CityNews – Further to our latest update released yesterday afternoon, there has been a new development on the current political situation in Bangkok. Following an increasing number of incidents at rally sites and demonstration marches since last week, including two grenade attacks on last Friday and Sunday, the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra government has imposed a state of emergency for Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces (Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan).
The emergency decree, which will be in place for 60 days, effective today, has been imposed in order to maintain peace and order as well as to provide safety and security for the general public, foreign visitors and the demonstrators. It should be stressed that the emergency decree only covers Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces as stated above and not any other destinations in Thailand. In addition, There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or any other parts of Thailand. Local residents and international visitors can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.
Meanwhile, the ongoing anti-government demonstration sites in downtown Bangkok areas remain peaceful and continue to have a festival atmosphere, especially during the evening. The major rally sites have blocked six downtown intersections and nearby streets – Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Silom (Lumpini Park), Latphrao, 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. The anti-government demonstrators’ daily marches may also cause traffic disruptions on other roads at certain times.
Tourists are still advised to be vigilant and avoid the demonstration areas for their own safety and security, however, it should be stressed that tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations. In addition, despite the closure of major intersections and streets in downtown Bangkok, tourist and emergency vehicles are still allowed to pass freely.
It is business as usual in Thailand
While the demonstrations are taking place in the central Bangkok areas, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as per normal.
Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and international visitors to avoid the demonstration areas. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is also moving normally since all other roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.
All major tourist attractions in the Thai capital, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open normally. Tourists can visit all 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.
Transportation
All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal. Air passengers with flights departing 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 the flight status prior to travelling.
For tourists travelling within Bangkok, the available means of transport are as follows:
- The BTS Skytrain runs between Mo Chit and Bearing Stations (Sukhumvit Line), and between the National Stadium and Bang Wa Stations (Silom Line).
- The MRT subway runs between Bang Sue and Hua Lamphong Stations.
- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates several bus and van services throughout Bangkok. Many bus routes may be adjusted to avoid the protest areas.
- Boat and ferry services on Saen Saep Canal and the Chao Phraya River.
For tourists with flights arriving in or leaving Bangkok, the available means of transport are as follows:
- The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s SA Express and SA City Line trains run between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok downtown (Makkasan City Air Terminal and Phayathai Stations). From the two downtown stations, tourists can connect to and from their destinations using the Skytrain or the subway.
- The State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) northern train line runs through Don Mueang International Airport station to Hua Lamphong Station.
- About 6,000 taxis registered with the Airports of Thailand Public Limited Company (AOT) have been given special stickers to show that the vehicles are carrying tourists, thus allowing them to be able to pass freely through intersections occupied by the demonstrators.
Elsewhere in the country, all means of transport are operating as per normal, including train services by the SRT and bus and van services by the Transport Co., Ltd.
Tourist assistance measures
- The Tourist’s Friend Centre (TFC) – operated by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) – is open 24 hours a day to offer assistance for tourists.
- There are two TFC branches located at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport.
- There are four TFC Help Desks located at the following BTS Skytrain stations: Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Sala Daeng.
- There are three TFC Shuttle Bus Pick-up Points located at the Jewellery Trade Tower, Windsor Suites Hotel and Twin Towers Hotel. Each location has one bus, two vans and one boat on standby. However, the pick-up locations may change as deemed appropriate by the responsible agencies.
- A number of rapid Tourist Police units and 50 volunteers are also on standby to assist tourists who may require travelling through the demonstration areas.
- At Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Airport Operation Centre offers assistance for passengers at check-in counter row R, Departure Hall, 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal. The Airport also deploys a group of facilitation personnel from TAT, ATTA and THA to assist passengers near the AOT Information Counter, Arrival Hall, 2nd floor of the Passenger Terminal.