Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 23 May 2014 at 15.30 hrs. (GMT+7)

According to the coup’s leader, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the coup would help restore normalcy and national unity, ensure reform of political, economic and social institutions, and ensure legitimacy to all sides.

A nationwide curfew has been imposed from 22.00 – 05.00 hours with effective from yesterday, and martial law to remain in effect until further notice as announced by the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC).

Businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores and convenient stores are adjusting their operating hours to comply with the curfew. Hospitals are open and operating as per normal. However, telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services continue to be available 24/7 as per normal.

The NPOMC offers leniency to all air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew, allowing them to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual. The following measures are advised for business travellers travelling to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:

 Individual business travellers are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents on their person at all times, in case they are required for inspection by the security authorities.

 Group travellers on tour coaches will be taken care of by their respective group leaders when passing through any security checkpoint.

 Taxi services at the Suvarnabhumi Airport are available 24 hours. These taxis have the Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.

 Survarnabhumi Airport Call Center Tel: 1722 is ready for assistance if business travellers need more information.

Business travellers can continue to apply for visa as usual as the NPOMC has called for civil servants at all ministries and government agencies to carry on with their normal duties.

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, Business travellers with arrival and departure flights during the curfew are advised to prepare all travel documents when travelling to and from the airports.

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