Thailand has again seen a military coup. What does it mean for travelers?
Thaksin Shinawatra served as Thai Prime Minister from 2001 until 2006 when he was ousted by a military coup. The country has seen a period of intense political turmoil over the past decade.
Shinawatra is a populist who draws his political power from the North of the country, from the country’s poor. His rule threatened Thailand’s traditional elites based in Bangkok. Those traditional power structures, in control of the military at the time of Shinawatra’s ouster, struck back. Shinawatra was convicted on corruption charges and fled the country.
When the military handed control of the government back to civilian hands, Shinawatra’s allies were placed back into office. There was a period of relative stability during military rule, but with Shinawatra’s allies back in power the traditionalists took to the streets. That lead to the Bangkok airport shutdown in November 2008.
The two sides are deeply split. The traditionalists also sometimes considered royalists are represented on the streets as the “yellow shirts.” Those favoring populist Shinawatra and his allies demonstrate as the “red shirts.”
The most recently elected leader of Thailand was Thaksin Shinawatra’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. She likely overplayed her hand in November when she introduced an amnesty bill to allow the return of her brother to the country.
She sought early elections to solidify her power base, but the opposition ‘Democrats’ boycotted. They would have lost. The majority of Thais do support her.
At the time there really was discord, and not just in the protest sites. I understand that many Thai Airways executives spent a period of time working from home, they were told not to come in to work if they didn’t have to.
- This has very much been an internal struggle, one which Thais appear embarrassed by in discussions with outsiders. Tourists really haven’t borne the brunt of the conflict at all.
- It’s generally been enough to avoid protest sites and to avoid wearing yellow or red clothing in order to avoid appearing to be a partisan with one side or the other.
Thailand has been the country most prone to coups and they have been generally peaceful. But I am not an expert on Thai politics and I have no inside information about what either side’s next steps are.
With the latest coup, the military went from ensuring security to actually taking charge. Though there’s a curfew in place in Bangkok from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m, you can head to or from the airport with a printed itinerary.
This often aren’t what they seem in Thai politics. There’s a great deal of intrigue, public statements are often at odds with what everyone knows to be going on. There’s a great deal of face-saving as well.
In 2008 Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was forced to resign over having hosted television cooking shows. I don’t think anyone believes that the reason given by the Constitutional Court was in any way related to the actual need to have Samak step down. But it gave him a reason other than lack of confidence of the people to do so.
The best source I’ve found for Thai news in its proper context is Bangkok Pundit.
I suppose right now, all things equal, I’d recommend postponing or avoiding Thailand travel. But that’s not a judgment that the current situation is especially unsafe. There’s not any evidence of that at this point and historically these situations haven’t been especially dangerous for outsiders. But if there’s not a strong compelling reason to be there it’s worth putting that off to a different time I’d think.
That said, my own inclinations are such that I would likely ignore my own advice. As I’ve said before, I am the sort of person who would touch the stove even though my mother told me it was hot. And I like seeing and experiencing things first-hand.
Are you going to be avoiding Thailand during the current crisis?
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Does this affect the phuket region?!? Have a family vacation scheduled this July already paid for.
Due in myself on monday evening for an overnight visit. Considered re routing but at this point still going. Will closely monitor things over the weekend. Would be a big pain to re route my award tickets now…
cNoteZ we’ll know what July looks like later on, I wouldn’t worry at this point. And I suspect that there will be less to worry about in Phuket than in Bangkok or the North.
I miss Wannaporn.
Scheduled to be there for a week in August with the family, and absolutely no plans to reschedule unless the situation deteriorates dramatically.
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Coups happen pretty much every Wednesday and Friday in Thailand and generally end, rather than begin, a period of instability. Thailand’s not-infrequent social unrest rarely, if ever, has affected tourists. If anything, it might help make normally crowded venues less so.
What would this mean for transiting BKK?
Thanks for sharing your take. I have a trip to Bangkok booked in September. Plenty of time to wait and see how things develop.
