Korean Job Discussion Forums

[denistron]

On the Canadian foreign affairs website Thailand is listed as a danger zone that should not be visited
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/sos/warnings-en.asp

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/dest/report-en.asp?country=290000#2

Has anyone been there recently? What is the politcal climate like now? Is it safe to go or is it as bad as it sounds? How's the weather?

-denis

I know part of the country is still under matrial law. But, is Bangkok safe?

[happeningthang]

The Muslim insurrection in the South is probably the main reason for the warning. There's no way in hell I'd be going down there. Also a Canadian teacher was killed a while back in a bomb attack in Phuket (I think) in Central Thailand, and some Russian tourists murdered in Pattaya (robbery gone wrong).

There were bombings in Bangkok over New Years, but that's supposedly a bit of infighting between the police and the military government, and its rumored to be a one off occurence. I'd say Bangkok is no more dangerous than it was before, and there's still loads of farang about.

Just keep your cash close, and watch your drinks.

[cbeck13]

if you read the warning that you posted, it only includes Bangkok as an area to be aware of....i think you would be fine down south

[desultude]

I would certainly be avoiding the far south, but the rest of the conutry seems to be as usual. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and will be back next week. I haven't even considered terrorism as a potential problem.

There were bombings at new year's, and there are rumblings about Thaksin's party shaking things up soon (they were probably responsible for the New year's bombings).

I would be wary of going to Afghanistan or Iraq, but Thailand?

Here is some perspective on Terrorist attacks:

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/07/13/the_six_most_feared_but_least_likely_causes_of_death.htm

[chris_J2]

I was in Bkk on the night of the bombings & went past at least 4 of the 9 bomb sites the day before. It seems to have calmed down now though. But I would definitely avoid the far south around Pattani, Yala, Naraithiwat & Songhla, & spend minimal time in Hatyai.

The Canadian was NOT killed in Phuket, which is not a Moslem area like the above. Jesse Lee Daniel was killed in Hatyai. I stayed at Kamala Beach in Phuket, which was nice. Patong was too full on & crowded for me.

But since I left Thailand on January 14th, the Australian, Canadian and British embassies have revised their travel warning advisories, cautioning travellers to exercise care in Bangkok, as well as the South, while the US Embassy didn't change its standing advice to exercise caution in both areas.

http://www.cdnn.info/news/travel/t070223.html

[andrew]

.....

[While Away]

Just a reply about the "How's the weather?" It is hot. really hot. March is not winter in Thailand like Korea. March, April, May are the hottest months. Go further north in March. Taiwan, Shanghai, Kunming, Nepal.

[chris_J2]

Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand is slightly cooler & less humid than Bkk that time of year (Mar, Apr, May).