AIBU to think my friend shouldn't take her small DC to Thailand?

[Chiana]

A friend recently announced that she, her DH, and their DC would be spending part of the Christmas break in Thailand. I of course congratulated her, but on the inside I was thinking, "Thailand is being run by a junta after a military coup, and isn't not a particularly stable place to take small DC!" Of course, they'll probably be fine. They'll be at a beach resort far away from Bangkok, and tourists haven't been targeted so far. But still, I wouldn't take my kids to Thailand at the moment.

DH says I'm just jealous, because Friend is going on an exotic sunshine break and we aren't. I probably am just jealous. But I was talking last week with the waitress at our local Thai restaurant, as I was waiting to pick up a takeaway, and she was obviously worried about her extended family back in Thailand.

I'm being unreasonable, aren't I?

Spain and Portugal?
Why?

Just guessing but perhaps Bouric is referring to Spain under Franco and Portugal before the Carnation Revolution.

Bourdic, pardon me, not Bouric.

I wouldn't go to China or Russia either, although DH has been for work. Last year we nearly went to Cuba but decided on the Dominican Republic instead on democratic grounds. Which sounds a bit precious, I know. But it's nice to know we have company.

I have actually been to Thailand before, when I was 18 and backpacking. Don't remember if it was a democracy at the time, as 18 year old me cared less about such nuances.

Of course, we are possibly depriving a poor country of desperately needed foreign exchange, as other posters have pointed out.

YABU. I have been to Thailand 3 times (the last time 2 weeks ago), and every time, there has been some kind of political unrest (apparently), but I have never seen anything to suggest it when I have been there, and I have travelled all over the country.

Thailand is a great place and it would be a fantastic place for kids to visit.

There was always unrest when I lived there. Which is why Black May came as such a shock I suppose.

I won't ever set foot in the country again for various reasons. But I don't think a holiday in a touristy area far from BKK is exactly high risk.

In their shoes my primary concern would be having a plan B in case the King died while I was there and it led to a rapid destabilisation that wasn't confined to BKK and non tourist areas. One red shirt and one yellow shirt giving each other the evil eye at a time like that and I'd be hightailing it to the airport to be on the safe side.

But I confess to be being slightly prejduiced and prone to assuming the worst is just as possible as the OK or best. Black May played out at the top of my road and fleeing people were being machine gunned at right outside my garden gate.

It left an impression.

Good God!

YABU. Sorry. I kind of agree with your hubby. When we have done interesting trips with baby there is always someone totally uninformed who is quick to be 'concerned' and a bit gleeful about raining on our parade with their concern. I think the parents are not going to go somewhere stupid with small children without researching first.

Chiana - yes, you're right, I am very old!

I would have no quarms about taking children to Thailand. My children have travelled extensively, I think they benefit from experiencing different cultures and I'm sure they will take sensible precautions regarding military actions.

YABU. If it was that dangerous, there would be travel restrictions.