Living There
I live in Bangkok Thailand and have been covering the protests since it started. In the last couple of months the military have made a major push into the city to clear the protesters. While this action has caused many of them to go home there still remains pockets of protesters fighting with the military, although that group seems to be dwindling in numbers every day. Currently there is a curfew in the city from dusk till dawn and this is to allow the military to conduct operations against these remaining violent groups.
Please keep in mind that Bangkok Thailand is a large city and there are many parts of the city that are not affected by the protesters. With the dispersal of the main protest site many in the city feel that this is the start of a process to return Bangkok to normal.
Navigating Bangkok’s Safety: Insights Amidst Current Turmoil
Is it safe to travel to Bangkok Thailand now? Thailand Tourism Officials Say Bangkok Remains Safe, but my advice would be no. Currently there are still pockets of violence throughout the city and some remaining protesters are trying to establish another stronghold. The shutting down of the main train line and numerous transit lines has rendered navigating the city extremely difficult. Due to the unpredictable nature of the protesters many citizens are staying indoors till the military have secured the entire city.
While many of the other cities in Thailand were not as impacted by the protests as Bangkok Thailand was, many are following through with the curfew to try and prevent the protesters from taking over their city. The protests did not directly affect many popular holiday destinations in the south, but if you were to visit, you might discover numerous closed businesses due to the curfew.
Rebuilding Bangkok Thailand: Navigating Safety and Rediscovering as a Tourist Destination
While the safety is improving everyday Bangkok Thailand still has a long road ahead to rebuild itself as a tourist destination.
It’s unfortunate for Thais, but you’ll encounter no difficulty in locating area hotels, transportation, tours, etc., as there are probably very few tourists remaining anywhere except in Phuket. I would highly recommend Chiang Mai and the Mae Hong Son loop.
If you are arriving from an international flight, try to arrange with your hotel for hotel pickup service on arrival at the airport. If not, you can book an airport taxi or limousine service from inside the arrivals hall. Fares are around 400-700 Baht. If you want a meter taxi (less luxurious, less expensive) join the (usually short) queue outside the arrivals building and get a taxi voucher from the ticket booth outside. Tell the taxi driver the name of your hotel; only pay the driver once you arrive at your hotel destination. All fares vary depending on the travel time/distance from the airport to hotel, but should be around 200Baht upwards. A small tip is always appreciated.
