Fears of weekend violence in Bangkok
Police are preparing for violent clashes in Bangkok this weekend as protestors on both sides take to the streets.
Tear gas was used yesterday against hundreds of protesters holding a rally outside a government compound in the city, two days after a court ousted Thailan’s Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra.
According to reports, four people were hurt when they tried to push over concrete barriers outside the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order.
Anti-government protestors are planning to rally at several sites in Bangkok this weekend, while government supports, known as ‘red shirts’ are also planning a mass rally tomorrow (Saturday).
With both sides planning demonstrations, police are preparing for possible clashes.
So far, 25 people have been killed since the anti-government protesters began their campaign in November.
As of today, due to the large number of crowds gathering on Sukhumvit Road (Bangna-Samut Prakan), Government House, TV Channels (3, 5, 7, 9 and 11) and the Police Club (on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road), roads in the affected areas may experience heavy traffic or a temporary closure. Air passengers with flights depart out of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are advised to allocate at least 3-4 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is closely monitoring the situation, and would like to inform tourists and the tourism industry that all concerned public and private agencies will exercise utmost efforts to ensure tourist’s convenience. All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as per normal.
Despite traffic disruptions on certain roads in Bangkok due to the current demonstrations, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual. However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays and thus causing inconvenience. Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and international visitors to avoid the demonstration sites and rally routes. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is moving normally as almost all 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. Businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the like are open and operating as per normal. Telephone both landline and mobile and Internet services are available 24/7 as per normal.
All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.
Tourists with flights arriving in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airports) and wish to see Thailand’s wealth of cultural and natural attractions outside of the Thai capital are recommended to make use of the many daily domestic flights, as well as bus and car transfers, to get to other popular destinations, such as, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Khon Kaen and Sukhothai.
– See more at: http://uk.blog.tourismthailand.co.uk/2013/11/13/situation-update-political-protests-in-bangkok-as-of-13-november-2013/#sthash.PAuvvNfD.dpuf
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said it is closely monitoring the situation and said it would "exercise utmost efforts to ensure tourist’s convenience".
"All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as per normal," it said.
But it advised tourists to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather.
Due to traffic disruptions, it also advised air passengers travelling from Bangkok airports to allow at least 3-4 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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