Chiang Mai Travel Forum

I am supposed to go to Chiang Mai on Sunday (Jan. 4, 2009) but I have been told that it is not safe for Americans (particularly women traveling alone) to go now because of recent political unrest ( recent airport takeover in Bangkok, multiple demonstrations where explosives were used) I don't want to give in to alarmists, but I am considering cancelling my trip. Is there anyone who is there now, or has been there recently, who can advise me of the true conditions and safety for a woman traveling alone? Thanks

i propose that u just travel to malaysia...harmony country...just adjacent to thailand.

Hello,

There should be quite a few people jumping in with some thoughts that live in Chiang Mai - I used to live there but now living on Koh Samui.

I was in Bangkok when the protests started and although the world was alarmed, I didn't notice anything unusual with my activities - it was just too far away to be an issue.

I flew out of Thailand a week before PAD took over the airport. Ironic and sad too because I was telling everyone to not be so alarmed and that Thailand was safe and all the issues were in areas away from tourists. Then they go and take over the one location most certainly that will have tourists :)

I haven't heard about any tourists being injured due to the protests.

I flew back to Thailand within a WEEK of the protests ending - something like 5 days later. I didn't have any issues, in fact the airport was much quieter and I flew through all the checkpoints - to be honest, it was better. I also wasn't harassed by taxi drivers. It seemed a little too quiet but I didn't have any issues.

I don't feel that Thailand is unsafe - at least not any more than it already is or other locations in the world. LA can be dangerous too.

The real question is if you want to be in Thailand when PAD decides to do it again should they not get their way? For most tourists I think it was a giant headache but I don't believe it was a life threatening situation that had people running in chaos.

NOTE: the visa-run by land is only 15 days now. I don't really deal with it as I fly often but something others planning to spend more than 30 days in Thailand may want to be aware of.

ENJOY

According to my knowledge the Bangkok airport is working again, so if you have to change flights there on the way to Chiang Mai I guess there is no problem with that.
Now I cannot see any reason why not visiting Chiang Mai this time of the year, it should be great. The safety issues is as usual for any traveller of gender, be sure where you hang out especially at night alone, in the hotel area, the center, the market and so on you should be OK, just do not go to where it is total empty and dark. Being an American has nothing to do with your safety in that matter in that location.

The airports are back to normal but there was nothing in any of the recent troubles aimed at female tourists so it is as safe for lone ladies as it as ever been. Although I am clearly not a female I know many you have explored Thailand on their own without any problems. Just exercise your normal good sense and avoid any political demonstrations and have a great time.

Regards

John

Thank you!

I live in Bangkok, just back from the North East

Highly unlikely that the counter group to the PAD (the UDD / DAAD) will do much more than pick on government buildings and hold protests.

If you really want to look on the worst scenario... you are NOT going to be in danger / unsafe (I was at a demo in October where we got tear gassed and it was almost a doddle to dodge the cannisters)...

...BUT would it be a total disaster if you got delayed from going home for 2 / 3 days? I doubt anything will happen to cause this. But the delays is going to be as bad as it gets for sensible tourists.

Whatever you do, do not cancel your trip. Even when there wa some fighting with explosives used, tourists were in no way involved. All the fighting that did go on was in very small areas of Bankok and tourists were totally unaffected.

It's all a case of using your common sense just like back home. If there is an area of unrest you simply dont go there! No multiple explosives were used at the airport takeover, it was all peaceful.

99% of solo women travellers to Thailand will be able to tell you that Thailand is safer for such women than it is back home. Yes, don't cancel your trip cause of alarmist second-hand armchair traveller stories!