Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 7 January 2014 at 13.30 (GMT+7)

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 to step down by organising massive demonstrations in a peaceful manner in Bangkok on 13 January 2014. The group has been organising a daily warm-up rally to different parts of the city since Sunday (5 January 2014).

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is closely monitoring the situation, and would like to inform business travelers and the MICE industry that all concerned public and private agencies will exercise utmost efforts to ensure business travelers ’s convenience. All public transport and MICE venues will open and operating as per normal.

For business travelers visiting the kingdom, it should be stressed that business travelers have not been targeted in the ongoing political demonstrations. MICE venues and activities in Bangkok and throughout the country are open and operating as per normal, but business travelers 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 business travelers visiting Thailand and entering the country through Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports, business travelers can travel directly to major destinations throughout the country via various transportation means available at the airport.

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

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