Do YAers in or near Bangkok have exit plans just in case?

Question

I mean do you keep in contact with your embassy? Do you have friends or places to go outside Bangkok if the need should arise? Do you have emergency supplies in case the water or lights etc.. go out?

Answer 1

I doubt it would get too bad, really.  This too shall pass.

Answer 2

I would tend to think most people will stick by Thailand in the good and the bad no matter what way the political way it swings.

I am sure we all love Thailand for the good and the bad...

Exit strategy is mainly keeping indoors and staying away from demonstrations.

We are all used to power cuts, no TV's no Internet with the weather.

Answer 3

I don't know where you are getting your information, maybe the US news service is overplaying it but no report of water or light supplies being cut off to the general public.  Only thing I heard was PAD was going to try to cut off  utilities to Government Building and I doubt now that that is going to happen.  As for the American Embassy I am on their alert program and have not gotten any e-mail from them which is strange.  As always the protest has caused transportation problems if people are traveling in those areas.  It may not be a good time to be in Bangkok as a tourist but for us who live here life goes on as normal.  Also I heard in the morning yesterday that roads going to the South, North and Northeast were blocked at a few points, but have heard nothing more about that.  What I seen on the news was only small crowd of people putting tires on the road to block it.  So maybe those traveling on south on buses may want to fly.  PAD is now being condemned by the media here in Thailand and in other countries for breaking into NBT and  attacking the news  man from C

At noon today channel 3 it seems a lot of people here have had enough of PAD.  Just hope no violence happens, PAD is doing everything it can to make the government use force.

Why are you so parodied about this. I'm here and your there.  That is yesterday news you are quoting not today's

BTW I was stationed in Laos for two years, including a coup and a coliation government.

Thank you ice cube for the Thai side of the issue.  You just support my remarks even more.day

At noon today 27 Aug just received the following alert notice from the American Embassy in Bangkok:

August 27, 2008

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of demonstrations by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) throughout Bangkok.



Police representatives indicate that early on Wednesday, August 27, there were approximately 10,000 people protesting in the Government House compound and nearby, including the Makawan Rangsan Bridge used by the PAD as the main rallying point.  Thus far, the demonstration remains non-violent. The Royal Thai Police (RTP) have deployed police to the area, while pledging not to use force.  As of this morning, only Government House and the Makawan Rangsan Bridge area still had PAD demonstrators.  On Tuesday, August 26, protesters blocked transportation in the areas surrounding these facilities, several other ministries and government buildings, as well as into and around Bangkok.  Transportations routes, including major highways, may continue to be partially or fully blocked by demonstrators as the demonstrations continue.  



We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.



For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).



American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy.  The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok.  The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at [e-mail].  The after hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000

Answer 4

I live in Bangkok, and had been through the period of real violence during Thnom-Prapat, Suchinda period, and nothing had happened to me. During one of the coup in April, papers called it April-fool coup, I drove my dad back from his office in Thonburi coming back to Bangkok and saw the clash between two sides of the army. We bailed into a Wat, but nothing much happened, just one motor-cyclist died because a shot been fired into the air and coming down hitting the poor guy.

There were three incidents reported in the television yesterday; first was a microbus operator got into a fight with PAD guys and was really got kicked in the asses many times by a bunch of people. The second was an exchange of bad words between a store owners and PAD group passing by. The last one with K. Kitti Singhapad, anchorman from channel 3, but he was only poured water at. Mostly, reporters were poured with drinking water from bottle.

I think these are stupid of PAD. Nobody stages a protest and fought with reporters in the whole history of mankind. Gandhi was using reporters to the full during his time. Samak as a politician fought with the journalists all the times, and this time because PAD attacked journalists; Samak seems to be much better in the eyes of news.

Bangkok traffic got a little worst, but if one cat dies on the street, Bangkok is jam anyway.

Answer 5

I am in the UK so I'm ok. I have just be on the phone for an hour with one of my Thai friends in BKK where she was describing the events on Thai TV this evening. Sounds kinda violent. I hope that journalist being assulted  is gonna be ok. As I understand it most of what's happening is near Parliament house (Rattankosin area, not far away is Grand Palace, Teak Mansion, Rama V monument, etc) so it might be best to keep out of that area this evening/stay in hotel room if staying in that area. Most tourists stay near Sukhumvit so that is in a different area of BKK.

I think that every expat has a right to register with their embassy. I never did when I lived in BKK, but now might to a good time to register.