shanek

Amongst all the tragic events that surround the Bangkok flood situation, lies a question that many travellers are currently pondering. Should all travel to Bangkok be deferred until after the water subsides and the clean up process has been completed?

The Authorities have put much effort into ensuring that the CBA remains uneffected, a battle that they seem to be winning. Some of the methods employeed have been heavily criticized due to the resultant slowing of the drainning process in some areas already underwater.

This decision has been made to try and protect the cities financial and industrial infrastructure, but also to help ease any affect on an industry that contributes around 6% to Thailands GDP....Tourism.

With many Bangkokians abandoning their homes and heading to dryer areas, businesses that were already partially reliant on the tourist dollar will struggle to survive if the tourists stop coming. Many of these people will end up worse off than those directly affected by the floods as aid and insurance will not cover their losses.

Personally, I would absolutely love to jump on a plane and combine my usual vacation activities with any practical volunteering efforts at a Flood Relief Centre. Unfortunately, my present circumstances will not allow this to happen.

What I would like to do is to encourage anyone who currently thinking of postponing their trip to think again.

If you want more in-depth information of what is actually happening in Bangkok, sign up for twitter, if you dont already have an account, and follow #ThaiFloodEng . This will help give you a better picture of what are the "no go zones" and where you can avoid danger. There are also plenty of links to both domestic and foreign news stories on the issues facing Bangkok.

I would also encourage anyone who is currently in Bangkok or has recently returned, to share their personal experience on this thread.

This news story in yesterdays Bangok Post, even though dealing with the entertainment industry specifically, could just as well be written about inner city guesthouses, restaraunts, massage salons, tailors, travel agents, tour guides or market stall holders...... http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/inve...ws-the-big-wet

Please consider all the facts before cancelling your trip. There are many people effected in many different ways and there are other avenues available to you to assist than just purely donating money.

simpsonc510

Your linked article was very interesting. Thank you for that. DS says that a pool tournament that he would have played in (Sukhumvit area) on Halloween was cancelled because of lack of bottled water. Serious pool players drink water, not so much of the beer and/or whiskey that are also in very short supply. Anyway, an interesting take on the situation.

I am happy to report that my family will not change holiday plans in any way. We have reservations for 2 1/2 weeks in Bangkok (with a 2-night stay in Hua Hin over the new year period).

I have no doubts whatsoever that there will be parts of Thailand that are still recovering from the flood waters and the mess they leave behind. Bangkok and Hua Hin will be getting our dollars as we look forward to our 4th year in a row in Thailand at this holiday time of the year.

Kathie

It isn't a straight-forward matter. The questions of how to support the Thai people but not strain an infrastructure that already can't accommodate all the people who need assistance (or even who need bottled water) is complex. I also want to support Bangkok with my tourist dollars. We are scheduled to arrive in Bangkok on Nov 16. After long and careful deliberation, we have chosen to shorten our time in Bangkok, though we are still going.

I would hope that by mid-December the situation should be much better.

Of course, if you are heading to areas outside of Bangkok, it should be no problem now or in Dec.

shanek

There are even ambiguous reports on the bottled water issue Kathy. One reporter on twitter claims his local 7/11 had so much water in stock and so few people to sell to that he was forced to put it on SALE.

Kathie

lol, given the many other reports, that seems unlikely. However, in disasters, distribution is always a problem. So if that store got supplies destined for stores they couldn't deliver it to, that is possible. Though why he didn't send it to areas that were desperate for bottled water is beyond me.

shanek

If I was there and came across that situation, I would purchase a few crates and deliver it to a relief centre. I think any tourist there would find small opportunities like that where they could help.

shanek

There is a workshop to assist prospective volunteers, with any questions they may have, being run at 2pm Bangkok time today.

The location of the workshop is K SME CARE KNOWLEDGE CENTRE....2nd floor Jamchuree Square Bangkok.

Here is a link for more information... http://googlethailand.blogspot.com/2...ailand_03.html

shanek

Tong and her team of guides have been using their "down-time", which with the amount of tourists cancelling trips is more than usual, to help the Red Cross distribute care packages.

If you are going to Bangkok, why not combine a tour of the Grand Palace with something similar? http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set...7065880&type=1

shanek

The international media has been blamed for the lack of tourists, due to repeatedly showing images of a Thai Airways plane grounded at Don Mueang Airport..... http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...ges-misleading

simpsonc510

Shane, that is what I was trying to point out on the other thread. The reports of continuing airport traffic and the ability to get to the CBD are few and far between. Thank you for that link!!

shanek

That's right Carol.

That is why I was trying to encourage alternate viewpoints on that thread.

I am hoping that other will see fit to add their own experiences so that people considering if they should go or not can get a balanced view.

Are you still there mcbg1?

rhkkmk

i think there are two sides to this... if no tourists come, there are no jobs. but i can also appreciate the shortages. why not try to visit the other parts of thailand where there are no problems and stay in bkk either not at all or just for a few days.

shanek

Thats missing the point. It is businesses in Bangkok that are hurting. The other parts of Thailand are full to the brim with locals escaping Bangkok.

qwovadis

travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html

For the US a travel alert exists that has not been lifted

Post flooding risk of water borne illness quite high

Also Dengue so an abundance of caution and insuremytrip.com

ALWAYS wise for me.. mdtravelhealth.com Thailand

So caveat emptor some great deals though currently.

Cattail

I've been closely watching these threads, and greatly appreciate the updates and the various points of view. In two months my husband and I will be traveling through Bangkok en-route to other areas of Thailand. Except for a weekend in Chiang Mai, I believe that we'll be enough out of the tourist circuit not to strain resources. It's the getting to and from that I'm most concerned about.

I rather like shanek's idea of combining a vacation trip with volunteering. This is what we intend to do if we do somehow end up in an affected area.

crellston

qwovadis - you continue to push "insuremytrip" as a panacea for all problems which may befall travellers. However, many insurers will not cover known risks which were in existence before the policy was purchased. Purchasing insurance after the event could therefore prove to be a waste of money.

shanek

Here is the latest "Flood Graphic".... http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...floods-graphic

More here... http://www.bangkokgis.com/flood/inde...pper&Itemid=87

shanek

Chang Mai trains running again but spare seats are scarce...
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nati...-30169383.html

shanek

Amazing video of a modified motorbike travelling through the floods...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Arp7NjAJ3U

shanek

A report from todays Sydney Morning Herald...
http://m.smh.com.au/world/tourists-l...107-1n3s2.html