We are going on holiday to Phuket Thailand with all troubles there any suggestions on where to go instead?

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kenjinuk

The troubles are political and would not usually affect tourists, as long as there is no sit-in at the airport again!
Phuket is far enough away from BKK or Pattaya were the trouble was this last week. You might still want your travel agent to get you a last minute deal of equal value.
You also need to check your travel insurance, since your not covered for internal civil disruptions on most insurance deals, so if you go and get stuck then you will pay a hefty price

who eats Thai

phuket is a long long way from BKK dont worry nothing will be affected there

Gerald J

As of now the protests and state of emergency have not affected Phuket or any airports in Thailand at all. Unless the situation worsens in the next few days, I would just go to Phuket. Keep abreast of the situation, but if the protests don't spread to Phuket or the airports it may be a very good time to go to Phuket as it most likely will be less crowded than usual for this time of year.
http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/
http://www.bangkokpost.com/

erlish

Phuket is far away from Bangkok; shouldn't think any of the city's turmoil would affect as long as you make sure your flight is direct from the island and NOT via Bangkok. (Protesters shutdown Bangkok international airport the last time which left hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors stranded for days). Also do not venture to the restive south.

The Philippines could provide Phuket type vacation.

I did not suggest any Malaysian destination because in comparison to Thailand/ Philippines / Vietnam, the Malaysian states are conservative and dull especially in leisure & entertainment... and beer liquor is expensive.

No can do in Singapore - all prim & proper, its all so manufactured, artificial and pricey.

marmalade

The short answers is that its all going down as I write and we won't know the result until tomorrow morning.
However, this is an extract of the UK travel advisory issued earlier today:

"There have been outbreaks of violence with protestors attacking Government vehicles. Some armoured vehicles are now deployed around Bangkok. Thai TV have shown pictures of some military vehicles being seized by protestors. In view of the deteriorating security situation anyone considering going to Bangkok should urgently review their plans."
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/thailand

However you're (or at least were - as you see to have changed your mind) going to Phuket. What is happening now in Bangkok wouldn't put me off going to Phuket if I had already booked a holiday to go there. Phuket is another world away from Bangkok.
Anyway, any of the beach resorts in Malaysia are OK if you want a nearby alternative; although I think the beaches are nicer in Thailand.

Pauly 101

Travel agents won't make you choose another location. That choice is yours.
If you're flying to Phuket with a three hour layover in Bangkok you should have no problems. The protests in Bangkok have not had any effect on the airports or Phuket so far.
If you decide on a different destination, Bali is a good choice, or even Vietnam. There are some very nice beaches there as well will a lot less tourists.

Dingleberry

I'd say the hazards to tourists are absolutely minimal, especially considering you won't be going outside of Suvarnabhumi Airport. This is an internal Thai affair, to which farang are an irrelevance. The red shirts and yellow shirts may be as angry as hell at each other, but they couldn't care less about holiday makers. There's no hostility directed at them.

If you were going into Bangkok, there'd be reason for concern about getting caught up in it. As it is, you land in Suvarnabhumi, get a transfer to Phuket and you're in your hotel. If you're still uneasy, then fine, don't go, but if it were me I'd just keep my original holiday plans.

bill_hill@rocketmail.com

Try Severn beach....they never have trouble there.....not since the smoking ban caused the coach and horses to shut down

wanderer

Consider Langkawi, Malaysia. Same sea (Andaman), different country.

Carry On..!

If you want to go, Phuket is a long way from BKK if you're flying direct it should be OK. I have 2 ex colleagues working in BKK and they both say it's being sensationalised.
You may be able to change, Malaysia is fantastic, and you can still cross the land border easily and receive a 30 day stamp for Thailand if you still want to check out the southern areas.
If you get a refund, try Hainan, Macau, Okinawa, or Indonesia for a beach based holiday..all absolutely great for beaches, water sports etc.

Edit: Friend has just said it's getting worse in the city now (4pm Monday UK time) but he's outside BKK and there's no trouble outside the city centre. However Thaskin's Red's are well organised and may well take over the airport again like a few months ago, but the army are so far protecting it much better than before. I doubt you're in physical danger by going there but may get held up if the airport is overrun.

Still can't see what's wrong with Japan, Indonesia, Mauritius etc. You've been to Phuket 4 times..

defdoyle

Yarmouth is kinda quiet at the moment......

Dennis

Go to Boracay island in the Philippines. It is recognized as the best beach in ASIA. I've been to Phuket, Phi Phi, Bali, Langkawi etc. and these places are no match to the beauty and party plac e of Boracay Island. Amazing crowd and the sand is powdery white.

Forget about the negative perception of the Philippines. Makati Business District is even better than Bangkok. Shopping malls in Metro Manila are way way better than malls in ASEAN.

vern

Singapore, Malaysia, or Vietnam.

mooyang

It saddens me to say, but as others have noted, Bali is probably a better, safer choice at this point, than any tourist destination in Thailand.

Edz

Go to the philippines instead! It has everything Thailand has except elephants but is so much better! I fell down the tourist trap that is Thailand once, never again Phi just blows Thailand away!!!

In Bali forever

Bali is also recommended if you are looking for beach holiday such as Phuket. Manage your holiday to Bali is easier with those online travel booking system. If you are looking for details information about Bali then try these websites http://www.hotels68.com or http://www.bali-travelnet.com

Michael S

Fhuk it

Khun Bob

Go to Bail. Or fly into Signapore and get a flight direct to Phuket.

madi_sangre

Singapore looks cool

+Nso

Pattaya.

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