Despite spiraling violence in Bangkok, many tourists continue to go around the protest areas. Except that violence targeted in the last 10 days the city centre and already claimed live from children. Once more, “Bangkok Shut-down” is nothing of a street party in contrary to the belief…
BANGKOK- The chill of excitement probably goes through the spin of some visitors strolling in the anti-government protest sites. It is true that as a tourist, it looks colourful and fun to go around, watching at street vendors selling Thai ribbons, fashion accessories, whistles and food. Some tourists even enjoy to get a massage at the sites. Except that all of these activities are at risk for anyone entering the anti-protester sites.
True also that they are difficult to avoid as they are located in three of the most popular areas in Bangkok: Ratchaprasong –with its stride of high-profile shopping malls such as MBK, Siam Paragon, Siam or Central World; Lumpini Park stretching from the end of Silom Street into the corner of Sathorn Boulevard; and finally Sukhumvit, around Terminal 21 Shopping Mall, a few meters away from the Nana Area.
It is certainly fun, it is certainly exciting but above all it can certainly turn dangerous. Over the last ten days, two grenade attacks occurred –one in Ratchaprasong just opposite Central World Shopping Mall, the second one a day later between Silom and Lumpini Park. The first one claimed life of two innocent kids aged 5 and 6 while 30 other people were severely wounded. The second attack around Silom/Lumpini Park injured two security guards among anti-government protesters but witnesses told about hearing shooting for a couple of hours. Reporting on the Silom night, the Bangkok Post wrote that between 1.55 am and 4 am, more than 18 blasts were heard near Henri Dunant and Sarasin intersections while they were gunshots at the Thai-Belgian flyover bridge.
On Tuesday night again, protesters staying at the Pathumwan and Ratchaprasong rally sites heard gunshots and explosions for over two hours. Fortunately they were no casualties. Since protests started last November, over 20 people were killed while the total number of people injured is reaching 800.
Any news website or magazine telling that it is all fun to visit the anti-governors protest is misleading readers. Extreme caution must be exercised when visiting those areas. Although most people protest with peace at mind, they are always some insane people who could act inconsiderately, particularly once night is falling. Bringing children to all those sites is of course not recommended at all. Travel agents and travel websites should then remind travellers wishing to come to Bangkok to remain careful. “If we have tour operators calling us for an itinerary in Thailand, we recommend to go outside Bangkok for the time being. For the ones who still want to include Bangkok, we tell them to avoid the places where protests are. We can send them a link to a map with protest areas and also put information on our website”, says one employee from TO Asian Trails.
For Tobias Fisher, Director Business Development, Go Vacation Thailand, the situation is less dramatic than pictures by media, especially as clients are knowledgeable about the destination. “The majority of our client are from continental Europe and within that German speaking markets. They are many repeaters from these markets, knowing Thailand well, knowing that Bangkok is a big city, Thai people friendly and the destination not a war zone like some media want it to look like. Meanwhile, for many, Bangkok is just a stopover, not the main purpose. We did then not experience cancellations. However there is a marked slowdown in new bookings in March and April”.
How goes then communication with customers? “ We mention the truth to our clients. All our tours and transfers are operated normally but we rebook travellers to areas outside Rachaprasong, which was already difficult as many streets are blocked by protesters. We generally opt for hotels East of Asok and down Silom around the Chao Praya River”, adds Fischer.
As posted on Traveldailynews.asia website, previous stories mentioned about the situation in Bangkok but indicated also that the rest of Thailand remained peaceful and willing to welcome with open arms and all the warmth of the Thai all travellers. This is still the case but coming to Bangkok requests more than ever awareness. . Information about the situation is available under the Tourism Authority of Thailand website.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