One question: How do airlines typically deal with these issues? Would I be allowed to change an award ticket for free due to the conflict? Just curious how that typically shakes out.
Would love to hear a report from anyone that is there. Hopefully things will sort out within a few weeks.
I’m supposed to transit BKK on Sunday on the way to HAN. Hopefully, they do not shut down the airport this time.
@Noel if things do get problematic there will likely be a travel waiver, at least for airlines that serve Thailand. Sometimes airlines that don’t, don’t think to offer one.
@Joeheg for now, nothing, but that could change (it did in November 2008)
Gary, is there a possibility of this instability reducing ticket prices to Thailand?
I’d go too, if I had flights there today.
Regarding stoves:
I read a article from a science journal to my girlfriend one day that dealt with male/female differences.
If a mother tells a little girl that the stove is hot and not to touch it, she believes her and doesn’t touch it. If a mother tells a little boy the stove is hot, he has to check.
Girlfriend said “of course, you believe your mother!”. I looked at her stunned, and observed that it’s always good to check yourself, in case she’s wrong…
Noel: If the situation gets out of hand, the Airlines will likely issue a waiver allowing you to change your tickets for free.
Joeheg: it is possible(but unlikely) that the airport could get shut down temporarily, in which case i’m sure your airline would work with you to re-route you to avoid BKK.
Having been to Thailand many times, I concur with Larry above. Coups happen all the time and it doesn’t change the day-to-day lives of most Thai citizens or of tourists. I wouldn’t worry at all about going there within the next few months. Even in the rare situation when people are rioting, they don’t target tourists.
Planning to fly into BKK and spend several days in Hua Hin…will not change plans unless the situation deteriorates considerably…
It won’t affect my travel to Bangkok. I’ll look at the bright side to this. The exchange rate will most likely be better for me and probably less tourists which equal less waiting in lines more available rooms at many hotels etc..
I was born in Thailand and withnessed several coups and generally they are almost always bloodless. My 2 Baht says this won’t impact tourists in any way. Also the yellow and red shirts are nothing but tools by the elite on both sides to gain power. Both camps are corrupt as corrupt can be. The red shirt Thaksin used the middle class tax to give handouts to the rural poor whereas the yellow shirts just try to maintain their wealth and the status quo. End game is who ever is in power protect their business interests. The politicians on both camps don’t really care about democracy. Unfortunately many people can be bought. Which ever party is in power they will enrich themselves and demand 30% tea money of any mega billion dollar projects they approve.
Once again for tourists, there is nothing to worry about imho. Enjoy your trip to Thailand, perhaps at discounted prices for hotels and tickets at this time. Take advantage of it.
Note: Forgot to mention that with either camp in power the rich will always get rich. If they are allies with either color, they will make more money if their side is in power. The middle class gets screwed and pay the most taxes while the rich evade taxes by a large extent. Sort of like the US in a way, whether the dempcrat or repulican party is in power, the middle cass get screwed and get taxed heavily.
Have award travel planned in November/December for BKK, HKG & SGN — not thinking about making any changes at this time.
I was there in 2008, and the airport seizure was a pain but easily overcome. I was there this past November.
Having the military in charge IS actually safer. The Police who sympathize with Thaksin who himself was a high ranking police officer, pretty much refused to do their jobs when the pro-government crew allegedly fired grenades into the anti-government encampments in the middle of the night a couple of times killing several and wounding many.
This past November I stayed at the Hyatt Erawan for 2 weeks at the height of the anti-government protests which were happening literally right outside the hotel at the Ratchaprasong intersection. The hotel provided daily status updates and other than the crowds and tents in the roads instead of cars, and certain areas that were more challenging to navigate, things proceeded as expected.
I’ve already got plans to return in October, I won’t be changing them – I’m with Gary, I’m not saying things will not happen, but based on previous experience, I wouldn’t cancel a trip because of it.
If your just transiting or moving on to Phuket, Hua Hin or other places outside of BKK, I would be worried even less.
I am scheduled into Bangkok in nine days…hopefully conditions will have eased.
