Bangkok

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jimothy

Original Poster:

5,151 posts

237 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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So Bangkok PHers, what's the situation like at the moment?

MrsJimothy and I were planning on taking a 6 month hiatus from the real world and spending it in Bangkok then Phuket.
Still worth doing or is it more trouble than it's worth at the moment?

XJSJohn

15,965 posts

219 months

Sunday 25th May 2014
quotequote all
would not be a problem .... here in Hua Hin you would not be able to tell anything is happening!!

Everything is open as usual, and everyone is just getting on with life! very little extra police presence, maybe using as an excuse to catch a few more people without crash helmets for a few baht etc.

The international media is trying to spin this somewhat but from what I understand talking to most Thais that I know, they think this is good, as there has been so much corruption built up by a certain Chang Mai family that its now time to clean as much of it out as possible.

The plus side of this is the exchange rate is only going to improve for those of us bringing cash in, as the Baht has been a bit too strong of late anyway!!!


jimothy

Original Poster:

5,151 posts

237 months

Wednesday 28th May 2014
quotequote all
Thanks John. Having compared the western media to #ThaiCoup on twitter it does seem to be portrayed here as worse than it is - the curse of 24 hour news.

Agree with you on the exchange rate - should also bring down accommodation rates!

Whats Hua Hin like? Our plan is a month in Bangkok (I want to get involved with the startup community there) then 5 months in Phuket, but I'm liking the images google brings back for Hua Hin.

BritishRacinGrin

24,691 posts

160 months

Thursday 29th May 2014
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Of course, don't forget about the curfew when travelling etc.

Ewaaaaan

131 posts

239 months

Thursday 29th May 2014
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Im in Bangkok (Thonglor) and i havnt seen anything. No militia on the streets and life has continued without much interuption. I made a point of getting in before curfew as i have an incling they wouldnt shout stop twice before loosing off a round or two,. The curfew is now lifted until midnight.

The military concentrated around the demo sites, easily avoidable. There seems to be no short term plan to get an emergency parliment set up but the concensus is it is the junta goal.

Word... J is in the know and controls his own fem mafia gang from his HH HQ

Ewaaaaan

131 posts

239 months

Friday 30th May 2014
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Curfew is lifed completely in Phuket and Nana Plaza entertainment complex was (allegedly) open as normal to the early hours last night

XJSJohn

15,965 posts

219 months

Saturday 31st May 2014
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I don't think Nana ever actually closed hehe

The curfew here in HH is more of a loose suggestion, at midnight the bars turn off outside lights and turn the music down but carry on as usual for a few more hours. Karaoke and nightclubs are still going 'till 7am as usual, night markets still going. There is a big roadblock outside the Kings Palace but that's more for show, and every now and again lieutenant GruberKuong drives his little tank down the main road ....

Hua Hin is a nice chilled town, great beaches and some nice mountains behind, some of the best seafood in Thailand and some good bars !

XJSJohn

15,965 posts

219 months

Saturday 31st May 2014
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Ewaaaaan said:
Nana Plaza entertainment complex
Never heard Nana Plaza's gogo bars described quite like that before hehe

jimothy

Original Poster:

5,151 posts

237 months

Sunday 1st June 2014
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Thanks - it sounds pretty much as I expected it to be. All okay with the desperation of the 24 hour news channel making it out to be so much more. I've been reading the Bangkok post instead of the BBC for information, so is it a better news source? Seems to be fairly even coverage, both for and against the coup.

John - we're planning on 5 months in Phuket, rent a small house so I can work on apps/a software startup, and my wife and 18 month old daughter can go to parks, the beach, playgroups and generally enjoy themselves. It seems Phuket has a good community with online mothers groups my wife can join. Does HH have anything similar? After a brief nose at the area online it looks like a nice place and cheaper than Phuket for renting - but can't see as many organisations for families.

XJSJohn

15,965 posts

219 months

Monday 2nd June 2014
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Lots for families in Hua Hin too, and a bit more relaxed / less Russian than Phuket. Many Brits and Scandi's here and yes cheaper than Phuket too. If you like playing golf then Hua Hin is also a better option, plus better located for going up to Bangers (2 - 3 hours), Kanchanaburi (2 / 3 Hours) and so on.

For Phuket drop PH'er NickPhuket (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?memberId=82888) a line, he runs a junior school in Rawai.