Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 17 January 2014 at 18.00 (GMT+7)

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok during this week remain largely normal to peaceful with the exception of some incidents at the protest areas. According to the latest reports, no business travellers were hurt.

Although the atmosphere around the rally sites remains normal and eventful (festive-like) most of the time, business travellers are still advised to be vigilant and avoid the rally locations as well as areas where large crowds of demonstrators may gather.

These areas are at six downtown intersections – Pathumwan, Rajaprasong, Silom (Lumpini Park), Lat Phrao, Asoke and the Victory Monument roundabout, and the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, as well as at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok Road. Roads or some lanes at these areas are closed to traffic.

In addition, business travellers are advised to check travel route and traffic situation before travelling within Bangkok, and avoid routings of the anti-government demonstrators’ daily  marches. For assistance, contact the call centre numbers listed in this update.

Life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal.

In the most parts of Bangkok, traffic situation is moving normally since all other roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.

All major MICE venues and tourist attractions in the Thai capital are open normally. Business travellers can visit all venues and attractions using the usual means of transport, including the bus, van and car transfer by tour companies, taxi, the skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service.

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. However, shopping venues in the rally areas may change their opening hours while some businesses may be closed. Telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services continue to be available 24/7 as per normal.

All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal. Air passengers with flights depart out of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are still advised to allocate at least four hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time and to check flight status prior to travelling.

To provide the best service possible during the current political situation, Suvarnabhumi Airport has prepared Airport Operation Center (AOPC), opened 24 hours daily, situated behind check-in counter row R, Departure Hall, 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal. Also Passenger Assistance Center (PAC), opened 24-hours daily, situated between Entrances 7 and 8, Arrival Hall, 2nd floor of the Passenger Terminal. Furthermore, passengers can contact Airport Information Counters available throughout the Passenger Terminal. Suvarnabhumi Airport also has foreign language interpreter/translator available in Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Korean to help passengers.

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

MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200

Emergency Call 1646, 1669