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PHUKET: The British government has updated its travel advice page to inform citizens about potential problems in Bangkok - and on Phuket.
The advice falls short of a warning but it will be greeted with alarm by Thailand's tourism industry. Other nations are likely to follow Britain's example.
Protests on Phuket and in Bangkok have so far been peaceful, although extremely noisy. Use of the word ''mob'' in headlines stretches the truth.
Many of the protesters on Phuket are middle-class professionals, incensed by what they perceive to be government corruption and nepotism.
The protests on Phuket have been in the east coast capital, Phuket City. None have been held on the popular west coast, where the tourist destinations of Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala and Bang Tao are located.
The update on the British Embassy's site reads:
"A number of political demonstrations have taken place in various locations in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand since the start of November 2013. Further large scale protests are taking place, with little warning, at various locations in Bangkok. The main ongoing protest area situated along Rachadamnoen Avenue including Democracy Monument in Bangkok has now expanded to include protests at a number of government buildings in central Bangkok. There have also been demonstrations at provincial halls in many provinces outside Bangkok, including Phuket.
"On 25 November the authorities in Thailand implemented the Internal Security Act in all districts of Bangkok and Nonthaburi as well as the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan and the Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani, which will lead to an increased security presence and possible disruption to traffic. You should avoid all protests, political gatherings and demonstrations."
In 2010, weeks of street protests in Bangkok concluded with a crackdown and 90 deaths. With the exception of Germany and some other nations, many countries issued travel warnings for the whole of Thailand that unfairly penalised the Thai tourism industry.
Virtually all of the action took place in Bangkok.
Direct flights to Phuket mean that few problems or delays are likely to be encountered by tourists.
Representatives on both sides of Thailand's political divide agreed after the occupation of Thailand's major airports in 2008 that such a damaging undertaking would never happen again.
The advice falls short of a warning but it will be greeted with alarm by Thailand's tourism industry. Other nations are likely to follow Britain's example.
Protests on Phuket and in Bangkok have so far been peaceful, although extremely noisy. Use of the word ''mob'' in headlines stretches the truth.
Many of the protesters on Phuket are middle-class professionals, incensed by what they perceive to be government corruption and nepotism.
The protests on Phuket have been in the east coast capital, Phuket City. None have been held on the popular west coast, where the tourist destinations of Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala and Bang Tao are located.
The update on the British Embassy's site reads:
"A number of political demonstrations have taken place in various locations in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand since the start of November 2013. Further large scale protests are taking place, with little warning, at various locations in Bangkok. The main ongoing protest area situated along Rachadamnoen Avenue including Democracy Monument in Bangkok has now expanded to include protests at a number of government buildings in central Bangkok. There have also been demonstrations at provincial halls in many provinces outside Bangkok, including Phuket.
"On 25 November the authorities in Thailand implemented the Internal Security Act in all districts of Bangkok and Nonthaburi as well as the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan and the Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani, which will lead to an increased security presence and possible disruption to traffic. You should avoid all protests, political gatherings and demonstrations."
In 2010, weeks of street protests in Bangkok concluded with a crackdown and 90 deaths. With the exception of Germany and some other nations, many countries issued travel warnings for the whole of Thailand that unfairly penalised the Thai tourism industry.
Virtually all of the action took place in Bangkok.
Direct flights to Phuket mean that few problems or delays are likely to be encountered by tourists.
Representatives on both sides of Thailand's political divide agreed after the occupation of Thailand's major airports in 2008 that such a damaging undertaking would never happen again.
Most of those people dont know for what they are there. Exchange Thaksin for Suthep, I am not sure that this is the good choice, Suthep has not the best reputation to. In a few weeks a lot of them protesting or there children will cry"no guests,low service charge,loose my job" then it will be to late and I guess that Suthep will not be there anymore to support them with free meals and drinks or some pocket money. Conclusion Phuket people be smarter and dont chase the tourist income away for the self interest of Suthep, Thaksin or others. Be smart and dont follow buy voting. You get what you get paid for!
Posted by Eric on November 27, 2013 21:38
Editor Comment:
Self-interest and greed are what you seem to be demanding, Eric, which is precisely the mechanism that drives corruption. Ever made a decision on principle that cost you a baht?