The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) issued an update of the political developments on yesterday at 3pm Bangkok time regarding the ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok. Incidents have occurred over the last couple of days and yesterday afternoon. Tourists have not been hurt by any of the incidents.
Life in more parts of Bangkok and throughout Thailand continues as per normal, according to TAT. Traffic in most parts of Bangkok is moving normally. Tourist attractions such as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and Temple of Dawn are open. Chatuchak Weekend Market was also unaffected over the weekend. Banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenience stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the likes are open and operating as per normal. Shopping venues in the rally areas may change their operating hours. Telephone service (landline and mobile) and internet services are still available as per normal. Airports throughout Thailand are open and fully operational as per normal. However, do allocate at least four hours prior to your scheduled flight departure time and check your flight status prior to travelling out from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports.
Available Transportation Within Bangkok
- The BTS skytrain runs between Mo Chit and Bearing Stations (Sukhumvit Line), and between National Stadium and Bang Wa Stations (Silom Line).
- The MRT subway runs between Bang Sue and Hua Lam Phong Stations.
- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) operates several bus and van services throughout Bangkok. Some 20 bus routes may be adjusted to avoid the protest areas.
- Boat and ferry services on Saen Saeb Canal and the Chao Phraya River.
Transportation To and From the Bangkok Airports
- The Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s SA Express and SA City Line trains run between Suvarnabhumi International 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.
- Some 6,000 taxis registered with Airports of Thailand (AOT) have been given special stickers to show that the vehicles are carrying tourists.
TAT has advised tourist to be vigilant and to avoid the rally locations as well as areas where large crowds of demonstrators may gather, including routings of the anti-government demonstrators’ daily marches.
Major Rally Locations To Avoid
(At the six downtown intersections and nearby streets)
- Pathumwan
- Rajaprasong
- Silom (Lumpini Park)
- Lat Phrao
- Asoke
- Victory Monument roundabout
Tourist assistance measures
- A Tourist’s Friend Centre (TFC) is open at the Sports Authority of Thailand at Hua Mark Stadium and a Tourist Care Unit at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s Arrival hall, Second floor, Gate 7 to coordinate with all concerned public and private agencies to provide assistance to tourists. Direct Tel: +66 (0) 2314 1212.
- A Tourist Help Desk is available at BTS skytrain Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Sala-Daeng Stations.
- A Shuttle Bus Pick-up Point is located at the Jewellery Trade Tower, Windsor Suites Hotel and Twin Towers Hotel. Each location has 1 bus, 2 vans and 1 boat on standby. The pick-up point may change as deemed appropriate by the responsible agencies.
- Rapid Tourist Police units and 50 volunteers are on standby to assist tourists who may require to travelling through the demonstration areas. In addition, accommodation near the airports will be reserved for tourists waiting or arriving late for their flights.
- At Suvarnabhumi International Airport, an Airport Operation Centre offers assistance to passengers at check-in counter row R, Departure Hall, 4th floor of the Passenger Terminal. Waiting areas have also been assigned for passengers missing their flights due to the travel uncertainties from Bangkok downtown.
- In addition, Suvarnabhumi Airport also deploys a group of facilitation personnel from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Hotels Association to assist passengers near the AOT Information Counter, Arrival Hall, 2nd floor of the Passenger Terminal.
Useful contact numbers:
- Tourist’s Friend Centre +66 (0) 2314 1212
- TAT Call Centre 1672
- Tourist Police Call Centre 1155
- Traffic Police Call Centre 1197
- BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348
- BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000
- MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200
- SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690
- Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490
- AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722
- Suvarnabhumi Airport Operation Centre (temporary) +66 (0) 2132-9950 or 2
- Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111
- Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771
- Nok Air Call Centre 1318
- Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999
- Embassy of the Republic of Singapore – +6622862111 (129 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120). Emergency Contact +66818443580 or +6563798000
The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore has also issued a Travel Notice for Thailand (updated on 18 January 2014).
The Thai Government has extended the Internal Security Act (ISA), which was imposed on 25 November 2013, for 60 more days until 1 March 2014. It covers all districts of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani’s Lardlumkaew district and Samut Prakarn’s Bang Pli district (which includes Suvarnabhumi Airport).
Political demonstrations continue in and around Bangkok and in several provinces in Thailand. Since 13 January 2013, protestors have occupied seven major intersections in Bangkok. Protest sites include major intersections at Asok, Pathumwan, Lumpini, Victory Monument, Ratchaprasong, Lad Phrao, Silom, and Chaeng Wattana. Some protest sites are located in the vicinity of shopping malls like MBK, Siam Paragon, Central World and Terminal 21. Protest marches and new rallying points, such as government buildings, could be announced at short notice. There have been incidents of violence at protest sites and during protest marches, including bombings and drive-by shootings, which led to some deaths and injuries.
Singaporeans who wish to travel to Bangkok during this period should avoid large gatherings and protest marches, as well as all protests sites and their vicinity during the day and especially at night. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational, and escalate into violence without warning. Traffic disruptions, blockages and delays can be expected to be severe. Singaporeans in Bangkok should monitor local news and developments closely, take all necessary precautions for personal safety, and purchase comprehensive travel and medical insurance. In addition, Singaporeans are encouraged to eRegister with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at so that we may contact you should the need arise. Singaporeans who are in need of consular assistance while in Bangkok may contact our Embassy in Bangkok or the 24 hr MFA Duty Office at:
Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Thailand
129 South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120
Tel: +66-(2) 286-2111 or +66-(81) 844-3580 (24-hours)
Fax: +66-(2) 287-2578
Email: singemb_bkk@sgmfa.gov.sgMinistry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24-hours)
Tel: 6379 8800, 6379 8855
Fax: 6476-7302
Email: mfa_duty_officer@mfa.gov.sg
