The worst is over and order has been restored to Bangkok. So is it safe to travel to Thailand again? The answer depends on a few factors. Truth be told, even with all the coverage on the international television about the protests and violence in Bangkok, if you were not in the main areas of the protest you were still safe, and wouldn’t have known what was going on if not for the TV. Areas like Pattaya, Phuket, and Ko Samui, were not effected by the turmoil of Bangkok at all, except for the curfew.

That being said, things could have taken a turn for the worse and gone to all out civil war had the conditions been different. It is always easy to look back and make a judgment call. I feel that our advice earlier to avoid Thailand for the time being was sound. Looking at the destruction and curfew that took over in most of the country, you got a glimpse of the nastiness that could have been much, much, worse.

For the time being it appears to be safe to travel to Thailand once again. The main storm has blown over. However, the underlying problems still remain. I won’t go into explaining the undercurrents of what is happening there, there are many opinions on that matter, and several posts could be written about it. But knowing that the problem in Thailand is still unresolved, it is best to keep updated on the situation there until your trip or vacation has come and gone. The Bangkok Post website is a good way to get up to date news. As well as the local news websites of your favorite destination of Pattaya or Phuket.

Now, bear in mind, just because the turmoil in the streets of Bangkok has been squashed, doesn’t mean that your government has yet to lift it’s travel advisories. Take a look at your State Departments website to see if their travel advisory is still on. Here are the links to the U.S. and U.K. travel advisories.

Why do you care about travel advisories? The most important reason is travel insurance. Most policies won’t make good on any claims where your government has issued a travel warning about going to Thailand. You need to have insurance when traveling abroad and certainly to Thailand. Accidents happen and you need to be covered. Make sure you check with your travel insurance company about whether you are going to be covered by your policy.

The streets are clear, the curfew is gone (well it’s almost gone and maybe by the weekend), and it is safe to travel to Thailand again. There is still rebuilding that needs to be done, not only the brick and mortar kind, but also the fabric of a country slowly being torn apart. Watch your government’s travel advisories, check your insurance policy, and watch the Thai news sites to keep updated. Things change, and they don’t usually make international headlines till they are on the verge of something nasty.

The last few days has seen the escalations of the protests and violence in Bangkok Thailand.  This country has been through protests and military coups before, and up till a few days ago, I thought this was pretty much more of the same.  But my opinion has changed, it seems to me that this is a country on the brink.

This is a Thailand travel site, so let’s address those heading off to the Land of Smiles for a vacation.  I’ve seen protestants in Thailand before, I was there when the Suvarnabhumi airport was closed by the Yellow Shirts, and again when the Red Shirts were violently protesting last year.

Those of us who travel to Thailand on a regular basis come to accept this as a normal course of the strange form of democracy they have in Thailand.  It doesn’t bother us, and if you aren’t in the thick of things in Bangkok you wouldn’t even know any unrest was going on if not for the news.  This is different.

If you are planning on making a trip to Thailand in the immediate future it is time to start thinking about changing those plans.  Postpone them if you can, cancel them if you have to, but things have gotten worse and could degrade even further.  It is not worth your safety to make the trip, this isn’t the same old protests we have seen in the past.  It is some of the worse violence in decades.

The U.S. and U.K. embassies are shutting down, and evacuating all non-essential personnel, which is never a good sign.  Granted their embassies are in the hot zone, but these governments have staffed their embassies through the many protests in the past, they must see that things could spiral out of control.

There are travel advisories issued for Thailand from most western nations.  Your medical or travel insurance will most likely be void if you are injured in Thailand during this time.

Protests and unrest are now spreading to the other provinces.  The Red Shirt Power lies in these rural provinces.  The government has called a recent State of Emergency in these areas as well.  There was a disturbance in Chiang Mai at the Air Force base recently.  And the potential remains for the violence to go national.  This could be a country on the brink of civil war – though we hope that this is not the case.

If you are going to ignore the travel advisory to Thailand and go anyway, make sure you use precautions.  Stay away from the protest areas in Bangkok.  It is best if you head out of the city all together to places like Phuket, Koh Samui, or Pattaya.  Although there are reports from people on the ground in Pattaya that they are starting to see some protestors show their colors.

Your travel insurance is non-existent at this point.  Make sure you have ID and some spare cash on you at all times, “just in case” something bad happens.

