Thai tourism activities normal despite military coup
Bangkok: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has clarified that the situation is normal in different parts of Thailand in terms of tourism activities.
The military seized power in Thailand last week, saying it planned to return stability after months of unrest.
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, leader of the coup makers (National Council for Peace and Order – NCPO), explained that the council had taken over the authority of the House and the Senate for the time being . The council’s key objectives are to ensure a reform of political, economic and social institutions in order to bring out peace and order to the kingdom.
The 86-year-old monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, endorsed the takeover by Army.
The military coup followed six months of political deadlock as protesters tried to oust the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. At least 28 people were killed and several hundred injured over the course of the protests.
With a nationwide curfew at night , life goes on as per normal in Bangkok and throughout Thailand.
Security has been stepped up in certain areas in the country, including at the provincial hall, train station, power station and bus station, to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence.
Thai military took control of the country on May 22 to prevent further loss of life and prevent the conflict from further escalating. The move came after talks between representatives of opposing sides and top officials failed to reach a common ground.
According to TAT, all airports in Thailand remain open, and air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during the curfew can travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.
However, tourists with arrival and departure flights during the curfew are advised to prepare all travel documents when travelling to and from the airports.
All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai – are open and operating as per normal. Air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew are allowed to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.
Other modes of transport, by road, rail and waterway, are also operating as per normal throughout Thailand, including at key tourist destinations, such as, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai.
All tourism-related businesses and services, including hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, as well as banks, petrol and gas stations, are open and operating as per normal.
May 2014
– See more at: http://www.tatnews.org