I contacted the St Regis as I will land at 11:25 PM which is after curfew and they assured me there would be no problem but suggested I hire their car/limo.
At this point I am more worried about Delta not wanting to fly a probably half empty 747 into BKK.
We actually just checked into the St Regis Bangkok after a JFK>NRT>BKK flight that started 5/21. Found out about the coup in NRT, found out about the curfew when we checked in…oh well, not much that can be done at this point. We’ll go about our business, make sure that we’re eating dinner by 8, and hope that some of the other attractions will be less crowded. We leave Sunday morning for Vietnam so thankfully not in Thailand for too long. I’ll report back if there’s anything of note to share.
My coworker is from Thailand. He still goes back every year. His comment to me this morning was a chuckle and he said, “Thailand…where a military coup results in the Thai stock market rising, the former govt is not lined up and shot and except for curfews, life carries on as before”.
I have a 4 hour connection flying in F on HKG-BKK-MXP in a couple weeks. Coup doesn’t matter to me at all. We’re going to Bangkok, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai in Nov though and hope this is resolved. Many people living in Bangkok are posting that they don’t notice a single deference right now though, so possible that nothing is really affected for tourists.
@Curtis: they don’t notice a single difference? really? everyplace was a ghost town last night with the 10pm curfew. even 7-11 shut. and it was everywhere- phuket, bkk, CM, CR, udon thani, kk… i wouldn’t be concerned for safety. but i would be for boredom! 10 pm curfews on holiday doesn’t spell fun for most people- particularly in Thailand. Thailand with no nightlife- uh, no.
we’ll see how long the curfew lasts. thing is, the military are forcing the red shirts indoors. when the military only stages coups when the elected govt is in power (red shirts), and only uses military force when the non-elected yellow shirts are in power- killing red shirts…. well, you’ve got some pretty pissed off reds right now.
I am going in July for 3 weeks and travelling to the east and south. I would really like to know if this will affect my trip?
Saw the news this morning and was nervous as I have a trip to MUC, FRA, BKK, USM, SIN, DPS, and HKG in late July – not for safety concerns, but on the off chance that it could throw a wrench into my perfectly crafted United pre-devaluation itinerary – LH F, TG F (A380!!), BR J (777 TPE-JFK), etc. Even one cancellation could completely derail what I’ve put so many hours into building 🙂
But from the comments here from Gary and others I’m confident that the risk of any cancellations is pretty low. Feeling pretty good, hopefully it resolves itself by then.
I’m with your thinking. I’ll be in BKK next week and just booked a trip to the crimea.
I have been to Thailand quite recently and saw no problems.
As long as you use common sense I doubt ‘educated’ tourists will have any problems. To put things in perspective, the USA is a far more dangerous country than Thailand at the moment.
I am in Hua Hin now, no curfew shops open life is normal, just TV channels are off, WIFI. Is good everyone here seems happy plus 35 degrees and sunny !!!!
Re: relative danger, I was curious and looked this up. According to Wikipedia, for the most recent years for which data exists, Thailand and the USA have the same intentional murder rate: 4.8/1,000. Interesting.
Frank, while that may be true,the nature of the murders tends to be different. There is significant trouble in the far south where tourists rarely go and I understand that domestic murders account for a very high portion as well. I have never felt threatened in Thailand, whereas the USA I have numerous times. Driving in Thailand however is a different kettle of fish – They basically don’t know what road safety is. I would worry far more about that than a relatively peaceful coup.
I’m in Phuket right now, here for the next 12 days. I was in Chiang Mai a few days ago. Other than the 8pm closure of the mall last night ( I was in the grocery store)and no TV at all. I haven’t seen anything to be worried about so far. No one I have talked to here is really worried either. I was in my hotel room working last night so I didn’t know that there was a 10pm curfew. Guess it was good I didn’t try and go out for a drink. I’m not sure what happens if your out after curfew?
