Tourists advised to be vigilant in Bangkok
Bangkok : Tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid the demonstration areas for their own safety and security in Bangkok .
According to Tourism Authority of Thailand, tourists have not been targeted in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations. Despite the closure of major intersections and streets in downtown Bangkok, tourist and emergency vehicles are still allowed to pass freely.
Following an increasing number of incidents at rally sites and demonstration marches since last week, including two grenade attacks, the caretaker Yingluck Shinawatra government has imposed a state of emergency for Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces.
The emergency decree, which will be in place for 60 days, has been imposed in order to maintain peace and order as well as to provide safety and security for the general public, foreign visitors and the demonstrators. Local residents and international visitors can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual, TAT clarifies.
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 per normal.
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.
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory warning all American citizens of the “potential risks of travel to Thailand” particularly Bangkok, due to ongoing political and social unrest ahead of Thai parliamentary elections on February 2, 2014. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings.
Jan. 23, 2014
