Bangkok demonstrations – latest Thailand tourism emergency update

The Destination Asia Team (Thailand)had been updating eTN throughout the crisis in Bangkok. Here is today’s situation report from Bangkol.

The Bangkok situation as of Friday the 28th February 2014. Our day to day operations and transfer services continue to operate as normal, and our daily sightseeing tours are continuing as scheduled. The State of Emergency in Bangkok remains in place, although no freedom of movement restrictions or night time curfews have been imposed.

The current situation in Bangkok is one of calm and the heightened tensions from the start of the week seem to be dying down – at the moment we have come a what can be only described as a “stalemate” with not much being done to ease the current political temperature.

The blockade of the core downtown protest sites from MBK to Siam Paragon (Rama 1 Road) to Central World, (Rajaprasong intersection) to Central Chidlom remains. The section between Sukhumvit Soi 19 to Central Chidlom (Soi Langsuan) is open to traffic and the blockade at Asoke (Sukhumvit intersection) still remains in place. Please note that sporadic incidents and out breaks of violence may occur without warning, so we again emphasize that all visitors should stay clear of these blocked intersections and areas of demonstrations, especially in the evening. All visitors should pay attention to local news and media reports for additional information and details and should exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, be alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Bangkok’s main shopping malls are affected by the demonstration sites (MBK, Siam Paragon, Central World, Central Chitlom, Terminal 21) at this time we strongly recommend that you stay clear of these shopping malls (due to their close proximity to the core demonstration sites) – There are alternative shopping areas available located away from the demonstrations sites such as Emporium, Asiatique, Central Rama 3, River City, Thonglor/ Ekamai, directions and more information can be obtained from your Destination Asia representative/guide or via a hotel concierge.

Bangkok continues to function at a near normal level with most businesses and offices continuing to operate, and people are able to move around the city freely. The public transport systems including the BTS Sky train, the MRT Subway and the Airport Rail Link continue to operate as scheduled, as do the rail services and bus links from Bangkok to the provinces. Pick up times from the city center hotels for transfers to the airport remain at 4 hours prior to flight departure, in case of any road blockages or diversions.

All areas outside Bangkok and other tourist destinations within Thailand such as Phuket, Samui, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai remain fully operational and are not affected by the demonstrations. We also wish to make clear that these out-of-Bangkok destinations fall outside the jurisdiction of this State of Emergency.