state of emergency in Bangkok Thailand?

Question

I,m going to bangkok in 3 weeks,does anybody know what is going on over there,i have just heard that the military have taken over the goverment building.
I would be greatful if anybody living in bangkok or anybody else has any info weather it will be ok for me to travel.
Thank you

Answer 1

i think many people are blowing this thing out of proportion. it is no iraq or somalia or darfur. thailand is a peaceful country. even with this coup happening. the military has always been a strong authority in thailand. while it may dabble in politics occasionally but generally they maintain a neutral stand and protect the country with total allegiance to the king. thaksin has been very unpopular over the years and i think they felt it was time to make him step down once and for all. they did wait for him to be away in ny before executing the coup, mainly because (i think), so as to not incite any violence in the country. so far it has been peaceful and i think it will remain as such. the king will not let any violence erupt anyway. so i suggest go on your life and trip to thailand as usual.

Answer 2

There is no problem. This is good for Thailand. Here's a letter from Thailand today

'When my wife finally stopped singing and dancing around with our son at 7.45am

this morning, she shouted out "Damn good!"
a) few people outside Thailand really know how Taksin has so cleverly usurped,

benefitted from financial corruption instead of tackling it, bought up enormous

tracts of his own country in areas of future development, bought foreign homes

while barring foreigners from doing the same here, sued every major media outlet

that criticised him and done NOTHING for the poor, and especially the hilltribes.

Smiled at foreigners while restricting visas even further and pursuing policies

which may ultimately be seen to be xenophobic. Full of promises and no delivery.

Even his home city Chiangmai has waited a year in vain for his promised 53m baht

to tackle flooding.
b) yes, he was democratically elected. The second time. Like another western

premier we could name. At the first one he bought his way in with the "million baht

per village" offer. That turned out to be a loan, not a gift of course, but it did the

trick. Literally!
c) In my personal view this bloodless coup would not have taken place so smoothly,

if at all, without the tacit consent of His Majesty. Maybe the writing was on the

wall days ago? It is reported that Taksin took his whole family to the UN

conference - unprecedented.
d) Dancing in the streets? Well there should be wherever thinking people are to be

found (ie mainly in Bangkok). What we have in the streets here are lots of

armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with rifles slung, looking a little bored

and confused. But they don't mind having their photos taken as I proved on the

way into the office this morning. Not allowed to talk, though, and many don't know

what is happening.
e) Next? One of many responsible comments by General Sonthi was that the army

would not hang on to power for very long. A coalition government, maybe with the

promising young Democrat Abhisit to the fore, could be great!
f) We live in quite exciting times, but feel totally safe and very curious about the

spin-off effects. Prayerfully this can only be good for Thailand!'

Answer 3

This is difficult I just came back from a trip from bangkok and had the greatest time ever and wouldn't have missed it for anything (seven armys wouldn't hold me back) as a tourist you are unlikely to be challenged as most thai's know where ther bread is buttered but as a rule of thumb with travelling don't go anywhere where you don't think you'll feel safe.

Question is How confident a traveller are you. Usually with travelling the higher the risk the the higher the rewards can be. But at the end of the day it's your life your choice.....

Answer 4

Weather is ok there. It's humid and hot at 34deg C. But the political weather is very hot too and uncertain with a military coup taking place now. Thai PM is in NY & has declared a state of emergency in his country. Many events will be played out in the next few weeks. The military chiefs who are opposed to PM are in control of the country but there are many PM army supporters, who were promoted by PM in the army too. These 2 factions
likely to create problems for the country but in the end the
King of Thailand will get all things sorted out. It's advisible to hold your travel plan till situation there are clearer.
I'm from Singapore and have friends & relatives there.

Answer 5

It has been bombed today. I would say that is the worst I can think of. I know people who are there and I do not know if they are safe or not. You are lucky you have not left yet. Why test fate? If you are not trying to evacuate your baby why go there? The military has taken over the country not just a building. It is called a coup. It means a violent take over of a country. They have stopped the TV and the newspapers. Contact your travel agent and airline. They might not even be traveling there. I would just let people evacuate out of there.
Please do not create more problems because people have to go in there to rescue you. It is not kind to put the lives of others at risk.

Answer 6

1. Call your travel agent.
2. Check your countries "Travel Warning" web page (USA prov.) <1>
3. Read web articals (prov.)
" Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Thailand (flag pictured) declares a state of emergency in Bangkok as members of the Royal Thai Army stage a coup d'état. " <2>
------ -------- ---" BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai armed forces seized power on Tuesday without firing a shot, dismissed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's government, revoked the constitution and promised a swift return to democracy after political reforms." <3>

Answer 7

Just go as you planned to do. I live here for many years. I speak to many Thais tonight and most of them don't care a **** what happen. "It always same this", they respond. "They always fight each other in the government."
At the moment all works OK here in Bangkok. You can't see the military is taken over.

Answer 8

It is a coup!
The Capital, Bangkok, is under military's control.
Prime Minister Thaksin maybe in N.Y. to attend for UN yet.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/231404/1/.html

Answer 9

It's too early to tell, I've been watching Sky News since about 3pm and for the last 2 and half hours it's all they've covered.

The advice is not to travel.

Answer 10

This is the official government advice for Thailand.