Q&As: Thailand Political Developments
Issued at Bangkok at 12.00 (GMT+7) on 28 November 2013
Q: Have there been any cancellation on tour or hotel bookings due to the protests in
Bangkok?
 According to the TAT offices in Thailand, bookings still continue to come in for the
current high-season, which normally lasts between the middle of October and the
end of March.

In Hua Hin, forward booking situation remains normal at about 65% occupancy. The
TAT Prachuab Khiri Khan Office anticipates “no impact” if the protest will not turn to
violence.

In Krabi, forward booking situation remains normal, especially during December
where advance bookings at some hotels are already at 90% occupancy while many
five-star hotels are fully booked. There are no cancellation requests, except many
inquiries about the protests.

From the TAT offices in overseas, there have been many inquires about the protest
situation, but the overall tour booking situation remains normal.

The TAT Osaka office reported a “status quo” from the market. However, the office
noted that the advisory issued by the Japanese Embassy in Thailand since 25
November, 2013 may cause some “impact” on tourist’s decision to book tour
packages. The office is constantly monitoring the situation.

The TAT Chengdu office had conducted a survey with 24 tour companies in Chengdu
and 16 companies in Chongqing, and revealed that some tour companies that
promote Bangkok programmes have cancelled visits to the Grand Palace and
Vimanmek Mansion, but have not cancelled the tour to Bangkok.

Only two tour companies in Sichuan provinces that have cancelled tour programme
to Bangkok for the current period, totalling only 22 tourists.
Q: Is it safe and convenient to travel to Thailand at this time due to the protest in
Bangkok and other provinces?

For tourists visiting the kingdom, it should be stressed that all of the locations
occupied and may be occupied by the anti-government protesters in Bangkok and
other provinces are not tourist attractions.

Foreigners and/or tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing political protest.
However, foreigners are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may
gather.

Apart from causing heavy road traffic during the anti-government protesters’ marches
to government offices, it should be stressed there has been no report of chaos or
violence en route or at in any of the protest locations.
Q: Should tourist avoid travelling to Thailand for now?

There is no reason at all for tourists to avoid travelling to Thailand. All of the locations
occupied or may be occupied by the protesters are not tourist attractions.

However, the gathering and marching of large crowds in certain areas of Bangkok,
and other provinces’ administration halls may cause heavy road traffic at certain
times.

In Bangkok, other than the inconvenience of heavy road traffic, tourists can still visit
several tourist attractions. Tourists can avoid getting caught in traffic by using
alternative means of transportations.

Tourists can take BTS Skytrain or MRT Subway to connect between their
accommodation and other tourist attractions including shopping malls, parks, local
markets, temples, historical attractions and the Chao Phraya River.

From BTS Saphan Taksin Station, tourists can take water-transport such as
passenger ferry, long-tailed boat and hotel’s rice barges to connect to attractions
located on the river banks such as the Temple of Dawn, the National Museum of
Royal Barge and ASIATIQUE The Riverfront.

Tourists can also take BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway to connect between their
accommodation and Suvarnabhumi Airport, using the Airport Rail Link from the
Makkasan Terminal Station. The Suvarnabhumi-Makkasan Express Train takes
about 15 minutes.

From the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link Makkasan Station, a BTS ride from Phaya
Thai to Sukhumvit or Silom or Siam or Saphan Taksin or Victory Monument takes
between 10 to 30 minutes. It takes about the same time to connect between the rail
link terminal station to Lat Prao, Sukhumvit, Lumpini using MRT Subway services.

Tourists can also travel to other parts of Thailand directly from Suvarnabhumi Airport,
which serves most international and domestic airlines, or Don Mueang Airport, which
mainly serves low-cost carriers.

Don Mueang Airport is located 47.5 kilometres northwest of Suvarnabhumi Airport or
34 minutes by car via expressway.

International and domestic airlines are operating flights between Bangkok and Thai
cities, as well as destinations around the world, as per normal.

Chiang Mai, located 716 kilometres north of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or 7
hours 44 minutes by car or 1 hour 10 minutes by air

Phuket, located 865 kilometres south of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or 9 hours
50 minutes by car or 1 hour 25 minutes by air

Pattaya, located 120 kilometres southeast of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or 1
hour 17 minutes by car

Hua Hin, located 227.5 kilometres southwest of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or
2 hours 40 minutes by car

Koh Samui, located 804 kilometres southwest of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or
10 hours 34 minutes by car and ferry or 1 hour 5 minutes by air

Khon Kaen, located 458 kilometres northeast of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or
5 hours by car or 55 minutes by air

Nong Khai, located 630 kilometres northeast of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport or
7 hours 5 minutes by car
Q: Is it safe to travel to Bangkok and getting around in the city while the
demonstrations are taking place?

Tourists can travel to Bangkok, and getting out and about in the city. Tourist
attractions and activities in the Thai capital are open and operating as per normal.

It should be stressed that international tourists or foreigners are not the target of the
current political protests.

Mass transit networks in Bangkok, including BTS Skytrain, MRT Subway and city
buses are operating as usual.