Also, if things go haywire it is good to have a backup plan to get your ass out of the country.  I know many people don’t want to think about these things, but consider an exfil route out of the country if things go bad.  If the airports are closed, how else would you get out of the country?  Think about it now, so if things really do hit the fan, you have a good idea of where to go.  Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.

As much as I hate it, it is time to reconsider your travel plans to Thailand.  And if you are a tourist thinking about braving all this for a drink and a shag, do yourself a favor and wait it out till things settle down.  The beer and the girls will be waiting for you next month.

Photo: Moomettesgram

Whether you are traveling on business or a fun filled vacation holiday to Thailand, you will want to stay in touch, either with friends and family back home, or any new friends you meet on your travels.  One of the top questions from new travelers seems to be “can I use my mobile phone in Thailand?”  The short answer is yes, however there are more than a few details that need to be addressed.  How you plan on using your cell phone, what type of phone, and what type of network all can affect whether or not you can use your cell in Thailand.

Most of this information is geared towards Americans, as they have a few more mobile challenges to look after than say Europeans who want to use their phones in Thailand.  However, the information applies to anyone, from any country so it may be good to have a read if this is your first trip and your not sure if your cell or mobile will work in Pattaya, or any other parts of Thailand.

How do you want to use your cell phone in Thailand?
There are two basic scenarios here.  Do you simply want to bring your mobile phone to Pattaya so that friends and family can reach you from back home, make a few phone calls home, and maybe a couple locally?  Then you just need to ensure that your phone and network will work in Thailand.  I’ll cover how to do that in a little bit.

This is going to be the most expensive options, as you will be paying the long distance, international rates with your cell phone provider.  It will be cheaper and easier for people from your home country to get in touch with you as they already know your number, and it is like dialing a local call for them.  Not a bad option if your call will be few, or for emergencies only.

The second option is you want a working mobile phone in Thailand, so you can call and text/SMS your friends.  Whether they be that new Thai girl you just met, or one of your buddies you are on holiday with. In this scenario you will swap out your cell phone’s SIM card for a Thai SIM, and buy prepaid minutes.  This is just like a pay-as-you-go phone in the US and Europe.

It is cheaper for local calls in Pattaya but not very reasonable to make international calls back home.  It is also more expensive for your friends and family to call you from abroad.  But it does give them just one number to dial in Thailand should you be moving around on vacation.  They will be able to reach you in Pattaya, Phuket, or any place there is cell service instead of trying to contact the hotel.

What type of mobile phone works in Thailand?
Thailand uses a GSM network, so your cell phone needs to be on this type of network also.  It is pretty standard around the world, however not all companies in the US use a GSM.  Some carriers like Sprint and Verizon still use the CDMA network.

This is problematic because a CDMA phone will not work on a GSM network and the CDMA phones don’t use SIM cards.  So these phones won’t work with either option I mentioned above.  However it is a good idea to check with your cell provider just to be sure, some of them do still issue world phones that maybe compatible.

Now if you have a GSM carrier like AT&T or T-mobile you are one step closer.  However you need to make sure your cell phone is compatible overseas, and Thailand in particular.  The US uses two different bands than the rest of the world (we always have to be different).

The US uses 850 and 1900 for its networks (850 is often referred to as 800 but it is the same thing).  Thailand uses mainly 1800 (with some 900/1900).  One band will not work with the other, it is like trying to pick up an AM radio station on an FM radio – it’s not going to happen.  So what does that mean to you?

You need a phone that is Tri-band or Quad-Band.  Most smart phones are Quad-Band these days, but you should always check with your cell provider.  The Quad Band phones cover all 4 networks and will work anywhere – these are known as world phones.  If you have a tri-band phone, make sure the third band is 1800.  That will give you the best coverage option.  A lot of us phones are dual-band and will not work in Thailand.  Once again, check your model number online, or call your mobile carrier to confirm.

Ok, now that you’ve done all that and know your phone will work in Thailand.  You can either use your home service or proceed to the next step and learn…

How to Use a Thai SIM in My Mobile Phone?
Swapping out SIM Cards is easy, and will in effect turn your cell phone into a Thai mobile.  Take note that once you swap out your home SIM you can no longer receive calls on that number till you put it back in.

The easiest way to buy a Thai SIM and activate it is to head to one of the local shopping malls and find an electronics store.  If you are in Bangkok you could head over to the MBK, or in Pattaya you can easily find them at TUK Com, Royal Garden, or one of the other malls.

