Situation Update: Thailand Political Developments

Issued at Bangkok at 11.30 hrs. (GMT+7) on 15 January 2014

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok have been peaceful most of the time, and are taking place at six intersections - Pathumwan, Rajaprasong, Saladaeng, Lat Phrao, Asoke and the Victory Monument roundabout - and the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road.

Parts or some lanes of roads linking to the rally sites may be closed to traffic, but all other roads and expressways are open as normal. During the day, the anti-government demonstrators are also organising marches to different parts of Bangkok, which may cause traffic disruptions at certain times.

Commuters and travellers can commute to and from their desired destinations using other roads and expressways, as well as public transport, including the skytrain, subway, airport rail link, city bus, van, boat and ferry, as well as train services.

It should be stressed that tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing political demonstrations. Tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may gather as there may be traffic disruptions or delays, thus causing inconvenience.

Life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as normal. Most 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, some businesses may change their opening hours while some bank branches and petrol and gas stations may be closed. Telephone - landline and mobile - and Internet services are available 24/7.

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

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely monitoring the situation, and would like to inform tourists and the tourism industry that all concerned public and private agencies will exercise utmost efforts to ensure tourist’s convenience.

Tourists can also keep up-to-date with the tourism situation in Thailand through Application Line: Amazing Thailand. For information on tourist attractions and activities in Thailand, visit: www.tourismthailand.org. For live videos of various attractions in Thailand, tourists can download the Thai Live Cam mobile application available now in iOS and Android. See more at: http://livecam.tourismthailand.org/

Useful contact numbers:

TAT Call Centre 1672

Tourist Police Call Centre 1155

Traffic Police Call Centre 1197

BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348

BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000

MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200

SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690

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

AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722

Suvarnabhumi Airport Operation Centre (temporary) +66 (0) 2132-9950 or 2

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

Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771

Nok Air Call Centre 1318

Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999