Foreign Nations Evacuate Nationals
Foreign nations have rushed to evacuate their
nationals being stranded in Thailand after anti-government
protesters closed down Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.
Click
here for more from The Nation's website...
Utapao Airport
A tiny ex-military airbase is being used as
an alternative to Bangkok Airport. Some major airlines,
including El Al, have revised routes to fly out Utapao
International Airport near Pattaya. Of course, travel
agents in the Khao San Road area are organizing buses
up to Utapao,
but they are certainly not leaving at the same frequency
they did to Suvarnabhumi, with some buses only leaving
at midnight.
Current Situation
Efforts by the Thai police to clear protestors
from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport have apparently failed
and, according to many reports, up to 100,000 travellers
are unable to leave the country. Of course, flights
into the country have been cancelled, leaving the travel
plans of many in complete tatters. Although there is
no violence at the airport, the situation remains protracted
and a solution a long way off. Obviously, there is considerable
concern for relatives and loved ones unable to leave
the country, and we have received a deluge of reports
for our Missing Person's pages. To reassure those concerned,
the world's media is duty bound to report the facts,
and those are that clashes between rival supporters
have taken place. Unfortunately, when the see these
reports the perception can be that there is ongoing
chaos and every street corner is strewn with danger.
That really isn't the case. Just to reassure people,
although there is obvious need for precaution, Bangkok
and Thailand remain generally peaceful, if extremely
tense, and we believe your loved ones are not in any
immediate danger.
For information on all matters related
to the current situation, and for travel in Thailand,
your first stop must be the travel advisories offered
by your respective
embassies. However, the following hotline has been
set up for airport enquiries:
(66) 02-1321882 and (66) 02-1321888
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has
set up this
factsheet which is keeping abreast of current events
in Thailand.
Local and international press to look
at include:
Local:
Bangkok
Post
The
Nation
International:
BBC
CNN
We are not really equipped for the avalanche
of enquiries we have received recently, which is why
we may have not dealt with hotel / guesthouse enquiries
as effectively as we should, so apologies for that.
However, we will do our best to help people get in touch
with loved ones who may be staying on Khao San Road.
For this purpose, email
me directly or Skype us on khaosanroad.com. For
those looking for alternative routes out of the country,
visit our travel agents section and contact local
travel agencies. There are queues of people waiting
for buses on KSR, but demand is being catered for.
Mumbai Terror Attacks
In a world gone increasingly nuts, "terrorists"
(it is unclear who the perpetrators were) have been
on the rampage in Mumbai, India, killing around 170
people (according to current reports). Foreigners -
particularly Americans and British - were specifically
targeted, as were members of the city's Jewish community
- the local Chabad House was one of 10 sites attacked
and put under siege. Another site attacked was Leopold
Cafe in the Colaba district of Mumbai, a favourite haunt
of backpackers in India, many of whom many were amongst
the fatalities. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the
families and loved ones of all those who died in this
brutal act. See the above international media for updates
on the events there.
808... Go Off-road!
808 is a well cool club but you are going
to have to get off KSR to enjoy it... Click here to
find out why you should - 808
Bangkok.
Missing Person...
Rainer
Kocherscheidt writes: "I'm looking for my step-son
SURIYAN NAKNAKA, 19 years old, from Bangkok/Bang Yai,
slim, born April 12th. He hasn't checked in at home
for more than 3 months. Presumably he has slipped into
some sort of (gothic) subculture. We would highly appreciate
any information on his whereabouts. If he could just
drop his grandmother a line, we would be relieved."
Anyone know Suriyan? If so, please send Rainer an email.
Click here for more Mission
Persons in Thailand and the region.
One Week in Thailand?
Most people plan their trips to Thailand
as part of a larger Southeast Asian travel circuit,
visiting many countries in a limited period of time.
Thailand's diversity and beauty gives visitors plenty
of travel options. You could spend years exploring its
jungles, beaches, and urban temples. For the backpacker
who wants to see it all, planning an itinerary might
be stressful. Here, khaosanroad.com offers sample one-week
routes in Thailand, to fit different traveller’s needs.
Enjoy. Is Anne Merritt the new Jules Verne? Read "One
Week in Thailand?"
Taxi From Aiport...
Sonja
writes: "As the airportbus is not running 24 hours,
does anyone know how much the taxi fare is to Khao San
Road?" Anyone? Let
us know, too.
Q Bar... Get Off-Road...
Q Bar is one of Bangkok's best clubs,
and they're being a bit proactive as far as beating
the credit crunch is concerned... Click here for more
on
Q Bar.
Banglumpoo Place...
...has extended its promotion to 31 December 2008! Check
it out! A great guest
house near Khao San Road!
How to Meet Local People...
It’s
amazing – people come to Thailand to broaden their horizons
and learn as much as they can about a new culture, and
the only interaction they have with the locals is the
occasional word with Hlaing as he is tidying up your
table... and it’s only on your last day you find out
that Hlaing is actually from Rangoon. So, how do you
get to meet the locals? Well, intrepid reporter Anne
Merritt points us in the right direction. Click here
to read “How
to Meet Local People”.
Fairtex Muay Thai Courses in Samutprakarn...
Fancy yourself as a contender? You'd better get some
Muay Thai (Thai boxing) training then. Luckily Fairtex,
probably the most recognized name in the sport, has
a training center in Bangplee, going towards the airport.
Accommodation, state-of-the-art training facilities,
and some of the world's best trainers await you. Whether
you just want and afternoon learning Thai boxing or
want to get up there with the champions, Fairtex Bangplee
has the options for you. Click here to learn more about
Fairtex
Bangplee Thai Boxing Training Center.
