting on with their daily lives. Just mingle with them.
4) Most foreign governments go a long way out of their way to keep people from rich western countries alive. I have had armed guards, even when I didn't think there was a problem.
5) FCO guidelines are very conservative. I have ignored repeatedly and experienced zero problems. Told a senior FCO guy so as well.
Real problem countries are Nigeria, pakistan and Afghanistan. In these three a random nastiness can happen anywhere any time.
1) It tends to be very, very localised. So just stay away from that locality.
2) If you don't look like someone from either side of the spat then they just leave you alone. I had this in an African coup. Not being black they ignored me.
3) The vast majority of the population will be getting on with their daily lives. Just mingle with them.
4) Most foreign governments go a long way out of their way to keep people from rich western countries alive. I have had armed guards, even when I didn't think there was a problem.
5) FCO guidelines are very conservative. I have ignored repeatedly and experienced zero problems. Told a senior FCO guy so as well.
Real problem countries are Nigeria, pakistan and Afghanistan. In these three a random nastiness can happen anywhere any time.
Got back to Oz on the 5th after spending two weeks there.
The public ralleys & disobedience were beginning in Phuket and Bangkok when I was there, what you see on the news is a very small group of hot headed trouble makers amongst the thousands of peaceful protesters.
They certainly went out of their way to stop the regional conference as this was a guaranteed way to embarrass the unelected govt.
I would go back tomorrow and will go back in about 12 months.
When we got there on 14/3 the exchange rate was 22.7 BHT to the Oz$ and on the day we left 4/4 it was 24.6, no idea where it is at the moment.
The public ralleys & disobedience were beginning in Phuket and Bangkok when I was there, what you see on the news is a very small group of hot headed trouble makers amongst the thousands of peaceful protesters.
They certainly went out of their way to stop the regional conference as this was a guaranteed way to embarrass the unelected govt.
I would go back tomorrow and will go back in about 12 months.
When we got there on 14/3 the exchange rate was 22.7 BHT to the Oz$ and on the day we left 4/4 it was 24.6, no idea where it is at the moment.
The Thai's protests are (generally) peacefull, given that they are a mostly Budhist country.
They are also well aware of the revenue that tourists bring to the country so are unlikely to cause ferengs any more trouble than a bit of a delay at an airport.
As long as you keep an eye on where the protests are centered, and keep well away (and perhaps not pack any red T Shirts) you should be fine.
I know plenty of people still travelling up and down to Thailand with no serious issues other than the odd delay.
They are also well aware of the revenue that tourists bring to the country so are unlikely to cause ferengs any more trouble than a bit of a delay at an airport.
As long as you keep an eye on where the protests are centered, and keep well away (and perhaps not pack any red T Shirts) you should be fine.
I know plenty of people still travelling up and down to Thailand with no serious issues other than the odd delay.
Rode back from Puket to Kuala Lumpur on my Bike yesterday no trouble, (outside Banknok). I'd go back no problem at all. Over the years I've been in Tokio when there were studen protest, riots in Kartoum, and the worst I was in South Sudan when John Gerang died, so seen a few trouble spots . The answer is be aware, don't pass comment, don't get involved, and you will be OK.
Me and the missus are there now, albeit not in BKK. The general feeling from new arrivals here is that it would be fair to say that things are getting worse, in terms of frequency of trouble, but it's very localised. But outside of BKK, if you didn't read the news, then you would have no idea there was anything amiss. Anyway, you're farang you'll be fine. Just don't wear a red shirt. Or a yellow one. Or a blue one, whoever the frig they are.
Happy songkran
Lots of good stuff here http://www.examiner.com/x-5225-Southeast-Asia-Trav...
Happy songkran
Lots of good stuff here http://www.examiner.com/x-5225-Southeast-Asia-Trav...
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