Posted on 08/07/2014 5:54:19 PM PDT by bamahead
An in-flight magazine for travelers to Thailand offers some friendly advice on how to win friends and influence people in a country led by military junta.
"Despite being under miliary control, Thailand is very safe for tourists," chirps the magazine copy, shared by Twitter user @joe_black317 this week. But for "good measure" you might want to take a few minor precautions, such as avoiding the color red, refraining from taking selfies with soldiers sans their consent, and for godssakes ditching your dystopian novels on the plane.
"Don't carry George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984," the Philippine Airlines magazine warns in tip number four. "You don't want to be mistaken for an 'anti-coup protestor.'" (But The Hunger Games is okay, right?)
Read the whole list below. With other tips including "If you must have that selfie with a soldier, be polite and ask his permission first," it's hard to tell if this was meant in jest or in earnest. I'm hoping for bizarre sincerity, though. Otherwise this magazine thinks military coup d'etat and a people's oppression are all in good fun, or at least nothing to let rain on a good vacation.
Next up from Philippine Airlines: 5 fashion tips for visiting the Gaza Shore!
I get my kicks above the waistline, sunshine
Well one night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble
Not much between despair and ecstasy
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble
Can't be too careful with your company
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mwELXPGbA
What about Iceland?
Or The Philippines?
Or Hastings?
Or This Place?
Actually, I am going to Thailand in December, so this is good to know. ;-)
If things appear out of control I will go to my Plan B destination.
Back in the 60’s Bangkok was a super layover town. Great food, pretty girls and fine gems, silk and cutlery to bring home to wifey. The wife would ask,”Honey, did you bring home anything from Bangkok?” I would answer,”Lord I hope not.” and then receive a swift kick and or slap. Those were the days.
Thailand?
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Good to see the old FR traditions continue.
WE were going to be spending two days in Bangkok before taking a cruise this fall.. That got changed after the coup, or the latest one anyway.
How much can one hope to see in an eight hour timeslot? Any must sees either pattaya or Bangkok?
Better to take your own taxi to town or??
We now start our cruise in Singapore and end in BEijing.. And plan to get shanghai’d and hong kong’d too
I had a choice to hop a MAC flight to Bangkok or Seoul as RnR treat. I went Itaewon.. Always wondered if I would have made it back from Thailand. :-)
My beeber was stuned.
“Do to it being under military control, Thailand is very safe for tourists”
If you talk to people that grew up under martial law, they will tell you things were very safe, providing they didn’t decide to engage in politics - which most tourists know enough not to do. In most cases, the military DOES NOT tolerate lawlessness in any way, including street crime. I suspect Thailand, like you say, is not exception.
Fixed.
But do travel to Soi 6, such a wholesome venue.
Fluff piece.
Ask a soldier for permission to take a selfie with him? In what language? Your Thai would have to absolutely perfect for him to understand what you want. Then he’ll say no or turn away. The very fact you are asking indicates it could be a problem and he’ll be working on the premise that anything that hasn’t been ordered is forbidden.
Anyway, taking photos of anything to do with the military in any SE Asian country is asking for trouble regardless of the government in power.
“Avoid the color red??”
The color of a major opposition party known for aggressive protesting. Pretty well everyone wears a uniform in Thailand - even protesters to some degree. Their nickname is “red shirts”.
Therefore a solid red T-shirt would not be a good idea, but other than that, this is mostly BS.
Bangkok?
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