AS POLITICAL tensions in Bangkok continue to escalate, more countries have issued or revised travel warnings to their citizens visiting Thailand.
Singapore updated its travel notice yesterday, noting that the Thai government has expanded the Internal Security Act to all districts of Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani’s Lardlumkaew district and Samut Prakarn’s Bang Pli district, including Suvarnabhumi Airport.
It stated: “Political demonstrations have now expanded beyond the main protest area at the Democracy Monument along Ratchadamnoen Avenue and are taking place in various locations within Bangkok, including at some government buildings.
“Protest areas may also include popular tourist areas like Silom Road and Ratchaprasong intersection, and new locations for street protests could be announced at short notice.”
This is in contrast to earlier this month when demonstrators mainly gathered at the Democracy Monument (TTG Asia e-Daily, November 5, 2013).
According to a report in the Bangkok Post, 23 countries have issued travel advisory notices, such as the US, the UK, France, Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea.
However, many tour operators are still reporting business as usual.
In an email to partners yesterday, Destination Asia Thailand said: “Largely these demonstrations are of a peaceful nature and do not affect our day-to-day operations.
“Our daily sightseeing programmes are operating as normal – on some tours we have substituted the bus with river transport where possible in order to avoid the traffic congestion.”
A check with major outbound agencies by Singapore broadcaster Channel NewsAsia also found no cancellations at press time.
Chan Brothers Travel’s manager for marketing communications, Jane Chang, was quoted as saying: “As we all know, the protests… are almost an annual affair in Bangkok so that could be the reason why customers are adopting a wait-and-see approach to their Bangkok trip.”
