FO issues Bangkok travel warning

**Doggsy** · 13-04-2009, 03:53 AM

The Foreign Office has warned Britons against travelling to Bangkok after violence and rioting erupted in the Thai capital.
Soldiers and tanks appeared in the city after the Thai authorities declared a state of emergency - a day after protests stopped a major Asian summit.
The FCO urged anyone considering a trip to the capital or its surrounding areas to "urgently review their plans".
It estimates that 40,000 British nationals live in Thailand.
Advice on the FCO website read: "In view of the deteriorating security situation anyone considering going to Bangkok should urgently review their plans.
Stay indoors
"British residents in, and visitors to, Bangkok are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place and to stay indoors as far as possible."
It said there were 15 staff members on duty to deal with the situation at the embassy, but no British tourists had reported any incidents so far.
Protesters have blocked a number of busy road junctions and at least one railway, and taken buses and two armoured vehicles.
The prime minister has threatened "tough measures" to end the protests.
But the army has so far not moved against the crowds. Hospitals have been asked to prepare for casualties in case they do.

BBC NEWS | UK | FO issues Bangkok travel warning

Cue all the cancellations of holidays and flights.

**EmperorTud** · 13-04-2009, 04:20 AM

Standard procedure when a country's government fails to adequately control the population and it results in the kinds of incidents we witnessed yesterday.

An example of proper crowd control we witnessed just last week in London for the G20. Protests were generally peaceful but if it looked like getting out of hand Police went in and physically controlled most of the disturbances. Didn't look too pretty on the TV but it was effective and the authorities never looked like losing control. Arrests were made but nothing OTT given the severity of the situation.

Now that's how you do it. Thailand take note.

**Doggsy** · 13-04-2009, 04:22 AM

although it did result in a death, public condemnation and an inquiry costing tax payers thousands.

still like you say it got it sorted, and there were mucher bigger fish there than the leaders of ASEAN

**EmperorTud** · 13-04-2009, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by Doggsy

although it did result in a death, public condemnation and an inquiry costing tax payers thousands.

Hey, nobody's perfect.

The G20 summit went ahead which is more than can be said for the ASEAN.

**Doggsy** · 13-04-2009, 04:33 AM

lol yeah i guess, means to an end!

**paul8558** · 13-04-2009, 04:52 AM

so should i pack my riot gear or not for my trip on the 11th may??? ;-)

**Loy Toy** · 13-04-2009, 05:23 AM

^ Don't take things too seriously mate and just make sure you bring the necessities mainly being common sense.

**hillbilly** · 13-04-2009, 05:32 AM

This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bangkok that Prime Minister Abhisit has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas following demonstrations by protestors from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or “red-shirts’). This declaration follows demonstrations of anti-government redshirts in Bangkok protesting the arrest of one of their leaders. The state of emergency empowers the government to restrict gatherings of more than five persons and to prohibit and/or block communications. Media reports gunfire at the Ministry of Interior and demonstrations at Government House, Parliament, and the Central World/Siam Paragon Shopping Malls.

Warden Message: Thai PM Declares State of Emergency in Bangkok and Surrounding Areas - U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand

**Propagator** · 13-04-2009, 05:34 AM

Gotta agree with that LT, I am due in in the 7th. At least they have not said not to go to Thailand, otherwise insurance could be a problem.

**Loy Toy** · 13-04-2009, 05:51 AM

Yes Props if you keep your head down and don't go too the problem areas you wouldn't even know there was a problem.

Certainly Thai surburban life will not change apart from those trying to make their violent statement 100's of kms away from where they come from.

**hillbilly** · 13-04-2009, 05:52 AM

I will be in Thailand on June 1st come hell or high water.

