Army invokes martial law

[TotallyOz]

But, don't worry, the Generals say this is not a coup.

 

http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/410719/army-invokes-martial-law

 

Will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

[Guest frequentflier]

this is sad and will hit tourism.No one wants to visit a country under martial law.

[KhorTose]

this is sad and will hit tourism.No one wants to visit a country under martial law.

Z is correct. This voids most travelers insurance policies. I just checked my blue cross and it seems to void that if I am hurt in a demonstration or civil uprising. Well thanks to Vietnam we will probably get a lot more Chinese visitors.

[KhorTose]

The military just imposed a 09:00 PM curfew on Thailand. Last time in Chiang Mai it was not enforced. What is going to happen to soi4 in Bangkok? It looks like many of you will be stuck with diet coke.

[TotallyOz]

Z is correct. This voids most travelers insurance policies. I just checked my blue cross and it seems to void that if I am hurt in a demonstration or civil uprising. Well thanks to Vietnam we will probably get a lot more Chinese visitors.

I am curious, does this only void the things that happen as a RESULT of the riots or just anything that you need in the country while here?

 

I ask as I also have Blue Cross / Blue Shield. Thanks.

[TotallyOz]

PS I am sorry for the incorrect information. Martial law was not just declared, it has been in existence for a while. The Thai Military had a misspelling. They thought Partial Law and Martial Law were the same.

[ChristianPFC]

There is no curfew:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-19/thai-military-declares-martial-law-to-curb-protests-denies-coup.html

 

Soldiers and military vehicles were on the streets of the capital Bangkok, although no curfew had been imposed.

[TMax]

I must get around all the wrong places, have been out and about most of the day and not even seen a single soldier.

[Guest Promsak]

The military just imposed a 09:00 PM curfew on Thailand. Last time in Chiang Mai it was not enforced. What is going to happen to soi4 in Bangkok? It looks like many of you will be stuck with diet coke.

There is no curfew in most of Thailand --- where has this come from? I can't swear for the deep south which has had its own restrictions for months.

And KhorThose fear not  about Soi 4. I've lived here through coups and martial laws and have never seen any restrictions on soi 4 or any other gay areas.

[KhorTose]

Glad to hear that. The curfew was announced on American Television and I got a line message from Bob telling me about it. He must be watching Fox news again.

[Guest imkeev]

Hi guys.. So does all of these mean that it is still safe to visit Bangkok? Gonna visit Bangkok in a month time.. Hope it will be interesting though.. especially at the moment i'm feeling very much excited to go there for the first time and will do more explorations on the gay world..

[Guest]

Well, if I were flying to Thailand this week, I would not even consider changing the plans.  

The Thai military have plenty of experience of these matters.

 

If my insurance policy did not cover demonstrations or civil uprising, I would merely take care to keep a safe distance from such events.

[Guest Promsak]

I got a line message from Bob telling me about it. He must be watching Fox news again.

You must stop Bob watching Fox --- it'll send him blind (or mad).

I've recently got Al Jazeera here on True Visions; it seems to have the most unbiassed coverage on news TV (and nice to see many ex BBC anchors).

 

I'm a bit intrigued about the position of people with travel insurance at times of martial law and suchlike. I read that insurance policies will be invalidated if the home country has issued a travel warning. Does this invalidate ALL claims (such as being knocked over by a motorcycle on a pedestrian crossing) or only incidents if one is involved in demonstrations etc.

I also wonder if the insurance companies refund the fees for invalidated policies (I don't really wonder --- I think that I know the answer).

[Guest Promsak]

Sorry to have jumped in so quickly; I see that Michael has already asked this question.

Where is Traveller Jim when you need him? He knows about these things.

[ChristianPFC]

No curfew (confirmed by a Thai friend). There were traffic delays from Ramkhamhaeng into town (info from Thai friend) due to a roadblock by the army, and I saw soldiers along Ladprao last night.

[NIrishGuy]

I think there's a world of difference between a travel warning or advisory which is intended simply to update it's citizens of certain possible risks in Country and give general advice as to how to lessen those risks as opposed to a formal "advising their citizens NOT to travel to a Country" that applies here.

 

In my understanding the first is just purely helpful advice issued as a service by your Government and this ongoing advice does not affect your travel insurance in any way ( although I'm guessing that if you blatantly ignored that advice and perhaps ended up getting shot while visiting protest sites right in the middle of a riot etc, then your choices whilst there may well give your insurers some grounds for contesting your cover later on on your return maybe, hence I believe it's only the specific "do not travel to" advice that actually invalidates your cover perhaps if you chose to ignore it.

[Bob]

Alright, alright, I heard about the alleged curfew from the beloved in CM.  On the other hand, maybe he has ESP as you sure as heck have a curfew now!

 

Now remember, you toads, be home by 10PM or I'll send Sgt. Gomer Somchai Pyle out to get you!