STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR BANGKOK
Thailand's outgoing government led by Prime Minister Yingluck has declared a state of emergency for Bangkok and parts of the surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan this afternoon.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the measure is necessary to give the authorities the opportunity to better control the demonstrations and to "protect democracy". The so-called 'emergency decree' will remain in force for the time being for two months.
Until now, the government and the high command of the armed forces, the most important factor in the effective implementation of the state of emergency, have taken a wait-and-see approach. The less far-reaching Internal Security Act was considered sufficient. But two grenade attacks on Friday and Sunday have changed the authorities' minds.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung has been appointed director of the crisis center CRES by the government. He will have to see to it that the police receive assistance from the army in law enforcement where necessary.
Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban has said tonight that he will defy any orders given under the state of emergency. "We are going to step up our rallies to counter the state of emergency." According to Suthep, the measure will mobilize more protesters. He says there is no reason to declare a state of emergency, as all rallies have been peaceful so far. "The declaration of a state of emergency proves that the government has been cornered by the demonstrators."
What does the state of emergency entail?
- The ability to set a curfew.
- Arrest of persons.
- Detention without a summons.
- Media censorship.
- The ability to prohibit gatherings.
- Declare parts of the city off limits.
No postponement of elections
According to Bangkok Post there is nothing to point to the postponement of the February 2 elections, the main demand of the protest movement. The Electoral Council also wishes to postpone the elections and will submit the matter to the Constitutional Court tomorrow, according to a spokesman for the Electoral Council. According to the Council, orderly elections to the House of Representatives cannot be held under the current circumstances.
See further Bangkok Breaking News from today.
This will have far-reaching consequences for tourism and the country's economy…. What a mess they manage to make of it every time… sigh.
It is remarkable that the Dutch media reported the news earlier than the Thai…
@ Hans Bos Does your comment also apply to the Thai-language media? That seems unlikely to me.
tear down those podiums, end yellow shirt crab, traffic and trade should be able to go their own way again, pick up protest leaders who disrupt things, end Suthep shit.
Moderator: comment on the article and not just each other.
Keesausholland would perhaps gather some more information about Thailand there has NEVER been a real democratic election, certainly not the last one there was money thrown by the family of the
current president? But the Thai problem is corruption and then you have to listen who is going to do that
don't try to change Suthpet or he has to keep his promises I do NOT want to be in one or the other
government a post ?Unfortunately here in Udon Thani a mass demonstration was organized by the red
party instead of 10000 there were less than 500 the people here the poor population is starting to understand that of all
those beautiful promises didn't get much in the house even worse eg the wages per day 300 bath try that here
in the north to get paid most companies have threatened to cut their staff
thank and close the business ! So an exception has to be made for this RED region
300 bath not pay?
This law only applies in Bangkok and good regions, so you also know that many people want to take to the streets in Bangkok?
Four hours later and the Foreign Affairs Travel Advice app has not yet been adjusted. That will happen tomorrow...
Moderator: Please only respond to the news that is here otherwise it will get confusing.
Dear Khan Peter
As a Thailand expert, you cannot be surprised by this step: a state of emergency has been declared.
I think that if there have been massive demonstrations for months and Yingluck does not want to resign or put an end to the corruption that has made her and her family so famous, then it will of course be a tough fight.
I think tourism is of totally secondary importance compared to Yingluck's corrupt political policies.
With Yingluck, the national debt would reach unprecedented proportions due to the rice mortgage system or unorganized water management assignments.
The huge crowds in Bangkok want to get rid of corruption and not saddle their children with enormous national debt, which often flows directly to the country's administrators.
I think it would be good if there were non-violent demonstrations against corruption.
Things will go wrong if the police or the red shirts start making all kinds of plans (with violence) to put an end to these demonstrations and it is starting to look like that given the last few days.
People who thought that these enormous crowds would automatically go home again after months of sitting, standing and sleeping on the street will be mistaken, I think.
Honesty lasts the longest and is a good goal.
greetings from Danny
.
Nothing surprises me anymore and I have to be careful not to become cynical. I recently read that neighboring Laos now has the fastest growing economy in the region. That says enough. Some Thais are especially adept at shooting themselves in the foot.
It is very sad for the well-intentioned citizens.
Just googling when we talk about corruption….
Suthep was in court less than ten years ago as a Minister… Accused of selling land for poor farmers to… His rich friends…. What do you mean corruption of Red Shirts... They can do something about that!
I returned from Bangkok last night, where I was in Sukhhumvit for almost 3 weeks. It is the yellow shirts led by the corrupt Sethep who are "paid" to demonstrate there. Bangkok has plenty of rich people, but not as many as have now emerged. The end apparently justifies the means and that is not only out of national interest, but out of personal interest. I actually looked at it in amazement.
Hope my response is not too short and will be removed by the moderator, but "crooks are caught with crooks"
Hello, we are flying (next week) January 29 to Bangkok.. Because a state of emergency has now been declared, I am very worried whether it is safe enough to go. We want to travel straight away to Ayutthaya and then to Chiang mai, does anyone know how to get from the airport to the (bus/train) station (which?) in Bangkok given this situation? Thank you in advance.
