Thailand travel advice adapted: exercise vigilance in Bangkok
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the travel advice for today Thailand adjusted in line with the latest developments. In the travel advice, the sections 'Current affairs' and 'Unsafe areas' have been changed.
The current travel advice is:
“Current affairs
On January 21, 2014, the Thai authorities declared a state of emergency for a period of 60 days for Bangkok and nearby provinces. The state of emergency took effect on 22 January 2014 and gives the authorities more extensive powers to intervene if the security situation warrants it. For example, the government can prohibit gatherings, a curfew can be imposed, suspects can be arrested and they can limit the provision of information.
In the run-up to the announced elections on February 2, 2014, the opposition movement has placed roadblocks in and around central Bangkok. Although not aimed at foreigners, it can be dangerous to get close. Violent incidents have occurred around the blockades and demonstrations, including bombings and shootings resulting in injuries and deaths.
You are therefore advised to avoid the center of Bangkok as much as possible and to stay away from blockades and demonstrations, exercise vigilance and monitor local media coverage of where demonstrations are taking place on a daily basis.
The authorities and the opposition movement have indicated that Suvarnabhumi International Airport 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 and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/NLBangkok). You are advised to register so that you can be reached by the embassy in case of an emergency.
The embassy is open, but is located in the area that is 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 if possible.
Unsafe areas
Due to the current demonstrations and blockades, travelers are advised to avoid central Bangkok as much as possible, to stay away from blockades and demonstrations, to exercise vigilance, and to follow local media coverage daily about the places where demonstrations are taking place ( see section 'Current affairs').”
Source: www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/reisadvies/thailand
"The embassy is open, but is located in the area that is seriously affected by the blockades," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes about the embassy in Bangkok. That is correct, but from Chid Lom BRT station the embassy can be reached unimpeded by demonstrations, which I was able to observe on Monday. A walk of about 10 minutes.
Indeed, on Tuesday no problem with the Skytrain, or BTS. I came via Ploenchit station. Buses didn't all go from Moh Chit (northern bus terminal), but I took bus 24 to Ari BTS station and continued on to Ploen Chit from there. Went perfectly. Not even that busy (around 6:00 in the morning)
The big malls like Siam Paragon, Central World close at 18pm. Went to the cinema today (SF Cinema)Central World, it's like walking in a ghost town, everything dark, no people around you, quiet, outside people on the street selling anything…police officers, speeches in different places… Traffic disrupted. Nobody knows what will happen next.
my question is, is there something going on in and around pattaya????
No, nothing's wrong.
For Belgians: travel advice FPS Foreign Affairs:
http://diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/Diensten/Op_reis_in_het_buitenland/reisadviezen/azie/thailand/ra_thailand.jsp
Yesterday my wife drove her own car from the direction of Korat, there and back to Chinatown and had no significant difficulties. Only have to make a detour at the Belgian Bridge. Much more people than usual in Chinatown, perhaps because of the upcoming Chinese New Year.
And finally there he was.
When I opened my Yahoo mail today I finally saw the mail from the Dutch embassy .
I was completely surprised , maybe thanks to our Holland Belgium webblog I thought .
You must have had more complaints from registered Dutch nationals at the embassy about simply keeping people informed by e-mail about what is currently happening in Thailand.
With information and warnings about where to go and where not to go .
In some other European countries it had already been arranged for their nationals in Thailand in turbulent times.
But no hate feelings , better late than never , they have not forgotten me at the Dutch embassy .
Ok, I also follow the news daily through all kinds of media, I'm not a dumbass when it comes to that.
But if you develop a system, gentlemen, at the Foreign Office, then do something with it.
And not just talk about follow us on Twitter and Facebook etc.
Jan Beute.
Which email???
got a text that they sent one but I don't know who to at least not to me.
Shame!!!!!!!!!
No Email ? Maybe you entered the wrong address? An E-Mail is actually not necessary if you regularly check their site. It says that no matter what they say in their E-Mail.
And as a TL-Blog reader you can read here in detail every day what is going on