Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 19 January 2014 at 15.00 (GMT+7)

The ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok continue to be normal to peaceful. However, the situation has become unstable at some protest areas and rally routes with incidents occurred over the last couple of days and during early this afternoon (a double blast at the Victory Monument, one of the demonstrators’ main stages). These incidents are under investigations.

Although, no business traveller was hurt by any of the incidents, business travellers are advised to be vigilant and avoid the rally locations as well as areas where large crowds of demonstrators may gather, including routings of the anti-government demonstrators’ daily marches.

The major rally locations remain at six downtown intersections and nearby streets – Pathumwan, Rajaprasong, Silom (Lumpini Park), Lat Phrao, Asoke and the Victory Monument roundabout. Other major rally sites are at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok Road. Roads or some lanes at these areas may be closed to traffic.

Apart from the incidents at some protest areas and rally routes, life in the most parts of Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal.

In Bangkok, traffic in the most parts of the city is moving normally since all other roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.

All major MICE venues and tourist attractions in the Thai capital are open normally. Business travellers can visit all venues using the usual means of transport, including the bus, van and car transfer by tour companies, taxi, the skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service.

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, shopping venues in the rally areas may change their opening hours while some businesses, including bank branches and petrol stations – may be closed. Telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services continue to be available 24/7 as per normal.

All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal. 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 and to check flight status prior to travelling.

To provide the best service possible during the current political situation, Suvarnabhumi Airport has prepared Airport Operation Center (AOPC), opened 24 hours daily, situated behind check-in counter row R, Departure Hall, 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal. Also Passenger Assistance Center (PAC), opened 24-hours daily, situated between Entrances 7 and 8, Arrival Hall, 2nd floor of the Passenger Terminal. Furthermore, passengers can contact Airport Information Counters available throughout the Passenger Terminal. Suvarnabhumi Airport also has foreign language interpreter/translator available in Chinese, Japanese, Russian and Korean to help passengers.

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