Chaos in Thailand

Over the last week, PAD demonstrators have taken over the two main airports in Bangkok (see this online paper for more info: The Nation). Subsequently, more than 1/4 million passengers have been stranded, either stuck at the airports, in near-by hotels, or on random buses and trains to various other small airports to be flown, maybe, out to other large Asian cities. Put simply, the city is in a mess. The country is on edge, tense, and the possibility of a coup looms large on the horizon. Today, a bomb exploded at Don Mueng, killing one person. Luckily, hopefully, December 5th is the King's birthday - I hope that he makes a special plea to PAD to get the hell out of the airports and let normal routine continue. Let Thailand salvage some of the tourist industry for this year. Most countries are issuing travel warnings.

Any normal person would think twice about traveling in such a climate - political instability in the capital, Muslim-Buddhist unreset in the southern regions, and flooding along the eastern coast.

Nope, not me! I've had a number of people ask if I'm worried or if I'm considering cancelling. Other than "no way", my other response is that it actually makes traveling more interesting. In Bangkok, it's fine - there is no random violence, certainly none directed at tourists, and it's more of a "wrong place, wrong time" scenario. Don't go looking for trouble and you'll be fine. Stay away from the political buildings in town and it's not a problem. Provided the protests at the airports are ended and the planes start flying again, it's all good. Thailand has to deal with their political problems and we can't sit here and complain that their issues are ruining our holidays, which I have seen and read way too much in the news, mainly by Brits and Americans.

So no, nothing is going to deter me or scare me off from returning to Thailand in January. Yes, it could be more interesting than last year in terms of ease of travel, but hey! Could be fun! As for getting "stuck" in Thailand, like other tourists are complaining of - oh darn! Such a hard life! Grab an extra towel and head to the beaches. I would be happy to be stuck in Thailand - it's not like your employer could fault you for not being at work!!