There are two main options for Thai SIM cards.  12Call and DTAC.  I’ve only ever used 12Call and have been quite happy with them.  Though I know many others who have used DTAC and seem to be just as satisfied.  I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either option.

The store will usually give you a selection of numbers to choose from.  I look for one that may be easy to remember, though I rarely do.  When you purchase you SIM card, the store clerk will help you install it and get it activated.  You can probably do it yourself, however I find it easier to let them do it, in case there are voice prompts in Thai.

Topping up your Thai SIM
You will also want to purchase some additional minutes.  These topup cards are sold by the amount of Baht.  100, 300, 500, for example.  Using these cards to top up your Thai mobile are pretty easy.  You scratch of the number on the back of the card, follow the instructions (written in English as well as Thai) and plug the numbers into the phone.  With in seconds you’ll get an SMS telling you your card is now charged.  All these messages also come over in English so you won’t have any problems.

If you need to charge or topup your Thai SIM while you are in Pattaya, they can be purchased in most 7-11 and Family Mart stores.  And they seem to have one or two on every street.

Once you get things sorted out it is really quite a simple process to use your mobile phone in Thailand.  It’s the up front research that can be a bit of work.  If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask.

We here at Thailand Essentials believe it is very important to have a well thought out plan before you head off on your adventure.  We will cover the most important aspects of what you need to know, and do in this article.  Traveling halfway around the world to a foreign land is exhilarating, but also a little scary if you are a new traveler.  If you are traveling solo, then I expect you may have an even larger sense of anxiety.

Do not worry!  Let the excitement take hold, but don’t let let yourself get over anxious about it.  Yes, it maybe a new experience for you, but you are not even close to the first person to make this trip.  Quite the opposite, there are thousands of backpackers and tourists that flock to Thailand every year in order visit thousands of years of history, and world class beaches.

Things to know

• English is commonly spoken in Thailand.  Signs are posted in Thai and English
• The people are very friendly, some of the friendliest in my travels
• It is NOT a third world country.  I’m always surprised at the number of Americans who think anyone outside of the US and Western Europe live in mud huts.  Bangkok is a hustling, bustling, modern city.  And for those shoppers out there, they have top-of-the-line shopping malls.
• The prices are great – much better than taking a vacation to Florida.  But don’t set false expectations for yourself that things are cheap.  Even thought you can get an amazing Hotel in the off season for $45 a night, and you can eat a huge fresh seafood meal for $8, and you can take a taxi around town for $2….wait a second, where was I going with this point?

So you’ve got the basics under your belt.  You’re excited but not scared.  What to do next?  Let’s start the Pre-Trip Planning

Thailand is a big country, and you are not going to see it all in a week or three.  You need to ask yourself what type of vacation are you looking to have?  If it’s a first trip, I recommend spending two to three days touring Bangkok and visiting all the historic palaces and temples, as well as the shopping malls.  When you’ve had enough of the big city head on down to one of the fantastic islands to sit on the beach, get some sun, and catch a buzz off a couple of Chang beers.

If this is your first trip and you only have seven to ten days, stick to one of the more popular tourist destinations like Ko Samui or Phuket.  Both of these destinations have white sand, tropical beaches, and blue oceans.  There are many actives for you to engage in, including SCUBA diving, para-sailing, golf, kayaking, and Elephant rides….just to name a few.   You can spend a lazy day at the beach, or saddle up for an adventure in the mountains and jungles.

If you are interested in having some active night life, both islands have plenty of bars and discos where you can dance the night away.  If you are in the mood for a more subdued holiday, then you can book yourself in a hotel on a more tranquil beach.  If you want to party you can always take a tuk-tuk (taxi) into town to get your fix.

So you’ve got a few good ideas on locations, now it is time to start researching hotels and airfare.  I’ll cover both of these topics in more detail in their own posts.  But for starters hit the major travel sites they will give you a good idea of what fares will cost.  I have a few other avenues to approach for cheap airfare to Bangkok and finding a reasonable hotel room, close to the beach.  But I do have to save something to write about later…

Now that we’ve covered the first of the major items when planning your trip, we’ll cover a few more topic.

• Destination
• Airfare
• Hotels

Next article I will cover more of pre-trip planning, including the best time of year to go (either for weather or discounts), the weather, and ideas for daily outings.

Till then – keep it real and come back to Thailand Essentials for the next installment.