Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 8 January 2014 at 14.00 (GMT+7)

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok have been normal to peaceful and are mainly taking place at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue. The anti-government demonstration group has announced plan to mount pressure on the Caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra Government to step down by organising massive demonstrations in a peaceful manner in Bangkok on 13 January 2014. The group has been organising a daily peaceful rally to different parts of the city since Sunday (5 January 2014).

Life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal. Local residents and foreign business travelers are getting out and about with their daily schedules within Bangkok, as well as between the Thai capital and other Thai cities as per normal. All roads in Bangkok, excluding those near the anti-government 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 means of transportation are open and operating as per normal at all times. In Bangkok, residents and business travelers can use all public transport, including BMTA buses and vans, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s express and city lines, water-transport (ferries, boats, long-tailed boats and hotels’ converted rice barge cruises), and taxis. Elsewhere in the country, all means of inter-provincial transportation are also open and operating as per normal, including rail services by the State Railway of Thailand 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. However, air travellers with flights depart out of Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airports in Bangkok are advised to allocate more time before flights depart or at least four hours. To avoid possible heavy road traffic, air travellers are advised to use public transport, such as, BTS skytrain and MRT subway to connect to Suvarnabhumi Airport via its Rail Link. For those departing out of Don Mueang Airport, they are advised to use the toll way.

For business travelers visiting Bangkok, it should be stressed that business travelers have not been targeted in the ongoing political demonstrations. MICE venues and activities in Bangkok and throughout the country are open and operating as per normal, but business travelers are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays, thus causing inconvenience.

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

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