What to do if stranded in Pattaya

[PattayaMale]

This morning I talked to 2 farangs that were suppose to leave and go back to their home country yesterday. They were actually leaving their hotel to check into a cheaper one since money was getting low. Both were to be back to work and were afraid they may lose their jobs if not back soon. They said they had called their employer and were assured that their job would be there but reminded them that they can not pay them for missed days.

 

They didn't mind staying of course but said they could not really afford it.

 

I remember when I was younger (2 years ago) I would almost drain my bank account while on vacation in Pattaya and had to really scrimp until I got paid again. I have great empathy for those that do as I did.

[Gaybutton]

I've brought up this very problem on other threads. If I had to be stuck somewhere, I wouldn't mind it being Pattaya, but if you have no money to at least enjoy it, then it can be a nightmare with everything so near, yet so far.

 

If they have a credit card, they might want to get a cash advance. They might also be able to get their credit card company to raise their credit limit due to an emergency situation.

 

There is also a rather unscrupulous way of getting cash without doing a cash advance and paying the hefty fees credit card companies charge for it. Some of the gold shops will sell you some gold, but what they are actually selling is cash. They'll write a ticket for an equivalent value of a certain weight of gold, put it through as a sale but actually give you cash. They keep a small percentage for themselves. Not all gold shops are willing to do this, but I know that some will. I was with a friend who did that about a year and a half ago and saw for myself.

 

They might also try contacting their embassy. I don't know what, if anything, the embassy can do, but they might have some suggestions for people stranded and are out of money.

 

If they have anyone back home who can help them, it's expensive, but there's always Western Union.

 

If it looks like this is going to drag on for an extended period of time, they might want to consider renting a condo or an inexpensive room. They would have to pay for at least a full month, but if it's going to be weeks before they can go home (and even if the airports are cleared an hour from now it could take that long to fly people home) it would save them quite a bit of money instead of staying in hotels. They might even be able to negotiate with their hotel, or another hotel, for a less expensive room rate. The hotel may not like it, but it's better than having empty rooms, which would very likely be the case if tourists can't even get to Thailand.

 

Immigration has announced they are going to waive overstay fines for those who can show evidence they were among the stranded, rather than someone trying to take advantage of this situation. It wouldn't hurt for them to go to Immigration and ask if they have any advice for people who are running out of money or maybe have already run out. They could also try contacting the police and the TAT (Tourist Authority of Thailand) for advice.

 

Without knowing how much longer this is going to go on, or how long it will take to be able to go home once this ends, I would advise them to do what they can to be prepared to have to remain here for at least three more weeks.

 

If they run out of money completely, with no way to obtain more, I don't know what they're going to do.

 

It's going to be a serious problem for some people. They'll be forced to spend more than they can afford or even run out of money while stranded here. Then they'll go home only to be faced with no money for the days of work they missed.

 

Some holiday! I wouldn't blame these people if the farthest they ever go from home on a holiday again is ten miles.

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

No Way Out

 

By Chatrudee Theparat and Chadamas Chinmaneevong

 

Almost 100,000 foreign tourists are still unable to return home, but the number of passengers stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport may double or triple if the situation is prolonged.

 

U-tapao airport has been used as a gateway for sending foreign visitors home. As of yesterday afternoon, six flights had taken off. The flights will increase to 15 today and 48 tomorrow. Aircraft capacity is about 300 passengers per flight.

 

Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand would serve as check-in venues. Airlines will announce hotels for their check-ins today. Imperial Queen's Park and Holiday Inn are on stand-by to accept passengers checking in for flights. Passengers would then be taken by bus to U-tapao.

 

The Tourism and Sport Ministry would need at least 200 million baht a day, based on 2,000 baht per head for accommodation and meals, as expenses for stranded tourists, according to Minister Weerasak Kohsurat.

 

He said previous figures showed that about 30,000 foreign visitors fly into Thailand via Suvarnabhumi airport each day.

 

"Once the People's Alliance for Democracy protesters leave the airport, authorities will need time to restart operations. If the protest is prolonged, stranded foreign visitors may reach 200,000-300,000," Mr Weerasak said.

 

The ministry will ask cabinet to get money from the Budget Bureau. Currently, it has only 10 million baht in initial funds. Yesterday, it called a meeting of 14 airlines, state agencies and the private sector to discuss measures to help foreign visitors get home.

 

Airlines showing readiness to use U-tapao include Lufthansa, EVA Air, Scandinavian, and Canadian airlines.

 

About 2,000 buses would take passengers to U-tapao, a trip of about three hours. U-tapao will also be for incoming flights from abroad. Stranded Thai travellers should contact their local Thai embassy or Thai Airways agent.

 

They can also fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and from there to Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi.

 

Thai Travel Agents Association president Charoen Wangananont said the association is checking how many Thai travellers are stranded overseas. The Foreign Affairs, and Tourism and Sport ministries will help Thais stranded overseas by offering accommodation and meals until the airports reopen.

 

Wirote Sitaprasertnand, president of the Professional Tourists Guide Association, said some Thai travellers left in neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, China, and Laos are arriving by land.

 

Some Thai travellers on long-haul routes have taken flights to neighbouring countries and then caught flights to Chiang Mai or Phuket.

 

He said tour agents are facing problems as airlines from China refuse to give refunds. "They say it's not their mistake, but Thailand's problem. Now operators are negotiating to postpone flights instead of cancelling," he said.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

One of your only choices may be to take a Bangkok Air flight from U-Tapao to either Phuket or Koh Samu, and then get a flight on from there. However, I am sure that seats are at a premium, and I don't know if Bangkok Air can maintain those flights if Bangkok stays closed, as I believe that is their maintenance center???

 

 

[fedssocr]

I haven't found out yet how this Bt2000/day per stranded person payment is working, but it seems like that would help these guys a lot. Not sure who if making the payments or anything like that but it sounds like maybe it is processed through the hotel operator? A cheap hotel room for two should leave plenty of cash left over for meals and other expenses.

[PattayaMale]

I am surprised that no Pattaya hotels are listed for check-in since it is only 45 minutes to Utapao. Having to leave Pattaya and go to Bangkok and then have a 3 hour trip back adds some insult to this whole mess. Possibly people can check-in at Utapao?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

If they have a credit card, they might want to get a cash advance. They might also be able to get their credit card company to raise their credit limit due to an emergency situation.

 

Given the credit problems in the US, this doesn't seem like a plan that will work.