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 lčse-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
#496
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
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As an announcement by the military that there will be a general curfew tonight from 10pm to 5am tomorrow.
If you have a flight tonight......leave early. (That being said the last curfew back on 19 May 2010 was not exactly completely strict. Better not to break it though).
If you have a flight tonight......leave early. (That being said the last curfew back on 19 May 2010 was not exactly completely strict. Better not to break it though).
#497
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
Yes expect everything to be shut aside from 7/11s etc
#499
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
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Thai army chief announces military coup
BANGKOK, May 22, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief announced in a televised address to the nation on Thursday that the armed forces were seizing power after months of deadly political turmoil.
"In order for the country to return to normal quickly, the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4.30 pm," army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.
The commander-in-chief, who invoked martial law on Tuesday, said the coup was needed to prevent the conflict escalating.
"All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal," he added.
The move came after military-hosted talks between the kingdom's political rivals apparently failed to reach a compromise on ending nearly seven months of mass protests on the streets of Bangkok...
BANGKOK, May 22, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's army chief announced in a televised address to the nation on Thursday that the armed forces were seizing power after months of deadly political turmoil.
"In order for the country to return to normal quickly, the National Peace Keeping Committee comprised of the army, the Thai armed forces, the Royal Air Force and the police need to seize power as of May 22 at 4.30 pm," army chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha said.
The commander-in-chief, who invoked martial law on Tuesday, said the coup was needed to prevent the conflict escalating.
"All Thais must remain calm and government officials must work as normal," he added.
The move came after military-hosted talks between the kingdom's political rivals apparently failed to reach a compromise on ending nearly seven months of mass protests on the streets of Bangkok...
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; May 22, 2014 at 8:37 am Reason: Fix quote, attribution. See FT rule #9, posting of copyrighted material (http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#copyrighted)
#501
#502
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
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Posts: 1,880
The last curfew was on 19 May 2010 from 8pm and busy streets were deserted However, I noted many people driving until after 11pm. The army will be worried about blow back from pro govt supporters so don't get caught being out too late.
Yes expect everything to be shut aside from 7/11s etc
Yes expect everything to be shut aside from 7/11s etc
Good thing I like airports, because I'm going to have to arrive waaaaaaaayyyy early for my flight next week if this curfew lasts......
#504
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Normally, I'd say no problem as you could be at the airport by 6am at the latest, but it will be interesting to see what kinds of checkpoints you encounter along the way and what sorts of backups they cause.
#505
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LHR
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#506
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,278
As an announcement by the military that there will be a general curfew tonight from 10pm to 5am tomorrow.
If you have a flight tonight......leave early. (That being said the last curfew back on 19 May 2010 was not exactly completely strict. Better not to break it though).
If you have a flight tonight......leave early. (That being said the last curfew back on 19 May 2010 was not exactly completely strict. Better not to break it though).
#507
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
Hopefully, all the military at checkpoints get the memo......
#508
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*Edit*
News is faster than the state department:
[email protected]
8:16 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
Emergency Message
Thursday, May 22, 2014
This message is to inform U.S. citizens that the Royal Thai Army has announced it has seized control of the administration of the country effective 4:30 PM on May 22, 2014. Authorities have announced a countrywide curfew from 10PM to 5AM. U.S. citizens are advised to stay alert, exercise caution, and monitor media coverage. You are advised to avoid areas where there are protest events, large gatherings, or security operations and follow the instructions of Thai authorities.
U.S. citizens are cautioned that even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid protest sites, demonstrations, and large gatherings. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media reports. You should allow extra time when travelling throughout the city or to/from airports. Consider using public transportation.
U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Thailand are strongly advised to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) https://step.state.gov/step/. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.
Unless otherwise indicated in a public announcement, the U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens Services by appointment. U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy (http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html) is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, and can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049, or by e-mailing [email protected]. The Embassy's after-hours emergency telephone number is 66- 2-205-4000.
The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai (http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service.html), located at 387 Wichayanond Road in Chiang Mai, is also open unless otherwise indicated. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can be reached by calling 66-53-107- 777 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-81-881-1878. You can also follow the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok's American Citizen Services Unit on Twitter for further updates.
8:16 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
U.S. Embassy Bangkok
Emergency Message
Thursday, May 22, 2014
This message is to inform U.S. citizens that the Royal Thai Army has announced it has seized control of the administration of the country effective 4:30 PM on May 22, 2014. Authorities have announced a countrywide curfew from 10PM to 5AM. U.S. citizens are advised to stay alert, exercise caution, and monitor media coverage. You are advised to avoid areas where there are protest events, large gatherings, or security operations and follow the instructions of Thai authorities.
U.S. citizens are cautioned that even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid protest sites, demonstrations, and large gatherings. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media reports. You should allow extra time when travelling throughout the city or to/from airports. Consider using public transportation.
U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Thailand are strongly advised to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) https://step.state.gov/step/. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.
Unless otherwise indicated in a public announcement, the U.S. Embassy is open for all routine American Citizens Services by appointment. U.S. citizens needing emergency assistance do not need an appointment. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy (http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html) is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, and can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049, or by e-mailing [email protected]. The Embassy's after-hours emergency telephone number is 66- 2-205-4000.
The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai (http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service.html), located at 387 Wichayanond Road in Chiang Mai, is also open unless otherwise indicated. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate General can be reached by calling 66-53-107- 777 and by e-mail at [email protected]. The after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-81-881-1878. You can also follow the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok's American Citizen Services Unit on Twitter for further updates.
Last edited by CDKing; May 22, 2014 at 8:21 am
#509
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I was just now watching CNN in the hotel, and the screen went to some Thai writing and chanting songs. So I turned to BBC, and a few minutes later the same thing happened to that channel.... Knocking out all the channels? Wow....
Good thing I like airports, because I'm going to have to arrive waaaaaaaayyyy early for my flight next week if this curfew lasts......
Good thing I like airports, because I'm going to have to arrive waaaaaaaayyyy early for my flight next week if this curfew lasts......
Actually so are many non-English news stations. Many are running their Emglish news programs now.