Dear Debbie,
Are you worried about your holiday or about the Thai in your holiday country…Thailand?
I hope the latter, but fear the former.
In Thailand it is very restless in some places and those places (especially in Bangkok) change every day.
This blog reports news of events almost every day.
As you can imagine, no one can guarantee certainty in this kind of situation of political unrest.
If you are flexible and accept any inconveniences in this country that is undergoing political development, then there are a lot fewer problems than if you want everything to be punctual and organized.
Even the embassy regularly gives travel advice… without guarantees, of course.
From the airport you can take a taxi or skytrain to Mo Chit bus station. Personally, I can recommend the sky train (Airport Rail link) because of the protests on the street and then transfer at Phaya Thai station to Mo Chit bus station.
You can get a good map at the airport with the Sky and metro lines.
Traveling is fun if you are creative, flexible and want to contribute to the country you love.
Fears are bad counselors.
greetings from Danny
If you want to go to Thailand as a normal tourist for a holiday, a first time or a repeat because the last time was so good, then I can well imagine that someone is concerned: not in the first instance about the Thai, of course not. Just worry about your vacation. You worked hard for it, saved up, looked forward to it. And now all those reports about political unrest. As a normal tourist on your way to the LOS, you really hope that you will not experience what has happened on TV in recent years, and as Thailand can also be: waiting people at airports, weeks of occupations, a state of siege with victims. Has many Thailand enthusiasts still in the memory and fresh on the retina.
Then it's a good thing that you can express your concerns on Thailandblog, for example, and ask for advice and advice about, for example, how to get from the airport to the hotel, and whether it is still so favorable to stay in BKK. Wouldn't it be better to fly straight to Chiangmai, for example? All valid concerns and questions. That doesn't mean anyone doesn't care about what Thai people are doing right now. Worries about your own holiday go hand in hand with a sense of involvement. You think about your holiday in Thailand, and about the people in Thailand.
It is good to know now that a state of emergency has been declared that the political unrest is still happening in the center of BKK. There have been demonstrations here and there in the country, for or against; but it is absolutely nothing to write home about, let alone that the country is in turmoil. What is said: in Thailand it is very restless in some places, is therefore not an issue. Thailand is quiet, you can move freely everywhere, nothing to worry about, especially in the popular destinations, especially in the countryside, and certainly not between those destinations and the countryside.
Thailandblog gives more than enough information about what is going on in BKK, and if you avoid the demonstrations as a tourist and do what you came for, namely celebrating your holiday, you will not notice it.
Dear Debby, no problem at all. If you want to travel by train, take the red line of the Airport Rail Link from the airport. You get off at Makkasan Station and go via the Skywalk (walkway) to the Metro (Petchaburi MRT station). From there you go to Hua Lamphong station. You get off under the train station. Not a penny of pain. You will not notice the situation in Bangkok.
Hallo,
We also fly to Bangkok on January 29 and when we arrive there we fly directly to Koh Samui.
Haven't booked a flight to Koh Samui yet. There are flights about every hour or so. How much time should I reserve to take the next flight. Haven't booked anything yet. Can you also do that on site? Scheduled arrival time is 06.45. Anyone experience whether those flights usually arrive on time?
Thanks in advance for your answers!
We are going on holiday to Thailand for the 5th time in March. Our flights were always on time.
We have experience with different transport through Thailand to the North and South.
In our opinion, traveling directly from the airport with a domestic flight is the most comfortable and least risky. Trains are not always comfortable or safe and taxi buses sometimes leave much to be desired.
You can also book domestic flights directly via the internet and ask at Schiphol if they want to label the luggage directly to the final destination. Then you need a maximum of one and a half hours in Bangkok for the transfer. Prices for domestic flights are not expensive and you also spend less time traveling to the north or south.
Thanks for the quick responses Khun Peter and Danny! I can certainly do something with that! 🙂 We haven't secured anything yet, so we can go in any direction in Thailand. Regards Debby
There are about 20 flights per day from Bangkok to Koh Samui.
If you do not book in advance, you will be placed on a waiting list. In addition to the small
Bangkok Airways also flies ATR 72 (72 seats) nowadays
Airbus (something like 200 seats). So you will get out of Bangkok.
Bangkok Airways is a lot more expensive. Own the airport
on Samui and can ask whatever they want (about 5000 baht pp for
a one way trip)
You can consider flying to SuratThani with Air Asia or Nok Air and
then by bus and boat to Samui. That is a lot cheaper, but will cost you
much more time and you probably have to get from the airport where you arrive
Suvanaphumi (or something like that) to Don Muang for a domestic flight.
If you are tired after a long flight from Europe, it is not recommended.
It is therefore best to book ahead and have your luggage labeled to Samui
(if the bitches at KLM understand that, because that went into the
often wrong in the past, at Schiphol. You can't sir. Yes ma'am…you can)
If your final destination at Schiphol is BKK and you are going to book separately with another airline to anywhere, I seriously wonder whether they can continue labeling, so be careful!
