Dec 7, 2013, 1:13 pm
Last edit by: aBroadAbroad
This thread is for posting questions and specific news/updates of direct relevance to those traveling in or to the area.
Discussion of underlying and peripheral issues, comparisons to similar past events, and speculation about future conditions
belong in OMNI/PR or the Thai News & Open Discussion Thread. Off-topic posts will be moved or deleted.
Thanks for your assistance.
Discussion of underlying and peripheral issues, comparisons to similar past events, and speculation about future conditions
belong in OMNI/PR or the Thai News & Open Discussion Thread. Off-topic posts will be moved or deleted.
Thanks for your assistance.
Update
13 June 2014:
Curfew has been lifted nationwide.
Travel advisories issued by a number of foreign governments remain in place. Check your country's embassy or consular website for travel advice and updates.
Courts martial have been established for violators of criminal code sections dealing with lèse-majesté, and those covering the broad subject of "national security" (including civilian violators). The NCPO has warned that it will crackdown on anti-coup protests if they do not cease. Visitors are strongly advised to stay away from all political gatherings.
Media gag has been eased, but strict censorship orders are in place, with local press and broadcast outlets reporting only approved content. ISPs have been ordered to monitor social media, and to block disruptive or "negative" content. Accurate and comprehensive information remains difficult to obtain, both in and out of the country. Censorship violations are among those subject to courts martial.
Hotlines for Tourists in Thailand
- TAT Call Centre 1672
- Tourist Police Call Centre 1155
- Traffic Police Call Centre 1197
- BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348
- BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000
- MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200
- SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690
- Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490
- AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722
- Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111
- Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771
- Nok Air Call Centre 1318
- Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999
Links to External Information Sources
- Rolling breaking news updates: Bangkok Post Lite Version (might load better than the full site for some users)
- Updates from TAT News: Tourism Authority of Thailand
- Breaking News: Thai PBS
- Latest News from NNT: National News Bureau of Thailand (government public relations)
- Travel blogger Richard Barrow: Thai news twitter feed (ongoing updates)
- Richard Barrow's map: Protest Sites in Bangkok in May 2014 (updated regularly)
- Independent web-based Thai news publication: Prachatai - Coup 2014 (English)
Special thanks to FTer c_9 for initiating this Wikipost
Safety of Travel in Thailand 2014 — Martial Law, Peaceful Military Coup
Jan 15, 2014, 6:52 am
#91
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
the only problem is getting under the expressway at Soi Zero , but there is a back way on the even soi side from Asok ,
and also there are a few ways on the odd soi side including Soi 11 to get you to Asok but I am not sure if the large Asok protestor tent is in the way.
The other bottle neck would be the Klong - canal to get to Petchaburi road, there are only a couple streets that go across it.
I am sure the taxi drivers know the ways now !
Jan 15, 2014, 8:36 am
#92
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
A friend is on the same Ratchadamri St, about 1 1/2 blocks up. She said traffic is sometimes blocked for cars and only BTS available. You might want to consider a move to a Sukhumvit location or maybe Wireless Rd....
Last edited by dtsm; Jan 15, 2014 at 8:49 am
Jan 15, 2014, 9:01 am
#93
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Bangkok Marriott and transportation
Hi,
I'm supposed to stay for two nights next week at the BKK Marriott.
Am I correct that it's not directly near an demonstration sites? Is the MRT the best way to get there? I only have carry on. Alternatively should I arrange for a car from the hotel to pick me up?
My other plan is to stay in laos one day longer and just transit thru BKK. I haven't been there since 1980 and would like to do some shopping but not if it's going to be a hassle
Cheers
I'm supposed to stay for two nights next week at the BKK Marriott.
Am I correct that it's not directly near an demonstration sites? Is the MRT the best way to get there? I only have carry on. Alternatively should I arrange for a car from the hotel to pick me up?
My other plan is to stay in laos one day longer and just transit thru BKK. I haven't been there since 1980 and would like to do some shopping but not if it's going to be a hassle
Cheers
Jan 15, 2014, 6:49 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
Marriot on Soi 2 ? What time ?
if at midnight , just take a taxi and pay the expressway toll , it will exit right across the street from Soi 2
daytime you could take taxi to BTS Skytrain at Bang Na or near there , take the BTS to Nana exit
The MRT is the underground , no direct link from the Airport except the Airport link (ends at Midnight) , which you need to exit at Petchaburi , walk a bit and then take the MRT one exit and get off at Sukhumvit , then you can walk to soi 2 or get on the BTS for one stop.......
