Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 14 January 2014 at 18.00 (GMT+7)

The massive anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok have been peaceful and are taking place at Pathumwan intersection, Rajaprasong intersection, Saladaeng intersection (Silom Road / Lumpini Park), Lat Phrao five-way intersection, Asoke intersection, the Victory Monument roundabout and the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road.

These seven areas link directly with 16 main roads – Sukhumvit, Rama I, Rama IV, Silom, Rajdamri, Rajprarop, Phaya Thai, Phahol Yothin, Asoke Montri, Rajadapisek, Rajvithi, Din Daeng, Pracha Songkhro, Vibhavadi, Lat Phrao and Chaeng Watthana. Therefore, parts or some lanes of these roads may be closed to traffic.

During today, the anti-government demonstrators are marching to 10 government agencies in different parts of Bangkok to call for civil disobedience in a bid to mount pressure on the Caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra Government to step down. Their activities have also affected traffic on other streets of Bangkok. For tomorrow, they are planning massive marches from the Asoke rally stage through Sukhumvit Road, Ekkamai Road, Thong Lor Road and New Phetchaburi Road, as well as to urge an act of civil disobedience at other state agencies.

However, local commuters and business travellers can commute to and from their desired destinations using the skytrain, the subway, the airport rail link or other public transport. Those travelling by private vehicles or public buses and vans can make use of the expressways, although some entrances and exits may be temporarily closed.

In addition, two other anti-government demonstration groups are staging their protests at Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue and the Government House. Parts or some lanes of roads in the areas may be closed to traffic.

Life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal. All roads in Bangkok, excluding those described above, are open to traffic at all times.

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, albeit some changes in the opening hours.

Telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services are available 24/7.

All means of transportation are operating as normal, albeit some route adjustments.

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.

Thai Airways International has confirmed that flights operated by THAI and THAI Smile are operating with no flight delays. Passengers can check flight status at www.thaiairways.com.

To avoid getting caught in road traffic, local commuters and foreign tourists are advised to use the following means of transport in getting out and about in Bangkok.

 The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s SA Express and SA City Line trains run between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Bangkok downtown (Makkasan City Air Terminal and Phayathai Stations).

 The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) city train services run between Don Mueang International Airport and Hua Lamphong Station.

 The BTS skytrain runs between Mo Chit and Bearing Stations (Sukhumvit Line), and between National Stadium and Bang Wa Stations (Silom Line).

 The MRT subway runs between Bang Sue and Hua Lam Phong Stations.

 The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates several bus and van services throughout Bangkok. However, some 20 bus routes have been adjusted to avoid the protest areas.

 About 6,000 taxis registered with Airports of Thailand (AOT) have been given special stickers to show that the vehicles are carrying tourists. Meanwhile, passenger buses bearing special signs issued by the Ministry of Transport can use the expressways free of charge.

 Boat and ferry services on Saen Saeb Canal and the Chao Phraya River.

Elsewhere in the country, all means of transportation are also operating as per normal, including train services by the SRT and bus and van services by the Transport Co., Ltd.

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