Situation Update: Thailand remains a welcoming destination

Issued at Bangkok at 11.00 hrs. (GMT+7) on 1 June 2014

Following our latest update released yesterday afternoon, we would like to inform that it is still business as usual in any destinations in Thailand. In Bangkok, security has been stepped up in several downtown areas as a measure to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence, and tourists are advised to be vigilant and check travel routing before travelling within the Thai capital to avoid being inconvenienced by movements of security officers and the anti-coup groups.

Other than that, it is business as usual throughout Thailand with a nationwide curfew being the only implication. Still, the curfew is currently being imposed during 00.01-04.00 hrs., which is the time when most tourists are normally already relaxing in the comfort of their accommodation, and so has hardly stopped travellers from enjoying their days in the sun and taking in the sights of Thailand's temples, mountains and beaches.

Tourists’ travelling schedules are also hardly affected by the curfew as all airports remain open, and air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew can travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.

Transport

All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways - Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai - are operating as per normal. Airlines also continue to operate incoming and outgoing flights as per normal, but flight times may be adjusted. Travellers are advised to check with their respective airlines before travelling.

Other modes of transport, by road, rail and waterway, are also operating as per normal throughout Thailand.

Tourism-related businesses and services

As stated above, all tourism-related businesses and services (hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, as well as banks, petrol and gas stations) throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal. Telephone and internet services continue to be available 24 hours. Curfew is widely observed by night-time entertainment venues.

In popular tourist destinations including Ko Samui, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Krabi, all tourism-related businesses and services are operating as per normal. There is hardly any military presence in these major beach destinations. The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is considering whether to lift the curfew in these areas.

In Bangkok, a sense of normality has returned to all areas. But as stated above, security has been stepped up in certain areas and so tourists are advised to be vigilant and check travel routing before travelling within the Thai capital.

Info for international visitors entering Bangkok during curfew

The following measures are prepared for travellers travelling to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:

• Individual travellers – both tourists and foreign residents - are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents handy at all times, in case they are required for inspection by security officers.
• Group travellers on tour coaches, accompanied by a tour guide or tour leader, are allowed to pass through the checkpoints without any worry.
• Taxi services at Suvarnabhumi Airport are available 24 hours at the Platform of the Passenger Terminal on the 1st Floor, Gates 4 and 7.  There are 6,000 – 7,000 authorised taxis with Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.
• Any passenger who cannot find a mean of transport out of Suvarnabhumi Airport during curfew may use the facilities available at the CIP Lounges, located on the 3rd floor of the Passenger Terminal.
• The shuttle bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are operating as per normal.
• For more information, contact Survarnabhumi Airport Call Centre Tel: 1722.

Visa and checkpoints

Tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual.

All international checkpoints – airports, border checkpoints and sea ports – are open and operating as per normal. However, there may be a strong security presence at certain border checkpoints.

Tourist hotlines

Tourists visiting Thailand can contact the following numbers for further 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

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