However, due to the protests being concentrated in three districts of Bangkok - Dusit,
Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai - the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority
(BMTA) has temporarily rerouted 12 city bus routes, comprising Bus No. 2, No. 12.
No. 15, No. 23, No. 47, No. 59, No. 60, No. 68, No. 82, No. 503, No. 511 and No.
556.

Transportation to and from Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports into central
Bangkok as well as into tourist destinations southeast and southwest of Bangkok
such as Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samet and Ko Chang are operating as per normal.

However, Suvarnabhumi Airport has advised air travellers of possible heavy road
traffic and a lack of taxis resulting from the protests in Bangkok. The airport has
advised commuters to use public transport such as BTS Skytrain, Airport Link, public
buses and vans, and limousine services.

Air travellers are also advised to allocate more time before flight depart or at least
three hours.
Q: Why did the Thai government extend the enforcement of security law in Bangkok
and nearby provinces? Is the government planning to launch a crackdown on the
protesters?

The Thai Government has extended the enforcement of the Internal Security Act
(ISA) in all districts of Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan
and Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani until 31 December to maintain law and
order.

The prime minister has assured that the government would not use force against the
protesters, but will deal with them in accordance to international standards.

The law prohibits mass gathering in the ISA-invoked areas. While the law does not
prohibit nor obstruct peaceful demonstration held within the bounds of the law, it
enables security agencies - police, military and civilian - to effectively prevent and
mitigate, as much as possible, undue disruption or impact on the safety of the
general public.
Q: Is there any chance that Suvarnabhumi Airport will be closed by the protestors as
occurred in late 2008?

Security has been stepped up at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports and other
airports throughout the country, as well as government agencies, to ensure that there
will not be any disruptions to public infrastructure and transportation.

At this time, both international airports in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang)
and all other international and domestic airports throughout Thailand are open and
operating normally.
Q: Which areas that the demonstrations are taking places?


As of today, the anti-government protesters are staging their campaigns at the
following locations, which are not tourist attractions:
 Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue
 Nang Lerng Junction on Nakhonsawan-Phitsanulok Roads
 Sanam Luang on Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue
 Makkawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
 Ministry of Finance on Rama VI Road
 Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road
o Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
o Ministry of Justice and its Department of Special Investigation
The anti-government protesters are also rallying at the following government offices,
which are not tourist attractions:
o Ministry of Tourism and Sports on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
o Ministry of Transport on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue
o Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on Ratchadanoen Nok Avenue
o Ministry of Commerce on Nonthaburi Road
o Ministry of Energy on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
o Ministry of Labour on Mitmaitri Road
o Ministry of Industry on Rama VI Road
o Ministry of Social Development and Human Security on Damrong Rak Road
o Ministry of Culture on Borommaratchachonnani Road
o
Ministry of Public Health on Tivanond Road

Today, they are marching to the following locations:
 Ministry of Defence on Sanam Chai Road
 Ministry of Education on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road
 Royal Thai Police on Rama I Road

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Consular Affairs at the Government
Complex on Chaengwattana Road is open and operating as per normal. However,
there may be heavy road traffic within and around the area.

Meanwhile, the pro-government supporters are staging their campaign at
Rajamangala Stadium on Ramkhamhaeng Road. The area is in the eastern part of
Bangkok and far off from the above areas occupied or targeted by the antigovernment protesters.

Outside of Bangkok, the anti-government protesters are rallying their campaigns at
provincial city halls of, such as, Trang, Songkhla, Satun, Krabi, Nakhon Si
Thammarat, Chumphon, Yala, Ranong, Pattalung, Surat Thani, Phuket, Phang-nga
and Chai Nat. Officials have confirmed that none of the provincial halls have been
seized by the protesters. No chaos or violence has been reported.
Q: Where in Bangkok can tourists go to during the demonstrations?

All tourist attractions in Bangkok, such as, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha on Na Phra Lan Road, Vimanmek Mansion on Rajvithi Road, Siam
Paragon on Rama I Road, parks, temples, historical sites and theme parks are open
and operating as per normal.

However, tourists are advised to check travel route and road traffic situation as well
as avoid areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be heavy road
traffic at certain times and thus causing inconvenience.

All tourist attractions in other Thai provinces are open and operating as per normal.
Q: Is it safe for tourists to go to the demonstration areas for observation and taking
photographs?

Tourists are advised to use common sense and avoid areas where the
demonstrations are taking place or where crowds may gather. This is because there
may be traffic disruptions or delays, thus causing inconvenience.

Bangkok offers a wealth of tourist attractions and activities, and tourists can better
enjoy their holiday times by not getting caught in traffic disruptions or delays, which
may occur, near the demonstration sites.

For more information on tourist attractions and activities in Bangkok, call the Tourism
Authority of Thailand Contact Centre 1672.

Other 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
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
Airports of Thailand Call Centre 1722
Thai Airways International (THAI) Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111
Bangkok Airways Reservation Centre 1771
Nok Air Call Centre 1318
Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999