Yes, you are. How the media, not PAD, is ruining Thailand’s tourist industry.
Look out! They have flags!!!
Here is an article that is typical of how the Media has been covering the situation in Thailand.
Pay particular attention to the sub-headline, the part that starts “Fears of Widespread Violence Grow…”
Ok, Widespread? By widespread does the author mean, more than a few hundred square feet? More than a few blocks of an isolated area that has been cordoned off by Thai police for over a week?
That’s not to say that his hasn’t been a dangerous week to be a politically active Thai in Bangkok. Dozens of protesters were injured in a blast earlier today, bringing the injured count to well over a hundred since this mess started. They truely have my sympathy.
But dangerous for tourists? Please. They get no sympathy from me, nor should they from you. The situation in Thailand is about as dangerous for Farangs as the LA riots were for Thai people visiting relatives in Beverly Hills, or Thai tourists visiting the space needle during the WTO protests in Seattle in 1999.
Of course, this isn’t counting the bleeding heart Farang who is bound to make international headlines and ruin the tourist industry here for good when he shows up dead on the front page of The Nation, sprawled on the pavement clad in a Yellow PAD shirt. Some white douche who thinks he is Thai WILL shove his nose in the political situation and probably get hurt. You will probably see something on the news about a reporter, or some Thai girl’s farang boyfriend getting tear-gassed. Cry me a river.
I’ll save my tears for the 8 Thais that have died fighting to save their country.
Let’s keep some perspective, however. According to the US Department of Justice, there were 45 homicides A DAY in the United States in 2005, yet people still flock to our shores. Why? Because the vast majority of those killed or in danger are not white, and our crime statistics get whitewashed by the media. Besides that, tourists know that if they avoid the “wrong” neighborhoods, they will probably be fine. It’s the same way in Thailand. If you see a bunch of Red and Yellow Shirted Thai’s throwing Molotov cocktails at each other, you might want to keep your distance.
So really, what is the worst thing that can happen to tourists who have even a little common sense while they are in Thailand during this time of political turmoil? Canceled flights and closed airports seem to be the biggest complaints.
Because I mean, these are legitimate things to complain about.
“Uhh… Honey, I’m sorry, I won’t be able to come home for at least another two weeks. I haven’t had my fill of bar girls yet. The Airports are shut down!!”
Sorry boss, I won't be into work this week. I'm trapped. In paradise.
I mean really, it should be the same joyful elation you experienced as a kid when it snowed and school was canceled.
Except, instead of freezing your ass off and being forced by your Mom to “get ahead on your work” by candlelight while the power is out, you are “trapped” in one of the friendliest, most beautiful contries on the planet surrounded by gorgeous women.
What a pity.
This is another case of a runaway media bandwagon where each headline is more sensationalist than the last, in hopes of capturing the white, advertising friendly audience blessed with the attention span of a 5 year old. It’s the same nonsense that turned a market correction into a near global economic meltdown a month ago.
It’s a shame too, because a lot of people are going to miss out on one of the greatest places on earth because they believe everything they see on TV.
