Martial law in Bangkok

[punch*drunk]

I think I'm cursed as far as holidays go.

Just in the last 12 months,

A trip to Queensland was ruined when my husband injured himself the night before and the kids and I had to go without him 😞

Because he missed that holiday I booked a week away at the beach and one of our dogs died while we were there 😞

In 10 days we are meant to be flying to Bangkok and they have declared martial law!!

Is this the universe telling me not to take any more holidays?

I dont know what to do, do I go, do I cancel? Its all just too hard!

[donnashuggy]

Just go, could be even safer now

[j*oono]

Just keep an eye on things Punch.  I don't think that people realise that there is ALWAYS unrest and protests in Thailand.

My ex is there at the moment but is supposed to be flying out to Bangladesh in three days so hopefully he won't get grounded.

Odd, because he emailed me this morning and didn't even mention it.  Maybe he is just used to it there.

[pct001wine]

Check out smarttravellerdotgovdotau but I guess you have done that already

I would look carefully at your travel insurance policy too as they may not cover you under martial law conditions 😞

Good luck

[azureline**]

Thailand's army has declared martial law in an announcement on military TV, but insists it is not staging a coup.

The announcement said martial law had been invoked "to restore peace and order for people from all sides" and added that "the public do not need to panic but can still live their lives as normal".

The Thai government said it was not consulted in advance of the military declaration, and said acting prime minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan remained in power.

"Everything is normal except the military is responsible for all national security issues," the prime minister's chief security adviser Paradon Pattanatabut told the AFP news agency.

[pct001wine]

http://203.6.168.82/SiteAssets/Thailand.pdf

Exercise a high degree of caution for Thailand in general

Do not travel to Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla

[punch*drunk]

I would look carefully at your travel insurance policy too as they may not cover you under martial law conditions 😞

Thats probably concerning me more than anything else at the moment. A lot of what I read says not to worry too much about the martial law, but I would worry about being uninsured.

A friend who is a travel agent organised the insurance for me so i will get in touch with her about it.

I plan to change our accomodation too, its not really close to the protest areas, but there are places that may be better I think.

[lionrose.7]

Blow, I was just planing my trip 😞

[azureline**]

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowTopic-g293920-i5037-k7468683-Martial_law-Phuket.html

[cherry*135]

I was wondering if you were still going to Bangkok, punch. 

Smart Traveller - Govt Travel Advice (AU)

Thailand overall -  Exercise a high degree of caution

Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla - do not travel

• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand due to the possibility of civil unrest and the threat of terrorist attack. You should pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
  
  
• On 20 May 2014, the Army chief declared martial law across Thailand. You should follow the instructions of local authorities and avoid all demonstrations, protest sites, political events and large-scale public gatherings.
  
  
• Australians in Thailand may see an increased presence of security forces in some locations. You should be aware that under martial law military authorities have wide powers, including to suspend laws, restrict movement and impose curfews and other security measures. You should monitor the media for information on restrictions and possible disruption to transport and other services.

More advice in the link

http://www2.smartraveller.gov.au/SiteAssets/Thailand/index.htm

I traveled through Turkey  in the 1980's they had a military coup not long before we arrived (on a bus tour). We weren't even sure if we could get in, till we arrived at the border.  Being in my 20's then, I thought it a bit exciting.