Tourists advised to be cautious for safety and security
Bangkok : Tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid the demonstration areas for their own safety and security in Bangkok .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 usual according to Tourism Authority of Thailand .
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.
Thailand is holding the scheduled advance voting , but several voting stations have been disrupted by the anti-government demonstrators as part of their campaign for reform before election. As a result, advance voting in several districts of Bangkok and other provinces has been cancelled.
On 28 January 2014, there will be a discussion whether the general election scheduled for 2 February 2014 will be postponed following the Constitution Court’s ruling on 24 January 2014 that a delay was legally possible.
The situation at the ongoing anti-government demonstration sites in Bangkok remains normal and continues to take place at six downtown intersections – 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 are also holding their daily marches to different parts of the city during the day.
Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces (Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan) remain under a state of emergency, which has been imposed to maintain peace and order, as well as to provide safety and security for the general public, foreign visitors and the demonstrators. The 60-day emergency decree has been in place since 22 January 2014.
The emergency decree currently covers Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces as stated above only and not any other destinations in Thailand. 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 , TAT states .
Jan 26, 2014
