For all you Thai lovers that are planning a trip to Phuket in south Thailand in October try to avoid the days around 20-26 that month.
It will be the second chance for the government to prove that they can host the ASEAN meeting and the security will be very tight.
You can expect blocked roads, traffic jams and higher prices in the hotel even the government told the hotel to lower them.
Just take into account what happen in Asean meeting in Pattaya and imagine if that can happen in Phuket as well. The red shirts are in no way counted out even if the Phuket people mostly do not support red shirt.
admin
I understand that the local hotel and restaurants want people to come back, but normal tourists that come to Phuket with children maybe do not want to end up in a riot or something. I know many people that travel regularly to Thailand will have no problem with this but new comers will not find this amusing at all. I did not tell people to stay away from Phuket but maybe schedule a early date since the high season starts early October and it will be cheaper.
Dawn
I don’t think that it is neccessary to avoid Phuket. Tourist beaches will not ALL be affected, and there are plenty of islands to get away to during the meeting period. Phuket is easier to control from the point of security and Hotel prices are always higher at the end of October when the official tourist season starts. Finally all the people of Phuket are suffering the results of previous unrest, with a huge drop in tourists especially now at the beginning of the rainy season. All the local people will make you feel at home and be glad to welcome you wherever you go. The people here need you all very much. Come and enjoy your holiday!