Bangkok Blast - Security Issues

[rugbypopsie]

Just heard that a bomb placed in a bus stop outside a mall in Bangkok has killed 10 people. I love Bangkok it is so sad to hear about the situation however it does underline that Princess took the issues seriously enough to remove it as an embarkation port. It is still a stop but it is easier for them to skip it if the situation there is unsafe.

 

How do other cruisers feel about security? Do you think the current measures are enough, too much or could be beefed up. Obviously there is a difference between sailings in our area and other areas of the world..but cruisers have expressed some concern that non passengers are now allowed onboard.

 

What do you think?:confused:

[NSWP]

Just heard that a bomb placed in a bus stop outside a mall in Bangkok has killed 10 people. I love Bangkok it is so sad to hear about the situation however it does underline that Princess took the issues seriously enough to remove it as an embarkation port. It is still a stop but it is easier for them to skip it if the situation there is unsafe.

 

How do other cruisers feel about security? Do you think the current measures are enough, too much or could be beefed up. Obviously there is a difference between sailings in our area and other areas of the world..but cruisers have expressed some concern that non passengers are now allowed onboard.

 

What do you think?:confused:

I don't like the idea of all those travel agents coming on board at different ports, I wonder if they are checked out ? As for Bangkok, I have not been there, but no doubt terrorists breed there as they do in Indonesia. Thailand does not really interest me, been to Singapore and Hong Kong, but security there is a more tight.

 

As far as more security both on aircraft and ships goes, the tighter the better.

[Seadreams27]

I agree. The more security the better.

I know sometimes ports are missed for security reasons,

and there is always a few whingers. It would be annoying,

but better to be annoyed than dead or injured.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

I don't like the idea of all those travel agents coming on board at different ports, I wonder if they are checked out ?

 

Yes Les....

Rest assured they are checked out...

There is quite a procedure to go through before getting on board.

Even going with a TA for lunch on board, that you pay for ,

has its checks.

[rugbypopsie]

The blast in Bangkok was against their own people but it is concerning that a nice big fat cruise ship full of Americans and Australians and Kiwis would be a tempting target.

In some places I have cruised, the security has been extremely tight, Guam we had navy ships escorting us in and out armed with machine guns..many other places had a security perimeter around the ship, other places almost non existent. The place where we were checked the most was on the Diamond in Hobart of all places on our way to NZ, we had our boarding passes plus photo id check 3 times before we got to the gangway.

[marconi]

Just heard that a bomb placed in a bus stop outside a mall in Bangkok has killed 10 people. I love Bangkok it is so sad to hear about the situation however it does underline that Princess took the issues seriously enough to remove it as an embarkation port. It is still a stop but it is easier for them to skip it if the situation there is unsafe.

 

How do other cruisers feel about security? Do you think the current measures are enough, too much or could be beefed up. Obviously there is a difference between sailings in our area and other areas of the world..but cruisers have expressed some concern that non passengers are now allowed onboard.

 

What do you think?:confused:

 

Going by my news provider there is one dead and nine injured.I am pretty worried due to my son being over there at the moment.

[fishtaco]

Going by my news provider there is one dead and nine injured.I am pretty worried due to my son being over there at the moment.

 

Dont worry too much Bangkok is a big city and Thailand a vast country.

 

Political unrest is an ongoing thing in Thailand and in my over 25 years visiting BKK there has been plenty of unrest but you dont seem to notice it.

 

Admitedly this is the worst with bombs actualy going off but the main threat to any tourists would be from the south of the country and muslims which Thailand authorities seem to have well under control.

 

I would have no problems arriving in Thailand by ship or plane tomorrow but I would spend more time away from BKK City because of the unrest.

[rugbypopsie]

Dont worry too much Bangkok is a big city and Thailand a vast country.

 

Political unrest is an ongoing thing in Thailand and in my over 25 years visiting BKK there has been plenty of unrest but you dont seem to notice it.

 

Admitedly this is the worst with bombs actualy going off but the main threat to any tourists would be from the south of the country and muslims which Thailand authorities seem to have well under control.

 

I would have no problems arriving in Thailand by ship or plane tomorrow but I would spend more time away from BKK City because of the unrest.

 

Normally I would agree with you...I have never felt unsafe there in a number of visits but with them placing bombs in public area outside shopping malls...the potential for innocent bystanders to be caught up in it is very high.

 

So sad the whole thing...Thailand is a lovely country with genuinely nice people.We are lucky to live in a country where political dissent does not stoop to these depths.

 

 

[NSWP]

I recollect in Lisbon, Portugal last July, when we were on Crown Princess, Portugese anti terrorist police with armoured cars took guard on the dock adjacent to the ship, U.S. ship with 3100 pax on board, 3000 of those Americans, always a terrorist target anywhere in the world. Such is life.

[thied]

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/thailand

 

This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Civil Unrest/Political Tension (state of emergency continues in 16 provinces, including Bangkok, until 4 October 2010). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

 

•Australians should avoid any prominent buildings associated with the Thai Government and military, such as Government House, the Parliament Building and the Supreme Court in Bangkok, all Provincial Government buildings and all military installations.

[Aussie TJE]

I agree Sue, it is very sad and we are so lucky that we live where we do. I am also glad that they have changed our embarkation from Bangkok to Singapore - better to be safe than sorry. It is so much easier for Princess to miss a port than to try and rearrange everyone getting on a ship - and cheaper.

 

Hopefully, things improve soon for us tourists, but most importantly for the people who live there.

[rugbypopsie]

While the tourist don't come things will be very tough for the locals..no social security safety net. The city people will bear the brunt as the support for Taksin is mainly in the country areas.