US Gov't Urges Caution in Thailand

[Faust Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Faust]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government alerted Americans who live in Thailand or plan to travel there to be aware of a spate of deadly bombings in the capital Bangkok that occurred around midnight New Year's Eve.

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In a public announcement, the State Department said six foreign tourists were injured in two bombings in the early hours of Jan. 1. It said the U.S. Embassy had confirmed that no Americans were injured.

In Bangkok, authorities said the explosions killed three people and wounded close to 40. Bomb scares and threats continued in Bangkok, but no further explosive devices were found.

The State Department said because of the uncertainty of the situation in Bangkok, all Americans residing in or traveling to Bangkok should "continue to monitor events closely, to remain indoors when possible, to avoid any large public gatherings and to exercise discretion when moving about Bangkok." It noted that explosions so far were confined to the capital and had touched none of the Southeast Asian nation's popular other tourist areas.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

That's Thailand off the list as well as Fiji!

[Hoc Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Hoc]

And for those who own at Marriott-Phuket, you might be concerned about the continued stability of the government there, and the security of your ownership interest.

[khun hunter Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close khun hunter]

Stability In Thailand

I have traveled through and lived in the Kingdom of Thailand for over 20 yrs. this sort of periodic but tame unrest has come and gone more than once. But do not fear or worry about traveling through or staying in this wonderful country filled will smilling gentle people.
If I might add, to enrich your travels there take a train ride up to Chang Mai and visit the ancient capital of Thailand, take an elephant trek through one of the many nature parks. Go deep sea fishing or scuba diving in the South or just enjoy some of the best food in the world at outrageously low prices.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

Hunter -- I agree with you 100% about Thailand. They don't call it "The Land of a Thousand Smiles" for nothing! Of the few times I have been there, I have always found it to be one of the most inviting places I have ever been. It is not so much the sights (although beautiful), but the people that I have enjoyed the most during my visits. I can't think of any other place that I have visited where the people have been so friendly.

As for putting it "off the list" because of some unrest, I guess the US should be "off the list" because we have more violence every day than most countries.

Kurt

[brother coony Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brother coony]

I third ---Hunter & Pigsdad
I love to travel over seas and get rile when I am taking a trip and some one ask is it safe there, MY respond is normaly: I live in the USA in NY where we have home invasion every day,our kids or been molested, Violence is every where here and they say most victim of violence is in ones neighborhood ,
so the futher away I go from by neighborhood the safer I feel
Now that does not meen that I throw caution to the wind when I travel, I go ,have a ball but make sure I am awere of my surrounding