Not really a topic for me any more as I arrived back in Germany last night after a 38hour journey home. I should have flown back to Munich on Thursday with Thai Airlines. Luckily Thai are part of Star Alliance the major airline being Lufthansa and with typical efficiency the german airline quickly made plans for return of the stranded tourists. I received a SMS late Friday night asking if I was willing to travel by coach to Phuket (a 12hour journey) where a 747 would be waiting to fly back to Europe. Nine coach loads of passengers departed Bangkok on Saturday morning, after arrival at Phuket airport we had an eight hour wait hour before finally boarding the B747, landing in Frankfurt yesterday afternoon.
I've never been a big fan of Lufthansa but will try to be positive in my reviews of their service in future. British friends staying in the same hotel as me in Bangkok are still there, their airline is trying to get them out via a military airport not far from Bangkok but the scenes are chaotic there with thousands trying to get the few seats out that are available.
In Bangkok itself there is no sign of trouble the people going about their business as usual and I spent my extra couple of days in the city shopping,eating and generally just lazing around in temps of over 30°
My trip to Laos was great and I will write a more detailed review when I have time.
Delighted to hear you are back safe and sound.
oh Judith, glad to hear you got back safe and sound. Lufthansa did well. It sounds like lots of other holidaymakers still have a long wait in front of them. I'd love to also hear your thoughts on Bangkok ( when you are not jetlagged!)
Can anyone shed any light on the current situation with the airports, are the protestors still in place?, also does anyone know when some normality is going to be restored?, i really want to visit thailand next year but obviously don't want to do so if it is going to be unsafe for me and my friends.
All airports are getting back to normality, and in a week the backlog of stranded passengers should be cleared and all flights running to schedule again. There are no protesters at any airports.
However, regarding it being 'unsafe' it has not been unsafe during the recent issues, just incovenient. Tourist safety was never an issue, so I wouldn't worry about that.
Infact, Thailand next year will be an exceptionally good value place to visit, and the people will be very appreciative of anyone visiting. Go!
When in Phuket recently I heard that hotel bookings were down due to the economic crisis (particularly bookings from Europe) I belong to another website and there is a travel agent member and she reports that Australian bookings to Thailand are down 60%.
I'd say watch out for specials to entice people back.
Cheers Geri
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