In response to Cate's concerns in a previous post, I too would liek to raise my concern.
As Cate mentioned, it is hard to get a genuinely neutral point of view on the situation.
I myself am supposed to be doing the Bangkok - SInagpore on the 1st of Feb (hopefully the situation will be clearer by then), however I will be coming from Japan which I depart for on 17th Jan.
I can not help feel that the judgement here from staff is affected by the worry of cancellations.
I was rather angered to hear from the MD posting that no a non refund policy is being adopted.
This surely has to be investigated seeing as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office are advising against all but essential travel to Thailand's affected areas (Krabi being one of them).
If there could be assurances that the trip was for example moved to Ko Phan Ngan (as in the other months of the year) and not to Krabi tehn it might reassure people.
What is the recommended action now seeing as IT and STA appear to be conravening the advice given by www.fco.gov.uk
Any views would be welcomed!
As many would agree, we are not really being given an option to make an unbiased decision on what to do for the best.
Aside from all this, I accept that it is not importnat in the scale of things!!! My wishes and prayers go out to those affected by such a tragedy.
Thanks
Darren
Re: Biased review of situation
A biased review of the situation indeed! To my mind, one that is motivated solely by financial interests.
I was scheduled to go on the Bangkok to Singapore tour departing January 6. I was supposed to leave Toronto the day after tomorrow, travelling more than 35 hours before arriving in Bangkok on Thursday. In light of the tsunami disaster, I have opted to cancel my trip. There is no sense travelling such a far distance to be in a place of great sadness and loss.
I'm appalled that the Imaginative Traveller is not giving refunds or allowing us to defer our travels. Singapore Air has been much more accommodating. I was able to get a full refund, with all cancellation fees waived.
The following is a quote from an article that appeared in The Guardian January 1:
"Most holiday companies are offering full refunds on trips to the areas affected by the tsunami disaster until the end of January. Members of the Federation of Tour Operators, which represents 70% of package holidays sold in the UK, have said customers can cancel holidays without charge, although they must notify their tour operator by January 15."
I guess that the Imaginative Traveller is not a member of the Federation of Tour Operators. In the future, I
Re: Biased review of situation
Hi,
Speaking personally here. I think I've said enough but just to point out that we currently have groups staying in Krabi. There is no need for an alternative becuase everything is functioning as normal in Ao Nang. There is more chance of being washed off the beach in Koh Pha Ngan this time of year than anywhere else. The reason we take these groups to Krabi is because of the monsoon in the Gulf of Thailand.
There is no reason not to go to Ao Nang, believe me!
Also, every travel company I deal with here in Bangkok has not extended a refund policy in THAILAND. Can't speak for Sri Lanka and India.
How about we let these people get on with their lives.
Craig Roach
Re: Biased review of situation
Oh and I forgot to mention that my opinion is only biased because I am here and know the true situation and the facts on the ground.
Craig Roach
Re: Biased review of situation
I hope everyone travelling to the Krabi area listens to the ppl on the ground who know the situation better than the ppl on the BBC and Sky news etc.
At a time like this many Thai ppl need tourists and your support more than anything as their livelyhoods depend upon the tourism industry. From what i have seen on the [url=http://www.yourkrabi.com]www.yourkrabi.com[/url] website all is pretty much as usual at Ao Nang!!
As a past traveller with Imaginative on the Bangkok to Singapore tour in Jan 2004, i cannot reccommend the time spend in Krabi highly enough. It really is such a beautiful place, and the ppl are very nice! Don't miss out on an opportunity to visit this beautiful place if you can.
ps: if my tour leader 'Waxi' is reading this message, i hope you are well and all of your friends in Krabi are too!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
- Catherine Linklater
Re: Biased review of situation
In local paper yesterday........
Keep Thailand on holiday map
AFTER the recent earthquake and tsunami that has affected South Asia, I wonder whether you would give space to putting some facts - a commodity in chronic short supply for the past week - on the record.
I write only about Thailand, as I have no direct information about other affected countries.
Thais and expatriate residents of Phuket and surrounding areas have been sickened by the gross distortions and blatant inaccuracies that we have seen trotted out hour after hour on the global news networks.
These sensational exaggerations are the direct cause of massive and unnecessary cancellations of holiday bookings. The direct impact of this sensationalism will be thousands of jobs lost by Thai workers who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.
The effects of the tsunami in Thailand were limited to coastal areas in the south west of the country. The east coast and the north of the country were completely unaffected.
Most of Phuket and Krabi Provinces
Re: Biased review of situation
[quote] For anyone who sincerely wants to help, here is a suggestion: if you have booked a holiday in Thailand in the coming days, weeks or months, stop and think before you cancel. If you haven
Re: Biased review of situation
Alright, Alright I get the general concensus!!
:-) lol
I must admit I was at first wary due to the fact that all the reassurance seemed to be coming from Imaginative Traveller staff but after reviewing the situation (and checking out the info at [url=http://www.yourkrabi.com),]www.yourkrabi.com),[/url] I am pleased to say I will be travelling.
After thinking about it long and hard I thought "what better way to support the country than, to spend my bahts and do my bit to avoid their economy going the same way as some of the landscape".
Thanks for your views
darren
Re: Biased review of situation
It really is too bad my fellow Canadian decided to cancel her trip. Watching too much American news???
I just came back from this trip and had a great time. We were in the affected areas a few days before the tsunami. Yes, it was tragic and yes, we were very lucky.
There is no reason to not visit Penany and Ao Nang. I gather that the optional day trips to Phi Phi Island are cancelled.This is understandable because of the huge loss of life and distruction.
Imaginative Traveller are giving you the straight goods..go this is an amazing part of the world. I fell in love with Malaysia.