Dutch Embassy: Demonstrations in Bangkok (update January 9)

In the run-up to the announced elections on February 2, 2014, the opposition movement has announced roadblocks in and around central Bangkok from Monday, January 13. While not aimed at foreigners, they are expected to cause at least significant traffic disruption to all travelers to central Bangkok.

For an up-to-date overview of the traffic situation in Bangkok, we recommend that you download the BMA Live Traffic App, closely monitor the local media and stay alert for gatherings and demonstrations.

Because the blockades are mainly aimed at the city center and government buildings, you will probably notice less or little of them in other places in Bangkok. Here too, however, nuisance cannot be ruled out in the coming days. The authorities and the opposition movement have indicated that Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang will not be blocked.

The sky train to and from the airport, the sky train in the center and the metro will also operate normally. Because many people will use these means of transport for lack of an alternative, we recommend that you allow ample travel time margins to and from the airport. The blockades are expected to last at least several days. Taxis and tuktuks are unlikely to be allowed through the blockades.

It cannot be ruled out that passers-by around the blockades will react agitated after a few days or otherwise express their displeasure. This can lead to the use of force. Therefore, if possible, stay away from these places and if they are the only way to your destination, exercise extreme caution. The embassy will be open normally in the coming week, but it is located in the area that is likely to be less accessible.

In the tourist centers outside Bangkok, the situation is normal. If you travel via Bangkok to a destination in Thailand in the coming week, we advise you not to travel through the center of Bangkok, but if possible.

Also follow us on Twitter (NLBangkok). We would also like to point out the option of registering with the embassy so that we can inform you by SMS about unforeseen developments in the security situation, if necessary.

For an overview of the announced locations in central Bangkok, see the map below. Whether these will indeed be the places where roads and intersections will be closed cannot be said with certainty. In many cases, these are human blockages that can move easily.

1) Rama IV and Witthayu road intersection (Lumphini metro station) 2) Sukhumvit road and Asok Montri road intersection (Terminal 21, BTS asok 3) Rama I and Ratchadamri road intersection (central world) 4) Phayathai and Rama I intersection (MBK, Siam discovery) 5) roundabout Victory monument (BTS Victory monument).