WICKED DIVING
TRAVEL UPDATE INFORMATION
As part of our ever present emphasis on service and safety - this is the most current information we have on transportation and transit inside Thailand. As this is an ever changing situation, please avoid rumors and check in our reliable sources. Currently the most up to the moment and least prone the sensationalism are the BBC Bloomberg and (this may sound strange) but Al Jazeera is also giving some good serious coverage.
INFORMATION FROM THE TAT (Thailand Tourism Authority)
Important Phone Numbers – 24 hour hotlines
02-253 8844
02-253 5500 ext 1701 – (02,03)
02-652 8313 / 14
The TAT are currently offering possible accommodation to those stranded if you can provide an original copy of your airline ticket.
The Thai Government is routing inbound flights to U-Tapao Airport and Phuket Airport.
Thai Airways may offer outbound flights from these locations as well.
Thai Airways CONTACT INFO:
02 356 1111 or 02 545 4000
There are currently no overstay penalties due to airport closures, providing you show your original airline ticket.
Thai Domestic flights – inbound and outbound are operating normally from Don Mueang International Airport.
Want to get to or from Bangkok? We've got the answers
by Andrew Burke, author of the Bangkok City Guide – Lonely Planet
What's happening in Bangkok?
The Thai government has declared a state of emergency but it only affects Bangkok's two airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang. Unfortunately, that means most flights to or from Thailand have been cancelled. The airports will likely remain closed until at least Sunday November 30, but before making any decision on alternative travel, check the latest at BBC News
Very briefly, the trouble in Bangkok pits the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), in their yellow shirts, against the government and its supporters (in red shirts). The government, led by the People's Power Party and aligned with controversial ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, won an election in December but the PAD accuses them of corruption (among many other things) and wants them out. As such, they occupied the prime minister's residence in August and, in what they are calling the 'final battle', took over and closed down the two airports. They say they won't leave the airports until the government quits. The government is refusing to resign, while the army is refusing to either stage a coup and oust the government, or to clear the protesters out of the airports.
Is it dangerous? Is everything still working?
As is usually the case during a Thai crisis, most of the country just rolls on as if nothing is happening. That's true in Bangkok, where all the usual life support systems (banks, hospitals, hotels, travel agencies, shops, transport) and other services (tourist attractions, bars, restaurants, bars, cosmetic surgeons, spas, bars) remain open. So unless you go looking for trouble, and then get stuck in the middle when the fighting starts, then you'll be perfectly safe.
Having said that, tensions are running very high for those in yellow and red so if you can avoid Bangkok for now, it's a good idea. If things do really kick off here expect to see localised violence on TV. It should go without saying that it's wise to avoid crowds of people in either red or yellow, particularly if you see both at the same scene.
My flight to Bangkok is cancelled, what should I do?
If your leave is booked, holiday planned, and the thought of staying at home is killing you, then you have options. The best one is to change your itinerary so you avoid Bangkok for now and go elsewhere in Thailand or the region. You can always come to Bangkok later in your trip, once everything is back to normal. Whatever you choose, you'll need to get to southeast Asia without flying to Bangkok....
How else can I fly to, from or around Thailand and southeast Asia?
Speak to your airline, travel agent and/or travel insurance provider and try to change your flight to or from either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, both of which are hubs for regional low-cost airlines. From Kuala Lumpur AirAsia flies to Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai in Thailand, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Vientiane in Laos, plus loads of cities in Malaysia, Indonesia and China.
From Singapore, you can fly with Jetstar or Tiger Airways to Phuket, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Yangon in Burma, plus numerous destinations in Malaysia and Indonesia.
For the beaches of southern Thailand your best bet is Phuket. If you want to travel in north or northeastern Thailand, try flying via these hubs to Siem Reap or Vientiane, then going overland.
I'm a tourist in Bangkok, get me out of here!
Stuck in Bangkok? Take some comfort from the fact you're not alone, it's a great excuse for being late back to work and however you end up travelling will make a much more interesting story than a boring old on-time flight. And think of all those greenhouse gases you'll save! Of course, it's okay to be 'totally %&$*@# pissed off' like the guy we met at Suvarnabhumi yesterday.
So what are your options?
TRAIN
Thai trains are cheap, comfortable and regular. For the islands and beaches the southern line takes you straight to Hua Hin, to Ko Tao via a ferry from Chumphon, and to Ko Samui and Ko Pha Ngan via Surat Thani and a ferry. If you're heading way south to the islands of Ko Turatao or Ko Lanta, take the overnight services to Trang.
The northern line runs to Chiang Mai via Ayuthaya and a host of other mid-size cities. Take the northeastern line to Udon Thani and the Laos capital of Vientiane, via Nong Khai, or to Surin and Ubon Ratchathani, from where it's easy to cross to Pakse in southern Laos. And the eastern line goes to Aranyaprathet and the Cambodian border twice daily – take the 5.55am train and you'll get to either Siem Reap or Phnom Penh in a day, assuming you don't get screwed at Poipet.
The southern line continues into Malaysia and onto Singapore; check out the details here.
Train tickets can be bought at stations or through travel agencies (for a small extra fee).
BUS
Thai buses are more frequent than trains and (usually) marginally cheaper, and they run pretty much everywhere. Buses operate to/from Bangkok's three main bus terminals and also, in the case of private services, from hotels and areas like Khao San Rd.
We recommend calling (or getting someone at your hotel or guesthouse to call) the terminals below to find out when the buses are leaving and whether there are any seats left (demand is high).
• Southern bus terminal (aka Sai Tai Mai, tel 0 2435 1200) Buses to all points south – hello Phuket, Surat Thani, Krabi, Hat Yai.
• Eastern bus terminal (tel 0 2391 6846 or 0 2391 2237, via Ekamai BTS) To Pattaya, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat and other points east.
• Northern (tel 0 2936 2852 ext 311/442) and Northeastern (tel 0 2936 2852 ext 611/448) bus terminals. To Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nong Khai (for Vientiane), Ubon Ratchathani (for Pakse in Laos), Poipet (for Cambodia) and everywhere else north and northeast.
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