Transcript of the above video: 

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the issue of well, all of the issues regarding travel at the moment, which a lot of things, we're an intense state of flux shall we say here in Thailand regarding the state of play regarding Immigration here. Let me go ahead and just jump in. 

So I initially actually found this in The Pattaya News, and it is under the title: Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand Issues Advisory Amid Middle East Airspace Closures. So credit where credit is due to them because that is where I initially found this information. However, over on facebook.com is the actual announcement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and quoting directly: "The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued an urgent advisory due to military tensions between Israel and Iran. In response to recent air strikes and missile operations, several Middle Eastern countries have closed or restricted their airspace to protect civil aviation. The Israeli government has officially suspended all civil flight operations and advised the public to avoid domestic airports until further notice. Similarly, Iranian authorities have closed the national airspace as a security measure. These restrictions have expanded to include several other countries in the region that are reducing or closing their air corridors as the conflict escalates. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait have implemented partial airspace closures as a precaution. These measures are expected to affect major international flight paths between Europe, Asia, and the Asia-Pacific region." Yeah, well I can just think of the fact that UAE and Qatar, you've got Qatar Airways, you got Emirates, I mean those alone are two major carriers internationally, so I have to imagine that these changes are going to have an impact on just being able to fly those airlines, if nothing else. That said, quoting further: "As a result, many airlines are rerouting flights to avoid high-risk areas, which may cause delays or cancellations on International routes through the Middle East." - and this is the important thing, "through the Middle East". Even if you're not, your destination country isn't to one of these places, look if you are going backward over to Europe - I look at it as backward because I'm coming from the US, so we come over the Pacific which is a heck of a long haul, but if you are going Thailand to some place in Europe or the UK or something, you're going to have to transit in part of Eurasia somewhere. It might not necessarily have to be the Middle East - which again, that's why things are rerouting - but more and more, there are getting to be a lot of hot spots between Southeast Asia and back Western Europe, UK - sort of the old Suez Canal route if you will - from the old days, the maritime days, that look, it can change things; it's having a real impact on being able to fly. That said, quoting further: "Passengers travelling to Europe, the Middle East, or with regional connections should monitor airline updates and confirm their flight status before going to the airport." Yeah, that's a good idea. Quoting further, and this is also a key part here. "CAAT reminds passengers departing from Thailand that Thai civil aviation regulations protect them in cases of flight delays or cancellations. However Transit countries may not provide the same legal protections. Claims or complaints can be submitted at complaint.caat.or.th. CAAT is coordinating with safety agencies and airlines to monitor the situation and will issue further updates as needed." Yeah, that's a good point.

Look if you are - strange as it sounds under the circumstances - I could see scenarios for certain people that may be trying to get back to Europe where it might not be a terrible idea to maybe be thinking going the other direction or maybe having to fly down through Africa and then back up depending on again circumstances. And even then, you may end up still in the situation where you are flying over or through some sort of hotspot which could lead to again problems through especially transiting countries. I don't have a great answer especially for those who are trying to travel over the Middle East or through the Middle East over here to Southeast Asia. It's just going to be somewhat problematic, again depending on the underlying circumstances.

I think it's a good thing that CAAT pointed that out that one, you need to a) keep a close eye on confirmations as far as flights and things even before going, and then on top of that, understanding that hey yeah CAAT's regulations regarding flights and delays and cancellations may apply here in Thailand but if you get to some third party country, especially one that made me part of, even on the periphery of this conflict, you may find yourself with some real problems. So the thing to take away from this video more than anything is those who have to travel through this route to get to Thailand or to get back from Thailand, again a high level of vigilance is probably in order and it may not be a terrible idea to start looking for alternative routes to be able to get back home or to be able to travel as needed. That said, it remains to be seen how long this is going to be the prevailing circumstances in the Middle East, so we will certainly be keeping you updated on this channel as the situation evolves.