Labeling is only possible if you have booked the complete route with 1 airline, for example with KLM or EVA Air A'dam-Bangkok-Koh Samui. The Bangkok-Koh Samui section with Bangkok Airways is then a so-called 'Code-share' flight in aviation terms. China Airlines does not have a code-share agreement with Bangkok Airways.
With 2 separate bookings A'dam-Bangkok (booked with KLM or EVA) and Bangkok-Koh Samui (booked separately with Bangkok Airways) it should not be possible to label. After all, the flight Bangkok-Koh Samui is not listed in the reserved first flight booking A'dam-Bangkok. Don't blame those 'bitches from KLM' (not my words) for not being able to continue labelling.
This in short the wonderful world of aviation. Greetings from a frequent flyer and aviation connoisseur (not an expert).
@Dirk and others
My wife flies 3 to 4 times a year from Amsterdam via Bangkok to Samui (vv)
Usually with China (cal) and sometimes with EVA or KLM.
It is not true that you have to book that with the same airline to Samui, you can just do that on the site of bangkokair.com.
If you show a printout of your booking at Schiphol, you can continue labeling as usual.
Sometimes there is someone at the counter who does not know that. Then you ask for someone who does know.
Usually it's OK then. The last time it almost went wrong because the "bitch" made a mistake
flight number from Bangkok to Samui. The attentive lady of Bangkok Airways in Bangkok saw this in time, so that my wife arrived at Samui with her suitcase.
That's how I've always experienced it Dirk your explanation. No labeling to final destination for whatever reason you give. Norwegian Riga–Stockholm. Transfer and check in again for Air China Stolm – Beijing ( well labeled ) – Manila
Thank you Teun. So if I leave 2 1/2 hours in between then it shouldn't be a problem.
And that by labelling, that's what you ask the KLM counter?
Dear Geert,
We flew with Eva-air and flights from Dusseldorf and both times we were able to relabel the suitcases. In Bangkok you stay at the airport with a sticker on your clothing after customs and normally an hour and a half is enough to board your next flight. You can also see this if you enter certain flights from Amsterdam to Krabi, for example, at ticket.nl. All times will be included if possible.
Everyone sees what is happening. Kick as much junk as possible so that allies in the military can justify a coup. The game played by “democrat” and dictator Suthep is very transparent.
And corruption! Thai society is riddled with corruption that is not affiliated with any one party. If you want to tackle that, you have to win the elections, then you have a credible democratic basis for this.
Just let the people vote on February 2! The often heard argument of the rioters against this is that the elections would be bought. Even if people were given money to vote for a party, they would still vote for their favorite party in the voting booth. Money or no money.
In my opinion, this is simply about getting power in an undemocratic way by people who call themselves democrats. They realize that they will not succeed through democratic elections! So let's do it this way, just like last time with the occupation of the airport!
We will arrive at 6.45 in the morning. How long does it take you to go through customs, etc. Of course you should not miss your next flight.
And can you only continue labeling if you have already booked a connecting flight?
@Geert Hard to say. Depends on how many planes arrive at the same time. What helps: don't turn left at the first Immigration, but take the second one. It is often much quieter, because most tourists don't know that and we would like to keep it that way, so please don't tell anyone.
I certainly will and we won't tell anyone. If we leave about 3 hours between scheduled arrival and departure, should that be enough?
@ Geert Three hours seems more than enough to me. During that time you can pop back and forth to the Netherlands. I can't answer your question about labeling. Seems logical to me that you must have already booked, otherwise the flight number of your connecting flight is unknown.
Thanks for your comments Dick. Do you also know what happens with a ticket if our plane is unexpectedly delayed and you miss your connecting flight?
Have you lost your money?
@ Geert Well, one more time then, because I'm not an aviation expert with 2 flights a year non-stop Amsterdam-Bangkok. I don't know what the rules are for this, maybe a blogger can help you.
Geert, see my response a few comments above.
It depends on whether you have booked 1 complete flight Adam-BKK-Koh Samui. In that case, you will be booked free of charge on 1 of the following flights in the event of a delay.
Everything depends on your ticket conditions (the cheaper, the less flexible). Otherwise, check with the airline in advance.
Don't turn a mosquito into an elephant. Enjoy and relax, you are going on vacation after all.
Dirk and others thanks for your help. Help just booked 2 tickets to koh samui. Departure 10.15. So plenty of time I would say and indeed Dirk we are going to enjoy ourselves from now on. It will be our first time in Thailand and I am very curious.
Well done Gert. 10.15 am is normally sufficient time.
Don't let people sell tubers for lemons at Schiphol. Labeling is possible.
So you don't have to take your luggage off the belt in Bangkok and you can go "inside"
through customs. Report to the Bangkok Air counter to check in. They will you
show the shortcut, so you don't have to stand in line at the regular passport control. Have a good trip and have fun )and little rain_ 🙂
that is a really good proposal, I have been doing it myself for years, and it sometimes saves an hour!