Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 12 January 2014 at 13.30 (GMT+7)

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok have been normal and are mainly taking place at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, which will be vacated tonight as the anti-government demonstration group has announced plan to hold massive demonstrations in a peaceful manner in seven Bangkok areas on 13 January 2014. The group has announced that Pathumwan intersection will be the new main rally stage. Six other major rally sites are the Victory Monument roundabout, Lumpini Park (Silom intersection), Lat Phrao intersection, Asoke intersection, Rajaprasong intersection and the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road.

The 13 January 2014 massive rallies are expected to affect 16 main roads in Bangkok. There are Sukhumvit, Rama I, Rama IV, Silom, Rajdamri, Rajprarop, Phaya Thai, Phahol Yothin, Asoke Montri, Rajadapisek, Rajvithi, Din Daeng, Pracha Songkhro, Vibhavadi, Lat Phrao and Chaeng Watthana.

The anti-government group’s intention is to pressure the Caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra Government to step down. Meanwhile, in a bid to calm the current political tensions, the Election Commission has called on the Government to postpone the 2 February 2014 election for another 90 days to a new poll date on 4 May 2014.

Life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal. Local residents and business travellers are getting out and about with their daily schedules within Bangkok and other Thai cities as per normal. All roads in Bangkok, excluding some lanes near the demonstration sites, are open to traffic at all times. Businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the likes are open and operating as per normal. Telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services are available 24/7.

All local and national events and festivals are being held as scheduled. Yesterday, Thailand celebrated the Children’s Day. Meanwhile, the Chinese New Year celebrations will take place from 24 January to 4 February, 2014 at various major Thai destinations.

All means of transportation are operating as per normal at all times. In Bangkok, residents and business travellers can use public transport, including the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus and van, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s express and city lines, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) train services, water-transport (ferries, boats, long-tailed boats and converted rice barge cruises), and taxis. Elsewhere in the country, all means of transportation are also operating as per normal, including train services by the SRT and bus and van services by the Transport Co., Ltd.

All airports in Bangkok and throughout the country are open and operating as per normal.

TCEB will keep you updated with the situation. Should you require any further information and assistance, please call TCEB office: +66 (0) 2694 6000, TCEB call center at 1105 (within Thailand only), visit www.tceb.or.th or contact info@tceb.or.th.

Useful contact numbers:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672

Thai Traffic Police Call Centre 1197

Thai Tourist Police Call Centre 1155

Bangkok Tourism Division Call Centre +66 (0) 2225 7612-4

Ministry of Foreign Affairs +66 (0) 2203 4381-2

Department of Consular Affairs +66 (0) 23833402-4

Airports of Thailand Plc call center +66 (0) 2132 9996-7

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (city bus service) Call Centre 1348

State Railway of Thailand Call Centre 1690

Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490

Thai Airways International (THAI) Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111

Bangkok Airways Reservation Centre 1771

Emergency Call 1646, 1669

To maintain consistent passenger services during the political protest, Suvarnabhumi Airport has prepared its Long Term Parking area as a public car park and has prepared Shuttle Bus services for those wishing to travel in and out of Bangkok, to and from nearby public transportation stations, such as the Airport Rail Link, BTS SkyTrain and SRT.