Canadian Consul (and others) have issued travel advisory for travellers to avoid Thailand. What is the reality?
We are about to visit Thailand end of March and are unable to get travel health insurance because Canadian Govt has tagged Thailand as a dangerous place. Any travellers currently in Thailand that can report the reality. Is it safe in Bangkok? Is it safe in Chaing Mai - trekking, elephant tours etc.
Thanks!!
Reply to this I have been in bangkok for the last week and have been all over the city and it is fine. Busy but fine when i first got to thailand there was a ton of military police at the airport but i have not seen or heard anything, i was at the canadian consulate there other day and they did not say anything. I got travel insurance before i left canada about 3 weeks ago... strange. I am heading up to chiand mai in the next week so i cant tell you about that.... hope you dont let the warnings stop you from coming.
Hope this helps a little bit
Reply to this I am an American and have been a volunteer teacher in Thailand for the past 4 months and I feel it is quite safe in the areas you are asking about. The Canadian Govt. most likely tagged Thailand as dangerous for two reasons: 1) The terrorists in the southern region of the country. With the exception of the islands, I would avoid traveling to southern mainland Thailand. 2) On New Years Eve, a few bombs went off in Bangkok and 4 tourists died (I know that at least one was a Canadian). Usually, Bangkok is a pretty safe city for a metropolis, besides pickpockets. I have gone to Bangkok around 10 times since I have been here without incident. Chiang Mai on the other hand is a very safe and peaceful area. When booking trekking expeditions and elephant rides talk to the hotel you will be staying at and ask which companies are certified or use a listing from a travel guide (they only list certified guides). I hope the info helps.
Reply to this I'll be in Thailand in July/August... I figured Bangkok and the major island destinations would be safe enough.. but I was planning on going to Malaysia after Thailand, and was considering going over land (train/bus).. They say the major problems with the insurgency are in the 3 south eastern provinces. Would it be wise to re-route and avoid this area by going down the southwestern portion or is that still too close? Maybe I will have to fly out of Thailand into Malaysia?
Reply to this Hi, we are looking at traveling from Kuala Lumpher to Phuket in the next couple of days and have the same problem about catching the train through potentially dangerous areas in Southern Thailand. We are yet to make up our mind about either taking the risk and training through the area or otherwise flying up to Phuket.
It would be great to hear from anyone else who has traveled through this region recently.
The train is only passing through these areas so the risk is less - however it still exists. Also, we have said we will avoid the bigger tourist areas in Phuket and stick to the smaller islands for safety reasons.
Reply to this 
