KEY POINTS:
A line of people stand frustrated at our hotel check-in every morning. They check out. No flights depart. They check back in. No one seems to be going anywhere.
My boyfriend and I arrived in Bangkok on Monday after three weeks of backpacking through Laos. We had four
days' shopping and sightseeing planned.
We realised things weren't so peaceful when a taxi driver marked the no-go areas on our map. Grenade and bomb attacks had been reported in central Bangkok over the past week.
On our first day we crossed paths with the People's Alliance as they demonstrated near Parliament. Barbed wire had been laced through old tyres to separate the riot police and protesters. Riot police relaxed on the road, while protesters ate their lunch on the other side.
The next day the People's Alliance stormed Bangkok's main airport.
On the main tourist strip of Khaosan Rd it is hard to imagine there is a state of emergency. The number of travellers sunbathing poolside has tripled over the last week as increasing numbers have nowhere to go. internet cafes are packed during the day, while the bars fill up in the evening.
When our Thursday flights were cancelled I was happy with the extended holiday. I wasn't counting on the frustrations to come.
I called British Airways for some reassurance. Their representative asked me what the situation was in Bangkok. I was hoping he would know.
Our flight had been rerouted through Singapore, and we were told to make our own way there. This just wasn't a realistic option.
Eventually British Airways agreed to book us a new flight.
"How about December 6?" he asked. That sounded perfect.
"Sorry, that's actually fully booked. Hold on, all of December is completely booked. January?"
I started to worry I would be spending New Year in Bangkok. Eventually he booked us on Thai Airways, hopefully leaving on December 2.
I am not concerned for my safety, but I'm frustrated by the uncertainties.
Insurance and airlines will not give any definite answers on what costs they will cover. I'm left wondering how much this extended holiday will end up costing me. I'm watching news websites and trying to enjoy an extended summer break.
