Roads outside Central World mall (above) were filled with anti-government protesters yesterday — Credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand
THAILAND’S anti-government protesters have not budged from their blockade of Bangkok’s key intersections, but tourist amenities and transport facilities are operating as per usual, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Protesters launched a Bangkok “shutdown” yesterday as previously declared, occupying seven areas that are linked to 16 main roads. According to news agency Reuters, protesters said they would step up the blockade around ministries today.
But a TAT news release issued yesterday said the protests have been peaceful thus far. “Most businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the likes are open and operating as per normal, albeit some changes in the opening hours. Telephone – landline and mobile – and Internet services are available 24/7,” it stated.
While Thailand’s airports remain open, the NTO advised that travellers allocate at least four hours ahead of departure time for travel to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
Thailand’s The Nation reported that traffic was light in the capital as residents avoided travelling by car, stayed home or turned to river boats along Bangkok’s waterways.
Tourist Care operations have been set up at the Sports Authority of Thailand at Hua Mark Stadium, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports to coordinate with all concerned public and private agencies to provide assistance to tourists. Tourists Help Desks have also been set up at Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Wong Wian Yai BTS skytrain stations and Hua Lamphong MRT subway station.
Meanwhile, DMC Destination Asia Thailand in an email update today said: “While the protests yesterday and overnight were peaceful and largely took on a festive atmosphere, we continue to recommend that all visitors to the city stay clear of blocked intersections and all areas of demonstrations.
“We are pleased to report that these protests have so far been peaceful, and we have received no reports relating to civil unrest or other incidents overnight. Our day-to-day operations have continued as normal with no issues reported and our daily sightseeing tours are continuing as scheduled.”
Diethelm Travel Thailand’s email update yesterday also noted: “The anti–government demonstrations in Bangkok have been peaceful and their leaders have pledged not to close down airports, BTS sky trains or MRT metro system, which are operating normally. We are continually monitoring the situation and want to stress that to date no tourists have been targeted during any demonstration.”
For more information on adjusted travel schedules in Bangkok and updates, visit www.TATnews.org.
Look out for our news analysis on the deadlock in TTG Asia January 17 – February 20, 2013
