Travel Safely in Bangkok - Thailand Situation Update (May 20, 2010)

Description

The latest updates on the on-going political issues in Bangkok are available here. Check safety information and travel tips to ensure that your stay in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand remain safe and enjoyable.

As the anti-government rallies continue in several parts of the Kingdom, Thai Government has announced curfuew in Bangkok and other provinces under the Emergency Decree (the list is available at the bottom of the page). Following this announcement, people in the designated areas are not allowed to leave homes between 9:00 pm to 5:00 am unitl Sunday morning (May 23, 5:00 am GST+7). All tourists and foreign nationals are advised to carry their passport or some form of ID and evidence of residence to gain access if stopped by the authorities .

As of May 20, 2010, the security at the following sites has been tightened.

• Ratchaprasong and nearby intersections including Ploenchit Road, Witthayu Road, Rama I Road and Rajdamri Road.
• Lumpini Park and Chulalongkorn Hospital
• Pathumwan intersection to Charoenpol
• Pratunam intersection to Makkasan
• Phayathai Road, Petchburi Road and Witthayu (Wireless) Road
• Rama IV: both sideroad from Sala Daeng to Klong Toey
• Ratchaprarop Road
• Din Daeng intersection
• Expressway exit at Bon Kai
• Victory Monument
• Soi Rang Nam
• Sam Yan

Visitors and tourists are advised to avoid the above sites as well as any areas where crowds may gather.
Moreover, residents of the sealed area will need to show identification documents to enter the zone.

For security reasons, the following department stores and shopping malls remain closed until further notice:

• CentralWorld, Zen, Big C Rajdamri, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin Plaza, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, MBK , Platinum Mall, Panthip Plaza, Lumpini Boxing Stadium and Center One
• All branches of Central department stores EXCEPT Rangsit, Hadyai, Phuket and Pattaya Beach branches

Other shopping venues and tourists attractions are open as usual. However, if these venues are located in Bangkok and other areas where curfew has been imposed, they are opened to visit till 8:00 pm only.

The hotels located at Ratchaprasong intersection and nearby areas (as listed below) are temporary closed:

• Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Holiday Inn Bangkok, Intercontinental Bangkok, Four Seasons Bangkok and Dusit Thani Bangkok

Suvarnabhumi International Airport and all other airports in the Kingdom operate as normal.

Both BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway Service are closed at all stations and lines on Monday, May 17, 2010.

Travelling to other parts of Thailand, such as Phuket and Koh Samui, has not been affected. Tourism activities in all other areas continue as normal. MICE venues in all other areas of Bangkok and around Thailand are also operating as usual.

Tourists visiting Thailand are advised to be vigilant, particularly in areas where demonstrations are held. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has set up a 24-hour English language hotline at 1672, from which tourists may inquire for further information. Tourist Police can also be reached at 1155.

To find out more about the current situation, please visit Tourism Thailand Update from Tourism Authority of Thailand.

For the latest news and updates, visit local English news portals such as The Nation and Bangkok Post.