Thailand Political Situation - TCEB Update 21 May 2014 at 16.00 hrs. (GMT+7)

The imposition of martial law that covers the entire Thailand from 03.00 hours yesterday has had no effect on the daily life of the Thai people. Both local residents and business travellers can continue to carry out their daily life as well as travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the kingdom as usual.

The Royal Thai Army explained that the invocation of martial law was not a coup, but a mean to maintain peace and order for the nation. It will certainly not be invoked for longer than necessary, and it will not be used beyond the bounds of the Constitution. There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or any other MICE destinations in Thailand. Local residents and business travellers can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.

Meanwhile, the situation at the rally sites of both anti- and pro-government groups in Bangkok remains normal. The anti-government group’s rally sites are situated on certain parts of Ratchadamnoen Avenue (Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge and Democracy Monument) and Chaeng Wattana Road (Government Complex). The pro-government group’s rally site is on Aksa Road in Bangkok’s western outskirts.

Roads in Bangkok’s areas where the protests are taking place may experience heavy traffic or a temporary closure due to large crowds gathering and blockage of traffic lane by the protesters’ rally activities. Business travellers visiting the kingdom are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites as well as areas where crowds may gather.

Despite traffic disruptions on certain roads in Bangkok due to the current political demonstrations, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual. However, business travellers are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays and thus causing inconvenience.

All major MICE venues and tourist attractions in the Thai capital are open normally. Business travellers can visit all venues and attractions using the usual means of transport, including buses, vans and car transfers by tour companies, taxis, 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 like 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.

Apart from Bangkok, others MICE cities in Thailand (Chiangmai, Phuket, Pattaya, Khon Kaen) can offer unbeatable diversity of choice for business events of any type and scale. All business events venues and tourist attractions and activities in MICE cities are not affected, and continue as usual.

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 three-four hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time and to check flight status prior to travelling by Internet.

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