Situation Update: Thailand Political Developments

Issued at Bangkok at 19.00 hrs. (GMT+7) on 22 May 2014

Flash Update:

At 17.00 hours today, Thai military has taken control of the country to prevent further loss of life and prevent the conflict from further escalating. The move came after talks between representatives of opposing sides and top officials failed to reach a common ground, according to local media reports.

A nationwide curfew has been announced from 22.00 – 05.00 hours with effective from today, and martial law to remain in effect until further notice, army announced.

Businesses and public services are adjusting their operating hours to comply with the curfew.

All airports in Thailand remain open, and air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during the curfew can travel to and from the airports at any time as usual. However, Tourists with arrival and departure flights during the curfew are advised to prepare all travel documents when travelling to and from the airports.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely monitoring the situation, and will be providing more updates as soon as there are further developments.

In the meantime, tourists can contact the following numbers for information and assistance:

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

Don Mueang Airport Call Centre +66 (0) 2535 3861, (0) 2535 3863

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