There's a "First" for everything……………..

At my age, I continue to be surprised at the number of "Firsts" still left in my life.
Some are carefully planned and eagerly anticipated- like living in Shanghai for a year.
Others are unanticipated and a little unsettling………..

So it is with some trepidation that I will experience for the FIRST time, vacationing in a country under a military coup.

In a flurry of emails between Dawn, myself and management at the Anantara Spa and Resort in Bangkok, we have decided (for now) to carry on with our plans. It has been interesting the way other staff at the resort - Expats- have weighed in - on our emails- trying to reassure us that the media has overblown the "chaos" there.

ZongZi- the Dumpling for the upcoming Dragon Festival

Here it is. The local grocery stores have stocked up. They are filled with pork, or beef , or vegetables or black bean paste. I bought the latter two. Glutenous rice with it's filling wrapped in some sort of leaf.

 I think the one(s) Danny are bringing n Friday for me are "home-made"

Oh dear……………………….

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/05/military-coup-thailand

Rain or shine….umbrellas - like McDonalds and Starbucks - are ubiquitous here

Pre Juniors on a Monday morning: " I want to read! I want to read!"

No wonder I'm exhausted at the end of each week- lol! Cute, huh?

Response from the manager of the resort in Bangkok

Dear Mrs. Frankoff,

Thank you very much for the inquiry and opportunity for me to explain the current situation in more detail.

I can understand that after seeing some media reports about Thailand, and especially Bangkok, you are concerned and wonder whether travel to the destination of your choice is safe.

Please do let me assure you that the safety of our guests is of greatest importance to us thus we are communicating any updates in the most timely manner.  At this moment I cannot foresee any safety concern you should be worried about during your travels in early July. While the military has taken control over the government it was predominantly due to the fact that the 2 oppositions ruling within Thailand have not been able to find common ground, and agree on how to move forward with the country.  Thailand is very much interested in maintaining a safe and secure environment for all visitors to the country, thus all sites within Bangkok and can be visited, business are operating as normal and transportation during the hours outside of the implemented curfew to and from the Airport are not of concern. I have attached the most recent communication of the Thai Tourism Bureau for your information.

If you wish than we can arrange hotel limousine service for the pickup and drop of at the Bangkok airport. In regards to sightseeing and shopping our Concierge desk will be more than happy to assist you in every way possible, and if required one of our English speaking “Streetwise Gurus” can accompany you during your sightseeing trips to town.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time as I am more than happy to provide you with any and all information available.

With best personal regards and a wonderful Sunday afternoon

Nikolaus

Maybe we should be going to KL instead…………….

Thailand: To go or not to go? That is the question…………...

The problem is that the military has compete control over the media, so when they report that travellers can "safely go to and from the airport", you wonder?

http://globalnews.ca/news/1345011/has-travel-in-thailand-been-affected-by-martial-law/


I have registered our trip and I will get Dawn to do the same.