By now, I am sure you already heard about the situation in Bangkok and caught up on what is going on. I don’t like writing about politic on my blog because I think I am not qualify to even venture out an opinion in this matter. I don’t live in Thailand. Plus I think politic is something that is a personal choice.
However, I also cannot NOT write about what is happening now in Bangkok because my heart is broken for all the people in Thailand. It doesn’t matter what color or side they are the impact from this event will have a lasting impression for a really long time.
I have a very emotional roller coaster in the past several days as I monitored the situation in Bangkok and Thailand. This post has been in the draft mode for several days before I can pull myself together to be able to finish it.
It’s heart breaking to see my beloved city and country engulfed in flame and my fellow Thais turned against each other.
My Reason to Visit Bangkok Now: My Family
We are still moving forward with our plan to visit Thailand this summer even with strong suggestions and warning from the State department to avoid traveling to Thailand.
Now, I can’t speak for everyone out there because it’s very much personal choice for me and my family. I have family in Thailand and especially in Bangkok so I have the big advantage in traveling there. I feel the pull to go back even more now than ever. I want to be with my families. I want to see it with my own eyes of what has become of Thailand.
My family is safe and they assure me that life has slowly gone back to normal. Thais are resilient and hardworking. I have absolute faith in my country that we will be able to find a way to bring back the Land of Smiles soon.
If you plan to visit, I would strongly suggest you to monitor the situation and read up various resources (not just news website but local bloggers on the ground) to understand the fast changing situation in Bangkok.
Three days ago, it was as if Bangkok was under the civil war. But now, Thai people has come together and work hard to bring back the peace we have. Many of Thais will be out on the street not protesting but cleaning up the city. They have organized it themselves without any influences from any political groups. I hope this will help heal the wound and bring everyone together!
Websites, Blogs to Follow for Bangkok Situation
Here are a few sites that have a great coverage on what is going on in Thailand:
- Michael Yon’s Facebook page: He is American author, independent writer, columnist and photographer whose photo is used on the first image.
- Reuters Live Blogging: A live blogging with update information from Reuters.com
- My Thailand Blogs by Richard Barrow: A great resource for Thailand traveling, food and photography.
- WomenLearnThai has a great post about Staying Safe in Thailand.
- Follow my Thailand-News twitter list. Twitter has become a great way to follow the situation on the real time. I have learned about many updates way before my family in Thailand from Twitter. But Twitter also has a tendency to spread unconfirmed news or rumor faster than the wild fire. So you have to filter the information and take it with the grain of salt before jumping into any conclusion.
Stay tune for my update from our trip to Thailand!! And I promise to be back to my old self and talk about travel tips and fun stuff soon.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
It is really sad. At first, I kept saying to people, oh it’ll blow over quickly, it always does in Thailand, but this has been bad. I really hope it doesn’t put people off visiting and damage the tourism industry. We’ll still be going next year!
Thank you, Victoria! I hope so too. It’s even more important for me to go back as plan because I want to be able to see it with my own eyes and be able to recommend it to other readers. I know other parts of Thailand are still peaceful so we hope to be able to convey that message to other travelers. :)
How is your trip planning coming along?
We just returned from a trip to SE Asia, and cut short our Bangkok visit so we only spent 1 day there, which happened to be a holiday, so we actually went out and saw some temples and tried to see the Palace. It seemed like a beautiful city and we were very disappointed we couldn’t see more of it!
Hi Andrea, thank you for stopping by. It’s so unfortunate and I hope that you will have a chance to go back soon. Bangkok is a city like no other.
It’s interesting to hear your take on the events and looking forward to following your family’s travels there this summer. Everything is political, especially travel, so it’s inevitable that you’ll be pulled to write about it.
You are right. I think now it’s especially important for me to write about Bangkok and Thailand. It’s sad to see the impact that will have for the tourism in Thailand.
It is very sad, for all of Thailand. It isn’t just a Bangkok issue of course. Not only because Red Shirts have also caused damange in Udon Thani and Khon Khean (sp), but because the economic losses will effect all Thai people, regardless of their political views.
I also honestly think that this is the beginning of the end of the Kingdom of Thailand (as a royal kingdom).
I was so shaken in the past few days. Like you said the impact will effect all Thai people.
Your family and your country will be in my prayers. It will be wonderful for your kids to get to see family.
Thank you, Bridget. We are looking forward to meeting our family again. :)
Thailand had a profound impact on me when I visited and I will forever have a connection to the many wonderful Thai people that I met. It makes me sad when I see everything that is happening there. The Thai people need our tourism support more than ever.
Yes, Randy. Thank you for your support. :)
Amy, I completely understand how you must be feeling. Seeing your family’s picture and reading about this brings me back to what happened in Burma. We still returned even after the most recent uprising although we were encouraged against it. The most important thing is that you will be with your family. Keeping your family and the people of Thailand in our thoughts and prayers.
take care and safe travels!
aye
Thank you, Aye!
Amy, I’m happy to learn your family is safe. Glad you feel you can go be with your family, it is the time for being together. Thank you for the blog roll on folks who are there… you are right that media can focus on one side. I look forward to hearing your insights as well.
Amy, I’m sorry to hear about this news but I agree that a visit this summer can be helpful for you to understand what’s going on first hand, as well as enjoy some time with your family. Hopefully, the conflict will be over before you travel, and the trip is entirely one of joy. Safe travels!
Amy – I’m sad for you and for all Thai people about what has been happening in your country. I am sending good energy your way for safe travels home this summer.
Great blog!!
Looks like everyone had fun!!
I wish your family safe travels. It has to be difficult to see your family in the midst of such turmoil. But, as has been proven in the past, the Thai are resilient people. My best to all of you.
i really want to know whether i can go to bangkok for a holiday with my family?
I wonder if you can help, I run an affiliate scheme for Homespace a Real Estate agent in Bangkok and would like to know the email address of the best person to work with on setting it up with you. We give 10% of any properties rented from your website so I think it should be of interest.
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