How does anyone even know, nothing is on as far as TV and I don’t read Thai, so if it says it in the newspaper, I wouldn’t know either. So hopefully the curfew gets lifted, otherwise it will suck having to be in at 10pm while I’m here. But I’ll make due and hang at the beach all day and work in my room at night if I need to.
I just hope they don’t block the internet 🙁
Let me know if you have any specific questions, I can try and answer them. But not sure how much info I’ll get on the ground, you will probably get more being out of the country.
I wouldn’t change my travel plans!
In addition to Bangkok Pundit, Gary forgot to mention his own website that has a relevant discussion: http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/whats-up-with-thailand-a-recent-history.22453/page-2
I’m heading to Thailand in 3 weeks, connection in BKK then heading south to Koh Samui. Mainly concered about the curfew on the islands and how much of an effect, if any it will have, because I’m finding it difficult to imagine the full moon party being cancelled and ver 15,000 people missing it.
Also I’m planning on cathcing the night train from BKK to Koh Samui, will this still be possible with the curfew?
Thanks.
I am traveling to Thailand coming week (26th May 2014) : Monday to Wednesday(Pattaya) and Thursday to saturday (Bangkok). I thought of reschedlingcancelling but its not possible(No Refund) as only 2 days are left. Following every news and uncertain in taking decision.
Tourists who are in Thailand currently..Please keep us updated on any changes in situation which would help me in taking decision. Thanks in advance!!
hi cris, i am visiting phuket with family in the first week of june.have a two night stay in bangkok also. should i reschedule the trip or continue with the same. hope situation will be under control.
We will be in Bangkok in July and have no concerns at all. This is just the way the political process works in Thailand.
Have you seen photos of what the Western press calls “violent protests?” They look like the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade in NYC…except probably safer.
My son and his girlfriend were in Bangkok last month and said it was impossible to tell there was anything unusual going on at all. They had a great time.
So worried about my son and his girlfriend going to Koh Samui, Chaing Mai and Bangkok in 4 weeks. So bad that the travel companies wont let you reschedual free of charge when theses are worrying times in Thailand.
Sarah, I don’t think there is that much cause for concern. The Thai people are very nice and everything is going on as normal around the curfew times. Thailand requires heavily on tourism and the army have told all tourists will be protected.
As a future tourist (in 3 weeks) I’m concerned about how to travel about in Bangkok and the country during the curfew? Has anyone got any advice and help for this question?
GO, I’ve been in many in Thailand…. go and have fun
rajeev,
Other than the curfew and things closing early, I still haven’t seen any issues. TV actually came back on for a few hours. Its now back to the message and music, but its a start. People are still out and doing their thing and no sign at all of any military or issues. The airports are still open and you can head to them 24/7 as long as you have a printed itinerary.
I wouldn’t worry at this point at all.
My trip to BKK and Pattaya starts Sunday 25th May. Any advise to me in the present situation ? Do I go ahead or cancel.
Hello, I am scheduled to fly with family (4 & 8 yer old), going to koh kut (Kood). need to change airports in BKK.
any recommendations regarding traveling with kids?
We’ll be in BKK for 2 nights the first week in August, hopefully things are settled down by then, or at least still safe for tourists.
We are due for Thailand in a week, can’t wait as excited as before, just hope the curfew will be lifted as nightlife is one of our highlights. enjoy your holiday, we definitely will!
I had already postponed a May trip because I went back to the USA for a few days. My fiance are planning to go next week (we live in Shenzhen China) and we’re not particularly concerned. Many friends there say that they’ve had little impact on them, except the curfew (to a degree). We aren’t late night party people anyway, so the curfew won’t really impact our plans.
How safe is Bangkok now…had booked, flight and hotel, for June 19 to 22 for bangkok holiday…I am form Calgary Canada…is there any website wherein I can monitor the goings in bangkok…I hope the Bangkok coup will be over by next week…
@Peth – Many people say that BKK during these protests is safer than many big US cities. These things happen pretty frequently, and they’ve been going on for months this time so the odds of everything being settled by next week are skim to none. Just avoid the protest areas, don’t wear red or yellow and get home before the curfew.