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The Idul Fitri holiday is almost here. If you and your family are considering a break outside the country, Bangkok might have been scratched off your list after recent violence there. The city wants you back.

The capital of Thailand, which is 3 hours and 25 minutes away from Jakarta by plane, may not seem like the pace to go any longer.

Riots, mayhem, gunfire, arson, prolonged turmoil — that is what we all saw in April and May when the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship — the Red Shirts — squared off against the government.

The demonstrations turned violent and resulted in damage to property and numerous deaths.

Concerned about the situation, many countries also issued travel warnings for Thailand and the country’s tourism industry took a major hit.

“The number of tourists coming to Thailand dropped by more than 50 percent during that time,” said Indra Nugraha, a representative of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The hotels in Bangkok, near where many of the clashes took place, also suffered.

“During the protests, hotel occupancy went down to 15 to 20 percent.

Some hotels had to close down, especially those near the Red Shirt protest areas,” said Wayne Buckingham, regional vice president of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which owns 15 properties in Thailand.

“But Thailand is a very resilient destination,” Buckingham said. “Within a couple of months, business has been picking up. Most hotels are doing 50 percent [occupancy] now.”

While there is no news on whether the travel advisory from Indonesia to Thailand has been revoked, Nugraha is optimistic. “You know how it is. Once they impose it, they just seem to forget all about it,” he said.

Since the height of the protests in May, things have calmed down. While life has pretty much normalized, Bangkok remains in a state of emergency, meaning that more than five people can’t congregate in public spaces for political reasons.

“Everything will be fine,” assured Thanatip Upatising, Thailand’s ambassador to Indonesia, during the Thai Home Product Festival at the Metro Department Store in Plaza Senayan recently.

“There is no more problem now. The government guarantees the safety of the tourists coming to Thailand.” He is confident that Thailand can achieve the target of 14 million tourists by the end of this year.

According to the ambassador, the number of tourists visiting Thailand this year reached nine million in August.

Nugraha said that an estimated 240,000 Indonesian tourists visit Thailand annually.

The national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia operates daily return flights on the Jakarta-Bangkok route. According to Dini, who works as a stewardess for the airline, the planes were often half full between April and June, when the protests were in the news.

It’s better now. When asked about the situation in Bangkok, however, Dini said that she “didn’t really know.”

“Since the riots broke out, we no longer spend a night in the city like we normally did. We now go back to Jakarta,” she said.

A Thai taxi driver who goes by the name Samsok was at the CentralWorld mall on the afternoon of May 19, when the building was under siege from Red Shirt protesters.

“[It was] just like any other day,” he said. “I was just standing around and talking to my friends when it happened. Many people suddenly came shouting angrily. I felt fear.”

Samsok drove his taxi away before the situation escalated. Before long, he could see gray smoke billowing from what used to be the biggest mall in Bangkok.

Since CentralWorld’s closure, the Siam Paragon, another luxury shopping center in the Siam district near the conflict area of Ratchaprasong, has become a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

 Among its attractions is the 10,000 square meter Siam Ocean World, which has become a favorite tourist spot for families.

“I love it,” said Mila, an Indonesian visitor who was at Ocean World with her 5-year-old daughter Nasya. “It’s definitely bigger and more beautiful than our Sea World [in Ancol].”

Mila, who was accompanying her husband on a business trip in Bangkok, said that she felt safe in the city. “I think the problem was only temporary,” she said. “Most of it is over by now. Last night, we went shopping until very late and nothing bad happened [to us].”

She likes to shop at the Suan Lum night bazaar near the Lumpini BTS (Bangkok Transit System) station in Bangkok. The open-air market sells a wide range of knick knacks from fashion items and accessories to sculptures and handicrafts.

“But it’s no longer recommended,” said Nui, the hotel concierge at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit. “Some of the shops are closed now.” According to Nui, a disagreement between the landowners and shop owners has resulted in the closure of a third of the shops.

Another favorite open-air market is the Chatuchak weekend market, which boasts 35 acres of over 15,000 shops. On weekends, its narrow alleys are often packed with tourists and locals hunting for a bargain.

“It’s a kind of place that you don’t want to leave,” said Maduri, an Indian tourist. “But eventually, the heat will drive you away.”

Yenny, an Indonesian tourist, prefers the air-conditioned Mahboonkrong Center near the national stadium of Bangkok.

A well-known landmark in the city, the mid-range shopping mall is famous among locals and tourists looking for clothes, electronics and souvenirs. “And you can literally spend a week in its food court without feeling bored,” she said.

Yenny, who owns a retail business in Jakarta, usually goes to Thailand twice a year for business and pleasure. “I sorely miss it if I don’t. I think the riots are over now,” she said. “I never feel anxious whenever I go around the city.”

“I think Bangkok has fantastic shopping,” Buckingham said. “Shopping here is very inexpensive compared to other destinations [in Asia]. And you can also treat yourself to spas and a great game of golf.”

There are over 270 golf courses in Thailand, 30 of which are located within and around the city of Bangkok.

“It’s definitely a favorite golf destination,” said Benny Teo, editor of Golf Vacations Singapore. “It’s more than okay now. I went around [the city] last night and met with my friends, I didn’t feel [fear]. It’s pretty safe.”

While the attractions of Bangkok may not be for everyone, the city is still an interesting option for Indonesian tourists. “People like Thailand because of its hospitality, the culture, the food and the beaches,” Buckingham said.

“As long as Thailand doesn’t lose that Thai flavor, the tourists will keep coming back.”