**EmperorTud** · 13-04-2009, 05:53 AM

Thailand has imposed a state of emergency in its capital, Bangkok, and surrounding areas.
Britons have been warned against travelling to Bangkok after violence and rioting erupted in the Thai capital.
The government declared a state of emergency, ordering soldiers and armoured vehicles on to the streets.
But red-shirted anti-government protesters went unchecked, with angry mobs roaming parts of the capital, some commandeering public buses to barricade major intersections.
Dozens of men furiously smashed cars thought to be carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as he fled the interior ministry after making the emergency decree. They used poles, a ladder and even flower pots to smash the cars as nearby police in riot gear stood by doing nothing.
The state of emergency came a day after the protesters forced the cancellation of a 16-nation Asian summit. In an embarrassment for the government, hundreds of demonstrators stormed the summit venue with leaders being evacuated by helicopter.
The Foreign Office urged anyone considering a trip to the capital or its surrounding areas to "urgently review their plans".
British ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle told Sky News: "As the situation is so volatile we are advising British travellers thinking of coming to Bangkok to urgently review their travel plans.
"British residents and visitors to Bangkok are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place and to stay indoors as far as possible."
The state of emergency is supposed to ban gatherings of more than five people and forbid reporting that is considered threatening to public order.
Demonstrators say the prime minister's four-month-old government took power illegitimately. They believe the military, judiciary and other unelected officials are undermining democracy by interfering in politics.

Britons urged to review Thailand travel - AOL News

The crackdown has apparently started so let's wait to see what happens in the few days.

**EmperorTud** · 13-04-2009, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Yes Props if you keep your head down and don't go too the problem areas you wouldn't even know there was a problem.

Certainly Thai surburban life will not change apart from those trying to make their violent statement 100's of kms away from where they come from.

Problem is it could easily escalate or visitors could accidentally get caught up in violence that will shift from place to place as the Army tries to take back control.

Shooting now in many areas of Bangkok.

Remarkable, incredible even, that none of the main Thai TV channels are covering events as they unfold.

**EmperorTud** · 13-04-2009, 06:03 AM

Bottom line it is damn irresponsible to recommend anyone to travel here until we see just how severe this is going to become.

Fighting now between red-shirts and Army in several areas of Bangkok including Din Daeng and Victory Monument. Gunfire exchanged.

**Loy Toy** · 13-04-2009, 06:08 AM

Of course if there are violent battles going on in Bangkok including bloodshed it would be wise to keep as far away from the trouble as possible.

Discretion must be used and when you travel anywhere particularly if there is the making of a possible civil war.

In fact I am watching the news at the moment and it seems that the army are making arrests and also carrying wounded people on stretches so things don't look like they are improving.

**Doggsy** · 13-04-2009, 07:41 PM

I am hoping that it brings the price of flights down for my trip in july and that the baht weakens against the pound so that I have more spending money. Surely a situation like this should make the baht loase value against other currencies, surely this is worse than the banks in britain not giving as much credit as they used to.

Saying that I am not trying to belittle the troubles for my own personal greed, i think we are at a crossroads at the moment with a little bit of fire and trouble started. It could fizzle out now they realise the army will act or it could turn into an embarrassing bloodshed and set Thailand back a good few years in the eyes of the developed world

**venturalaw** · 13-04-2009, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

^ Don't take things too seriously mate and just make sure you bring the necessities mainly being common sense.

Common sense, gas mask, bulletproof vest - the necessities.

**Doggsy** · 13-04-2009, 07:50 PM

^ or to blend in with the masses, balaclava, big stick, big stone, homemade petrol bomb. Then you can pass easily through the trouble areas

**venturalaw** · 13-04-2009, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Yes Props if you keep your head down and don't go too the problem areas you wouldn't even know there was a problem.

Certainly Thai surburban life will not change apart from those trying to make their violent statement 100's of kms away from where they come from.

Problem is it could easily escalate or visitors could accidentally get caught up in violence that will shift from place to place as the Army tries to take back control.

Shooting now in many areas of Bangkok.

Remarkable, incredible even, that none of the main Thai TV channels are covering events as they unfold.

Any word on the status of roads in and out of BKK? There were reports of roads being blocked. Is that still the situation?

**caller** · 13-04-2009, 07:58 PM

I think the advice for Brits has changed?

British citizens are warned not to travel to Bangkok unless their visit is absolutely essential and to review their travel plans to other parts of Thailand. British residents in Bangkok and other cities affected by the violence are advised to stay indoors and to monitor the media and this travel advice.

Does this impact on insurance if travelling to Bkk, as in, you won't be covered - not sure about that and could be wrong?

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/thailand?ta=all

**Propagator** · 13-04-2009, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by caller

Does this impact on insurance if travelling to Bkk, as in, you won't be covered - not sure about that and could be wrong?

Fairly sure that it does as the as the FO has now said NOT to travel to Bangkok. Unfortunately most of the Insurance have an obscure get out buried in the small print, that political unrest is not covered. Got caught on that in the Nov/Dec airport seizures.

