Situation Update: Thailand Political Developments

Bangkok (Thailand) – 6 January 2014 – 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. There are two other demonstration sites nearby – at Chamai Maruchet Bridge near Government House and Makkawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue.

The main anti-government demonstration group – at Democracy Monument – has announced plan to mount pressure on the Caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra Government by organising massive demonstrations in a peaceful manner in Bangkok on 13 January 2014, following its warm-up peaceful mass demonstration yesterday. During this week, the group has announced plans to hold more warm-up mass rallies to different parts of the city.

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. All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as per normal.

For tourists visiting the kingdom, it should be stressed that tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing political demonstrations. Tourist attractions and activities in Bangkok and throughout the country are open and operating as per normal, but tourists 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.

International and domestic airlines are operating flights between Bangkok and Thai cities, as well as destinations around the world, as per normal. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports in Bangkok, as well as other local and international airports throughout the country, are open and operating as usual.

All means of city transportation are open and operating as per normal, 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 taxi.

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.

For tourists visiting Thailand and entering the country through Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports, the following list includes some of the kingdom’s major tourist destinations. Tourists can travel directly to these destinations via various transportation means available at the airport.

• Chiang Mai, located 716 kilometres north of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 7 hours 44 minutes by car or 1 hour 10 minutes by air.
• Phuket, located 865 kilometres south of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 9 hours 50 minutes by car or 1 hour 25 minutes by air.
• Pattaya, located 120 kilometres southeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 1 hour 17 minutes by car.
• Hua Hin, located 227.5 kilometres southwest of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 2 hours 40 minutes by car.
• Ko Samui, located 804 kilometres southwest of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 10 hours 34 minutes by car and ferry or 1 hour 5 minutes by air.
• Khon Kaen, located 458 kilometres northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 5 hours by car or 55 minutes by air.
• Nong Khai, located 630 kilometres northeast of Suvarnabhumi Airport or 7 hours 5 minutes by car.

Useful contact numbers:
TAT 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
Airports of Thailand 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

For live videos of various attractions in Thailand, tourists can visit download the Thai Live Cam mobile application available now in iOS and Android. See more at: http://livecam.tourismthailand.org/