Hat Yai Travel Forum

Hi everybody

we have made plans to make way to Hatyai next month but we are stopped by our parents to make a trip there because of the news flashing on our tvs lately. for us, we are kinda quite adamant wanting to make this trip possible.

was wondering the locals there can aid us in providing us a clearer picture of the situation there?

at times, we do believe the press had blown situations bigGER than it should appear to be. anyone possible to provide us withe some "lineup" of the situation there?

thank you for any information furnished.

Whether it is safe or not next month, is anyone's guess.

There were 6 bombs that accordingly went off. 2 infront of a pub called deep Wonder which was the biggest, one in front of New Cherry Massage just about 100m ahead of the first 2 bombs. This was the one that killed the Canadian and 2 massage girls. I'n not sure where the 4th one died.

There was a bomb at Big C which was at an ATM machine, one at Lee Garden Plaza in the KTV box on the 4th flooe and one in front of a toilet in Diana Shopping. But these bombs were not big and did not caused much damages. In fact, the biggest bombs did not even shatter the glass panels of Diana Shopping Mall which was just 5m away. A friend was about 30m away and saw the explosion and wasn't hurt.

I'm staying in Hat Yai with my family and don't have plans to relocated as yet as I personally don't find it that serious. In fact, there are more road accidents everyday. Should I find the situation unbearable, I will definitely relocate maybe to BKK.

But then again, I couldn't say that there isn't any risks here. If you are unlucky, who knows? So I suggest you pleased your parents and not have them worried while you are here and until then, not to worry as Hat Yai will always be here when you can come in the future.

Cheers
Tee Vee

hi heartache...

well said, tee vee... i am of the view that it will be fine to visit hatyai anytime... there is always risk in life... to me, it is call fate... so no matter where you are ~ even in perceived safe places ~ you will have to go when the LORD needs you... enjoy your holiday, let to-morrow take care of itself...

regards.chia

Dear Tee Vee & Chia

thanks for the note. we'll take note on these.

actually our planned trip will be end of oct. we'll play by ear as the days go ahead then......

like what the press has been reporting - hope the coup will aid to improve situation in hatyai then.

:)

thailand has always been a lovely place to visit in our minds.

just the last trip when we were in BKK, though the reports which we have seen in papers were said to have groups and groups of riots all over BKK. apparently and thank God, the situation didnt turn out to be that bad.

we had a close encounter with the anti-Thaksin protesters too then! side-by-side witih them whilst getting out from the train and walking back to our hotel.

glad to say - it wasnt a bad experience and encounter then!

the impression of thai people to us have always been positive for years. they are friendly people though at times for some, there are language barrier

Hat Yai . . . if you were coming here to BKK, I wouldn't hesitate to tell you that things are calm and there is little, if there is absolutely any at all, increased sense of danger. There has been, however, a bit more going on in Hat Yai. But I do agree with the advice to maintain your plans to visit Hat Yai. I'd bet you'll feel substantially safer walking in Hat Yai than you would walking in Manhattan or downtown LA. Very likely the average Thai, Muslim or Buddhist, wants the same things you want, a comfortable and happy life, with good relationships with others. And yes, while there will be risks of differing degrees anywhere you go or even if you just stay home, the media does tend to blow things out of proportion (e.g., ever watched Fox News?). I hope you can get to know the average Thai better.

Hi bkk

oh yes! we heard the news on BKK too! well, frankly, those news didnt really worry us much.

like I had mentioned, on the whole, we ALWAYS enjoy our time whilst in Thailand - be it in BKK, Hatyai or even the small island of Koh Samui. We hadnt faced any problems blending ourselves with the people there though like I said with the language barrier.

Thai on the whole, to us, are friendly people REALLY! every trips we had in this country had always made us bring back to our home sweet memories of the place!

for the issues of the southern part of Thailand, it had been an ongoing issues and had gone for quite a while already. it is only at this point of time, it was to the extreme and resulting people leaving this little place quickly.

It had been ages since my last visit to this little area - Hatyai and frankly, I am really looking forward to get into that location once again.

I believe it is not only the foreigners are hoping for situations to settle down but the locals as well :)

we will play by ear and hopefully and keeping our fingers crossed that peace will be in that state in no time!

cheers!

The situation in Hatyai is calmer now, but one cannot never predict what and when they will do next. If you are on holiday, no point having this worry on the back of your mind since you are out to fully enjoy yourself. Why not try other parts of Thailand like Chiangmai? It is safer, and in my opinion, all the attractions and entertainment are much better than Hatyai. Unless it is very necessary, I would advise that you avoid Hatyai for now.

Regards
Diyexplorer

For whatever it's worth, this past weekend I met for a drink with my friend who was born in Hat Yai and is raising his family there. I asked him about the situation, thinking that being Chinese-buddhist he might have faced some animosity from the mostly muslim populace. He assured me that he and his family felt totally safe living in Hat Yai and said that much of what we hear is exaggerated. Again, for whatever it's worth. Don't even think, however, of going to New York City (just kidding).