Unless you are on a 'package tour' whereas the tour operator is bound to offer you and alternative then you are in trouble. I booked my flight independantly and if I want to cancel will lose all the money. Luckily I bought a higher flight booking class where I can change the dates, but it is still going to cost a £100 quid for that. So unless full civil war breaks out I am travelling on the 6th May.

**plorf** · 13-04-2009, 11:08 PM

^ Well I guess we should by then have seen where this is leading. Can't imagine this going on for much longer, Abhisit seems determinded to break up the demonstrations.

**Texpat** · 13-04-2009, 11:15 PM

Tough luck props.

Your timing is crap.

Good luck gettin in and out this time.

**friscofrankie** · 14-04-2009, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Bottom line it is damn irresponsible to recommend anyone to travel here until we see just how severe this is going to become.

My first impression on this statement was to give you a bit of stick for over-reacting. I took a moment's pause to think; no matter how much I want my daughter and grand-daughter to come for a visit, I would tell them to hold.

If you are here, it's not so bad. If you are out of the thick of things, it's hardly noticeable (I live about 5 - 600 meters from the Gov't offices here in CM and it really hasn't affected me, except that day I went into town and the reds were marching; took some maneuvering to get down to the bar ).

Arriving at The airport using public transport to get into town gong through who knows what to get there, yeah, folks might want to reconsider coming to Thailand right now. If you're already here? I don't see leaving. I sure wouldn't want to end of in the thick of things especially after 20 hours of flight and airports.

Originally Posted by EmperorTud

Remarkable, incredible even, that none of the main Thai TV channels are covering events as they unfold.

Dunno, I am not riveted to the TV but as I passed through the living room where the ol' lady is riveted; I saw rioters torching buses, Army boys firing into the crowd. Was told they were rubber bullets. Always thought rubber bullets were fired from smooth-bore shotguns, the ones I've had shot into crowds I was in were, looked like small-caliber automatic rifles to me, but I was just passing by, maybe technology's changed. Point being, seems like the skirmishes are being covered, covered better than riots back in US ever were from what I can see.

Question for some of you older Brits; when the US was having riots across the nation in the late sixties and unarmed citizens were being killed by cops and militia, with bombs gong off in public places, did the Foreign Office issue travel warnings for the US then?

Rioting in the streets, Molotov cocktails, armed military personnel patrolling the streets; these are not things to be taken lightly. But are the current demonstrations/riots really all that earth-shaking? I suppose it's OK to stand and pontificate how the military should "put this down" and support gestapo like tactics.

This country is coming to grips with some major changes, Taksin/Abhist be damned, they are nothing more than symptoms. Changing from feudal "lords and serfs" mentality is tough, for the lords and the serfs, what the fuck is "democracy" anyway?

Red-shirts, yellow-shirts, blue-shirts, the unshirted masses are sitting at home watching this unfold and they being shocked into some kind of opinion, maybe they are being shocked into actually giving a fuck one way or the other. Civil disruption, property damage, mayhem and death aren't nice things; but if this, and the last, act of gross civil disobedience can begin to shock Mr & Mrs Somchai into thinking beyond their next plate of SomTam, maybe this shit is just what the country needs. I get frustrated with the shit I see going on. Fuck it, I think we all can come up with an impassionate solution. I see this whole thing as a positive, long-term.

Doesn't matter if Taksin wants to take over and fill his pockets or if the power-elite want to continue filling their pockets. Eventually this shit will have to be dealt with in a realistic manner. As more and more people are paying attention to what unfolds, communications enables folk to see what is happening and hear what is being said. More people will take an active interest. This power struggle may just end up getting neither party what they want. This power-struggle may just help the Thai to get what they need. Thirty years is a short time in the life of a nation. I think the current situation is just a demonstation of growing pains. Maybe some good will come of it.

Still; I'm glad I'm in a tiny moobaan 100's of kilometers away from Bangkok. And I'll be fine waiting till after my grand-daughter's first birthday to meet her. I wouldn't ask anyone to fly into, or out of, Bangkok right now. Apologies for the rant.

watterinja · 14-04-2009, 12:15 AM

This country is coming to grips with some major changes, Taksin/Abhist be damned, they are nothing more than symptoms. Changing from feudal "lords and serfs" mentality is tough, for the lords and the serfs, what the fuck is "democracy" anyway?

An excellent piece, FF. I particularly the section above. That, for me, captures the sense of the moment.

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