Travel advice Thailand adapted: Avoid the center of Bangkok
On 17 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adjusted the current affairs section. Tourists are advised to avoid central Bangkok as much as possible, to exercise vigilance, to stay away from gatherings and demonstrations, and to monitor local media coverage daily of where demonstrations are taking place.
The following travel advice for Thailand can be read on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Current affairs
In the run-up to the announced elections on February 2, 2014, the opposition movement has placed roadblocks in and around the center of Bangkok from Monday, January 13, 2014. Although not aimed at foreigners, they are expected to cause significant inconvenience to all travelers to central Bangkok. In many cases, these are human blockages that can move easily. Clashes between demonstrators and authorities have already resulted in shootings and fatalities.
Travelers are advised to avoid central Bangkok as much as possible, to exercise vigilance, to stay away from gatherings and demonstrations, and to monitor local media coverage daily of where demonstrations are taking place.
The authorities and the opposition movement have indicated that the international airports of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang will not be blocked.
Further information on current developments can also be found on the website of the Dutch embassy in Bangkok. Here you can register if you wish, so that you can be reached by the embassy in the event of an emergency.
The embassy will be open normally, but it is located in the area that will be seriously affected by the blockades.
In the tourist centers outside Bangkok, the situation is normal. If you travel via Bangkok to a destination in Thailand in the coming week, you are advised not to travel through the center of Bangkok, but to travel around it.”
It's getting a bit precarious? Departure a week to Bangkok, Silom road, so far it was reported to be manageable. But now?
What do the experts among you now recommend, or not?
Thanks in advance for the advice
Sabine
@ Sabine Depends on where exactly you need to be on Silom Road. In any case, you can reach Sala Daeng BTS station and Silom MRT station. We do not dare to predict how the situation will develop further. So far, the incidents have been limited to the evening and night hours with the exception of Friday when a grenade was fired at a march. But I can't assume you intended to march. The advice of the embassy remains: stay away from the protest locations. I find the advice to avoid the center unclear, because which area exactly does the center cover? I was at Asok around noon; there were very few people.
Great to have so much help on the blog! Thanks, Gr. sabine