Pattaya Safe to Visit?

[Guest rentalb123]

Hello Guys,

 

I am scheduled to return to the land of smiles next week. Must say I am a bit concerned about the news reports. How are things in Pattaya? How are things at the airport and travel to Pattaya? Is it safe? Anyone recommend not coming now?

[Gaybutton]

Anyone recommend not coming now?

You mean other than the 47 countries warning people about traveling to Thailand?

 

Actually, I see no reason at all for you not to come to Pattaya. Virtually nothing is going on here and there are no problems of any kind at the airport or the expressway between the airport and Pattaya. You won't be anywhere near the problem areas.

 

That's the way things are now. Of course, no one knows how things will be a week from now, but so far it's as if Pattaya is in a protective bubble. Absolutely nothing is out of the ordinary here and as I've said several times, if it wasn't for the news media and television, you wouldn't have any idea anything is happening at all.

 

Tourist numbers are way down, though. Last night RichLB and I had dinner together in Jomtien and then went to Jomtien Complex for a while. It was almost eerie. In all my time in Thailand I have never seen Jomtien and Jomtien Complex so empty. Even at 3:00am it isn't as empty as it was last night. In Jomtien we saw less than 10 farang at all. Most of the people out and about were the Thai street sellers and bar and restaurant workers, but almost no farang. If RichLB sees this post, I'm sure he'll corroborate what I'm saying.

 

Yesterday a bar boy friend of mine, who normally gets taken off at least once every two or three days came to me for some help (and yes, I did help him and there was no sex involved). He apologized for coming to me for money, but he hasn't been taken off in 18 days and he has no money left even to buy food. I took him shopping for food, some medicine at a pharmacy, and gave him some money.

 

He said nearly all the bar boys are having a very rough time because of the severe drop in tourist numbers. He said there are very few customers and even fewer boys being taken off. He said if this continues, many will have to go back home at the end of the month because there is no way they'll be able to pay the rent on their rooms. This boy lives with his mother and stepfather, so he'll at least still have a place to stay, but they're broke too. But I've also noticed a marked increase in the number of calls I'm getting from boys, many of whom I haven't heard from in ages.

 

In Jomtien Complex there were several farang, but far less than the usual numbers.

 

But that doesn't alter the fact that so far Pattaya is perfectly safe and looks like it will stay that way.

[kokopelli]

I believe I read that some protesters had blocked access to the Port of Laem Chabang not far from Pattaya. It makes me wonder if they may get the idea to close down the airport as was done by the yellow shirts. Although this would not directly affect Pattaya there would be indirect effects as before. Wait and see.

[Gaybutton]

It makes me wonder if they may get the idea to close down the airport as was done by the yellow shirts.

I think that's possible, but highly unlikely, especially since the military seems to be dispersing the protest at this very moment.

 

I can't envision the government permitting another airport takeover and so far the Red-Shirts have given no indication of such an intent. However, things are changing so rapidly now, literally minute by minute, that nothing can be completely ruled out at this point.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I think that's possible, but highly unlikely, especially since the military seems to be dispersing the protest at this very moment.

 

I can't envision the government permitting another airport takeover and so far the Red-Shirts have given no indication of such an intent. However, things are changing so rapidly now, literally minute by minute, that nothing can be completely ruled out at this point.

 

With the Red Shirt leaders all arrested, and taken to an undisclosed location (wonder if Cheney is still there???) I believe that most of the money supply has also been cut off, so other than looting, these folks are probably on a very short timetable...at least we can hope.

 

Also, most are running around leaderless..many angry at their leaders for giving up..and this could make them rather dangerous.

 

Let's hope tomorrow sees an improvement.

[Guest Astrrro]

Tuk Com is closed.

 

Friendship Supermarket is closed.

 

I also hear reports that Central Mall is closed, that's a no brainer.

[Guest]

I reckon even Bangkok is probably safe for any tourist with some nous.

It's not like you are going to be stood in the middle of the protests as the army move in is it?

[Warning: This assessment is reached from 5000 miles away.]

 

Might be worth checking the terms & conditions on your travel insurance, if your own government is advising against travel to Thailand. Ting Tong has a thread on the subject, with some suggestions of where to go for insurance. Would be risky to go without valid medical cover.

[Gaybutton]

I reckon even Bangkok is probably safe

I agree that Pattaya is still safe to visit. But the next question is whether it would be fun for the average holiday maker to visit right now under these circumstances.

 

Today is probably going to be a very difficult day in Pattaya for many. The uncertainty about where the Red-Shirts are going and what they're going to do next. The uncertainty as to whether things are going to get violent in Pattaya. The uncertainty about access to money. The uncertainty about how long the curfew will remain in effect. The uncertainty as to whether there is going to be a serious increase in crime. The idea that if you find a boy, he'll either have to spend the night with you whether you want him or not, or you'll have to have your "liaison" early enough so that he'll have time to return to his room before the 8:00pm curfew starts.

 

Then there are little things such as being forced to have dinner and be back in your room by 8:00pm. Bars that won't be able to open. Having to be at the airport by 8:00pm even though your flight might not be leaving until 5:00 am.

 

If it were me, I would postpone my holiday until I knew whether my holiday would be a fun, relaxing holiday or whether I'm going to end up having my holiday right in the middle of what amounts to a war.

 

In my opinion, no matter what happens now, even if all the hostilities were to cease this very day, it will still take a very long time for Thailand to heal its wounds and for this whole affair to pass into forgotten history.

[Guest]

OK, I suspect you are right about it not being much fun.

 

As for how long the consequences of this go on for, well doesn't that depend on how long the exiled red shirt sponsor continues to interfere?