Trip to Thailand approaching...getting nervous about the riots.
Was supposed to be spending about 6-7 days overall in/around Bangkok at the beginning of July. Any thoughts? Hostel is already booked u see and really not up for changing my itinerary on a small risk I may get caught up in crossfire? Life is about taking risks no?
Reply to this By July everything may be okay or the whole country may be in a civil war - no one know right now. So far, some areas of Bangkok are still okay but that could also change quickly.
You could bypass Bangkok and spend a few days in Pattaya which is easy to get to by bus or taxi. Hotels will probably be the same price as your hostel unless you are in a dorm. No dorms in Pattaya but you can get a hotel for 500 baht that has air, hot water, private toilet, TV and maid service pretty easy. Transportation is only 10 baht. Maybe not as interesting as Bangkok but it is easier on your money. All you can eat breakfast buffet starting at 110 baht. (Lek Hotel and Apex Hotel are two of the places that are open to walk-ins.)
Local travel agents can sign you up for tours if you want. Local transportation is only 10 baht. Lots of modern malls, street vendors, good restaurants and nightlife you can take in or avoid. More and more family groups, couples and even single foreign women are visiting Pattaya each year.
Some of the things you can do:
The beach is okay for sunbathing, malls, shopping with street vendors, movie theaters, restaurants and nightlife but not as good as Phuket for swimming. Choose a hotel on or near Pattaya 2nd Road to make it easier to walk to many places or get the cheap baht bus rides.
Thai Visa Forum is a Thailand only expats forum which has been keeping up to date on Bangkok protests. They will send you emails on "breaking news" if you sign up.
Good luck.
Reply to this Well I guess you now by now that the protests are long over and the city is pretty much back to normal. Even during the protests tourists still showed up by the thousands, some stayed in Bangkok but in areas away from the protests. Others just headed out to other cities.
Everything back to normal for Thailand. Low season has some very good prices for hotels. Some cheaper hotels are around the same price as a hostel except you don't have to share a toilet and shower with 50 other people!
Good luck.
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