Have a Safe and Happy New Year

With the end of the year being upon us and New Years just days away I wanted to highlight just one news story this week pertaining to possible unrest in the major tourist destinations of Thailand.

Thailand’s acting police chief stated Friday that there were intelligence reports that show their are plots out there to cause unrest during the New Years celebrations.

The Nation online quoted Prateep Tanprasert as saying that there are groups of ill-intended people planning to provoke violence in tourist destinations across the country including Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkhla, Pattaya and the capital Bangkok.

He did not elaborate on their objectives or detailed plans. The police chief said he has ordered all police stations in risk areas to take strict security measures to ensure peace and order. He also said he will call a meeting of senior officers at the metropolitan police bureau to discuss security plan in Bangkok during the New Year celebrations.

If you are in Thailand and planning on taking part in the New Year celebrations just keep this news in mind and keep any eye on your surroundings. If you are spending the evening in a club, disco or hotel try and take a few mental notes as to where the exits are and what the safest route out of the building will be.

Obviously your safety should always be taken seriously and beyond threats such as this you should always make note of exits and escape routes because fires are not an uncommon thing in Thailand.

You hear about various groups making plans every year to disrupt the festivities and for the most part all it is all just hot air used as a tactic to scare people from enjoying the holidays. Don’t let these terrorist threats keep you from having a great New Years celebration, but do keep in mind that your personal safety is up to you so don’t take it lightly and make sure to keep an eye on your surroundings.

Also remember please DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.  Have a safe holiday, live to tell the tale and enjoy next years festivities as well.