Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 22 January 2014 at 13.00 (GMT+7)

There has been a new development on the current political situation in Bangkok. Following an increasing number of incidents at rally sites and demonstration marches since last week, including two grenade attacks on last Friday and Sunday, the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra government has imposed a state of emergency for Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces (Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan).

The emergency decree, which will be in place for 60 days, effective today, has been imposed in order to maintain peace and order as well as to provide safety and security for the general public, MICE Travellers, foreign visitors and the demonstrators. It should be stressed that the emergency decree only covers Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces as stated above and not any other destinations in Thailand. In addition, There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or any other parts of Thailand. Local residents and business travelers can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.

Meanwhile, the ongoing anti-government demonstration sites in downtown Bangkok areas remain peaceful and continue to have a festival atmosphere, especially during the evening. The major rally sites have blocked six downtown intersections and nearby streets – Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Silom (Lumpini Park), Latphrao, Asoke and the Victory Monument roundabout. Other major rally sites are at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok Road. The anti-government demonstrators’ daily marches may also cause traffic disruptions on other roads at certain times.

Business travellers are still advised to be vigilant and avoid the demonstration areas for their own safety and security, however, it should be stressed that business travellers have not been targeted in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations. In addition, despite the closure of major intersections and streets in downtown Bangkok.

While the demonstrations are taking place in the central Bangkok areas, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as per normal.

Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and business travellers to avoid the demonstration areas. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is also 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 buses, vans and car transfers by tour companies, taxis, 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 like are open and operating as per normal. However, shopping venues in the rally areas may change their opening hours while some businesses, including bank branches and petrol stations – 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 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