The Protestors are at Asok and Sukhumvit which is where the MRT and BTS meet ,
Hope that helps, I would just take a taxi as long as expressway is open
if at midnight , just take a taxi and pay the expressway toll , it will exit right across the street from Soi 2
daytime you could take taxi to BTS Skytrain at Bang Na or near there , take the BTS to Nana exit
The MRT is the underground , no direct link from the Airport except the Airport link (ends at Midnight) , which you need to exit at Petchaburi , walk a bit and then take the MRT one exit and get off at Sukhumvit , then you can walk to soi 2 or get on the BTS for one stop.......
The Protestors are at Asok and Sukhumvit which is where the MRT and BTS meet ,
Hope that helps, I would just take a taxi as long as expressway is open
Jan 16, 2014, 7:51 am
#96
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Marriot on Soi 2 ? What time ?
if at midnight , just take a taxi and pay the expressway toll , it will exit right across the street from Soi 2
daytime you could take taxi to BTS Skytrain at Bang Na or near there , take the BTS to Nana exit
The MRT is the underground , no direct link from the Airport except the Airport link (ends at Midnight) , which you need to exit at Petchaburi , walk a bit and then take the MRT one exit and get off at Sukhumvit , then you can walk to soi 2 or get on the BTS for one stop.......
The Protestors are at Asok and Sukhumvit which is where the MRT and BTS meet ,
Hope that helps, I would just take a taxi as long as expressway is open
if at midnight , just take a taxi and pay the expressway toll , it will exit right across the street from Soi 2
daytime you could take taxi to BTS Skytrain at Bang Na or near there , take the BTS to Nana exit
The MRT is the underground , no direct link from the Airport except the Airport link (ends at Midnight) , which you need to exit at Petchaburi , walk a bit and then take the MRT one exit and get off at Sukhumvit , then you can walk to soi 2 or get on the BTS for one stop.......
The Protestors are at Asok and Sukhumvit which is where the MRT and BTS meet ,
Hope that helps, I would just take a taxi as long as expressway is open
It would be a 2:30pm arrival at BKK. Does that make it worse for traffic? Sorry, I confused the BTS and MRT. If there is no traffic I guess taxi would be quick.
Jan 16, 2014, 9:27 am
#97
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 263
Heard from a good Thai friend that hotels along Sukhumvit/Ploenchit from Asok --> Siam Square are pretty much unaccessible. He said that the area around the Grand Hyatt was immovable, but other hotels were also affected. He is mainly speaking about ground transport, which is what I will be needing, but I can take the BTS/MRT if necessary.
From the read here, sounds a bit different and maybe things are not that bad (and also talked to staff from the JW who indicated that it was not that bad).
Those that are there now, thoughts? Debating on hotel location for next week.
From the read here, sounds a bit different and maybe things are not that bad (and also talked to staff from the JW who indicated that it was not that bad).
Those that are there now, thoughts? Debating on hotel location for next week.
Jan 16, 2014, 12:49 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Sorry, but that's simply not true.... I've just left the hotel this morning. By car, but taxi's were also available. Late afternoon traffic starts to get a bit more obstructed but the back entrance and for instance the Four Seasons have been reachable just fine.
Jan 16, 2014, 2:51 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CHS
Programs: UA ex-1k, now Gold bumped up from Silver
Posts: 155
We are staying at Eastin Grand Sathorn ... today there was a rally below the hotel that began about noon. A lot of speeches and flags and traffic congestion. We left during the rally to go to Wat Pho...took BTS to the river then ferry...everyone was friendly and no problems. When we returned the rally was over and the protesters gone.
Jan 16, 2014, 4:57 pm
#101
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
Coming in late Wed (22 Jan). Have room booked at Marriott Courtyard. Plane scheduled to arrive at 11 pm, so into taxi by say 11:45. Will this be a problem? I've also got a room at the airport Novatel, but I'd rather stay in Bangkok.
Jan 16, 2014, 5:13 pm
#102
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Yangon
Programs: LH, PG, BA, SPG, HH
Posts: 319
Unless your hotel is right in the middle of one of the areas they have blocked off then there will be no problem getting to it (the taxi's have now worked out routes around all the main blockages). So even if your hotel is like the Hyatt and only a few meters from one of the blocked off areas then you can still get to it by road.
Jan 16, 2014, 6:27 pm
#103
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
I would get a taxi downstairs from the official taxi stand , but I have a lot of luggage , its less than $15
But you can take the airport link BTS. get off at Makkasan which is at Asok and Petchaburi and take a taxi from there , Asok will probably be closed off so they will need to go down to soi 3 to get to Sukhumvit , its 10-15 minute taxi ride....
My friend who lives on Soi 2 says there are a lot of Taxis around and they are taking the back streets,
hope that helps
Jan 16, 2014, 7:15 pm
#104
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 263
Excellent! Thanks for the feedback. Info much appreciated.