Uncertainty about travel advice Bangkok

By Khan Peter

Contrary to what all Dutch media report, the travel advice from BuZa has not been tightened. Only the text on the website has been changed. There has been a travel warning on level 4 since April. That means non-essential journey to certain areas is discouraged.

In the notes on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states which areas in Bangkok are concerned:

Violent confrontations take place in various locations (Rama 4 Road, Sala Daeng, Lumpini park, Wireless Road and Prtunam). Travelers are advised to avoid the area (bounded by Petchaburi Road, Wireless Road, Rama 4 and Phya ภาษาไทย Road) and to limit movements in the center of Bangkok as much as possible.

On the website of the Calamity fund only reads that on May 6 the previous coverage restriction was lifted.

Although we are not authorized to give travel advice. Do we feel the need to create more clarity about the risks and especially the inconvenience that tourists can be confronted with? We only list the facts that are now known (May 16, 2010). You then have to make a decision yourself.

The official authorities give the following advice:

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against non-essential travel to Bangkok. That means there is an increased security risk in Bangkok. Ask yourself whether a trip to this area is justified and necessary.
• The Dutch Embassy in Bangkok says the situation in Bangkok is very tense and specific areas should be avoided. These confrontations are expected to continue in the coming days. Violent confrontations take place in various locations.

The media reports as follows:

• CNN and BBC World News are reporting live from Bangkok. Both channels report a dangerous and unstable situation.
• BBC World News reported today that the Redshirts are also erecting barricades outside the protest locations.
• The media describes parts of Bangkok as a war zone.

The facts about Bangkok:

• Various Embassies are closed including those of the UK, US and NL.
• Schools in Bangkok will remain closed for a week.
• The Thai stock market will remain closed tomorrow.
• Both the BTS overground metro and the MRTA underground metro will not run on Sunday, May 16, it is unclear when they will start running again.
• The Thai government is considering imposing a curfew on certain areas in Bangkok.
• Soldiers are allowed to shoot live ammunition (to defend themselves).
• Gunshots and explosions are still heard.
• The Redshirts do not intend to leave and send for reinforcements.
• Four journalists were injured by bullets.
• In the past three days, 24 people have been killed and 187 injured. All the dead are civilians.
• Thai Prime Minister Abhisit says there is no way back that the actions against the demonstrators will continue.

The rumors (unconfirmed and denied by the Thai government) about Bangkok:

• Soldiers at the protest locations shoot at anything that moves.
• Soldiers also shoot at residents in the area who have nothing to do with the Redshirts. A number of innocent civilians, including a woman, were reportedly shot.
• Snipers at the protest locations are firing at anyone who enters the streets.
• Medical workers have been fired upon by soldiers and several are said to have been killed or wounded.

Travel advice other countries:

• USA: Avoid all of Bangkok
• UK: Non-essentials to Bangkok are discouraged

Websites for information on safety risks in Thailand and travel advice:

• Dutch Embassy Bangkok
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Tourism Authority of Thailand

From the editors:

Unfortunately, we cannot respond to all individual questions about travel advice that we receive by email or in response to postings. For clarification:

• Thailandblog is not authorized to give travel advice, we cannot and do not want to take this responsibility. The texts on the blog that deal with travel advice have been taken from the official authorities with a reference to the source.
• Thailandblog uses international, mostly English-language news sources, which you can also consult yourself (The Nation, Bangkok Post, CNN, BBC World News, AFP, AP, etc.).
• There are several factors that determine whether or not a stay in Bangkok is safe (organised trip or not, length of stay, location of stay, purpose of stay, etc.) so it is not possible to give expert travel advice.
• If you have any questions, always contact your travel organization (travel agency or tour operator).
• Follow the media and draw your own conclusions.
• Of course we will try to inform you as well as possible via this blog.

Disclaimer:
Thailandblog.nl gives its visitors information and advice based on the most up-to-date information available. Despite the care taken, Thailandblog.nl cannot give any guarantees about the correctness and completeness of the information and advice provided. Any actions that visitors take on the basis of this information and advice are therefore at their own risk and responsibility. Thailandblog.nl does not accept any liability.
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