This is the latest in a series of political events which are having a deep effect on the country and, in turn, tourism. The current round started when the yellow shirts occupied Suvarnabhumi International Airport in November 2008. That led to the downfall of the pro-Taksin ‘red shirts’.

The yellow shirts are now in power and it is the turn of the red shirts to take the protagonists’ role.

Political intrigue is nothing new for Thailand. In the 25 years or so that I have been involved in the Thai tourism industry there have been a number of coups; fortunately most of them have been bloodless.

Yet, while political turmoil is almost the norm and it is not the first time there have been tanks on the streets, this is the most extreme I have seen.

What then of the question I raised recently: is Thailand safe? Well, surprisingly, in spite of current events I still firmly believe that, by and large, Thailand is safe for the foreign visitor. Naturally with the usual caveat about keeping away from crowds. (See Travel Advisories).

The critical point though, as I raised in my piece, is how safe the potential visitor is feeling; and images of tanks on the street does little for a person’s sense of security.

I have just spoken with an industry colleague in Bangkok and, as I write, people are still shopping in Bangkok and still enjoying the sunshine on the beaches of Ko Samui, Phuket and Khao Lak. But how likely are you to join them?

Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui

This is an inevitable question given the amount of times Thailand has been in the news recently. First there was the sit-in, at the end of November 2008, at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Thailand’s main gateway was brought to a grinding halt by yellow-clad protestors and tens of thousands of tourists had an unplanned extension to their holiday in Thailand. The fall-out from this demonstration continued Saturday.

Then there have been a string of disturbances in Thailand’s deep south in the Muslim-majority provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala: many civilians and service personnel have lost their lives. To be fair this has been rumbling on for many years but with our heightened sensitivity to such things we are far more aware of the happenings there.

Most recently, of course, there has been the tragic news that yachtsman Malcolm Robertson and his wife Linda were allegedly attacked by three youths from Myanmar. At the time of writing Mr Robertson is missing, assumed dead while his wife is safe and been joined by family members.

This tragic incident happened in Thailand’s Satun Province (view map), on the border with Malaysia. Until now, Satun province was probably best known as a stepping-off point for Tarutao National Park, Thailand’s first marine national park. Although the province has a Muslim majority it is not one dogged by the same tensions of its neighbouring provinces. Indeed there is no suggestion that this is anything other than an act of piracy and in reality it could have happened anywhere. I offer my condolences to Mrs Robertson and the family

The intelligent traveller knows that, in spite of these occurrences, the question ‘Is Thailand safe?’ has no absolute answer.

Whether planning a vacation in Thailand or a trip to the shops, we all run our own risk assessments. A concept formalized in today’s society by risk managers, insurance underwriters and health & safety executives but in reality something we have done all our lives.

We read guide books and blogs, we take soundings from friends and we consult what we assume are like-minded people on forums. There is also plenty of useful advice on the UK Government’s website and on Wikitravel, under ‘Stay Safe’.

We make our risk assessment and come to a decision.

Personally, because I know the country so well, I would have no hesitation taking another vacation in Thailand (hopefully soon). Although I would avoid anywhere in Bangkok where crowds might gather for protest e.g government buildings and universities: not places ordinarily high on my must-see list. As an aside, I plan to take the same precautions in London this coming week with the planned G20 demonstrations

In addition I would not travel any farther south than Krabi or maybe Trang Province to the west of the Malaysian Peninsula or Ko Samui to the east; but then I wouldn’t have anyway because there are no international-standard tourist developments there*. I no longer travel with a rucksack and sleep on beaches (ah, happy days!).

(*there are in the border city of Hat Yai, but these are more for Malaysian visitors).

And I would generally aim to keep my wits about me, just as I would travelling anywhere.

So yes, I believe Thailand is safe, relatively. But a sense of security is to my mind subjective: everyone must make their own assessment and ask themselves the more pertinent question, ‘Is Thailand safe…..enough for me?”. Well? Is Thailand safe enough for you?

Suvarnabhumi Airport is around 50 minutes from the old international airport, Don Muang. And with that time rising up to 2 hours, if the traffic is bad, you want to make sure you are in the right place! I found this guide to Bangkok’s airports that might be useful; although at the time of writing an adjustment hasn’t been made to the information about Thai flights at Don Muang – but then it wouldn’t because it hasn’t happened yet!

While I am on the subject of Don Muang, I see that two Thai budget carriers, Nok Airlines and One-Two-Go Airlines, are going to stay at Don Muang Airport – at least for now.