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 lθse-majestι, 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
May 22, 2014, 6:16 pm
#526
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: near BHD
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 24
Please excuse my hastiness / panicking.
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
May 22, 2014, 6:18 pm
#527
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Please excuse my hastiness / panicking.
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
Zero plans to cancel because of this. Zero worries about safety.
May 22, 2014, 6:19 pm
#528
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
As of Friday morning these are the impacts I see:
All TV stations are shut down. Only broadcasting Military music. That includes CNN, BBC, etc. I did find one Australian station still available.
The curfew was 10:00 to 5:00 last night. Today it will be Midnight to 4:00. MRT, BTS, etc. all shut down an hour or so before the curfew starts so their people can get home.
The coup wasn't announced until 5'ish so people rushed to go home before the curfew. Traffic nightmare. I was already at home so it didn't hit me.
I saw a handful of soldiers around Lumpini and Shinawatra 3 but none anywhere else. I'm sure there are some out in the street, but it's not like tanks are rolling through the city.
BKK is probably safer today than yesterday. But that could change depending on how the various factions respond to the coup.
Bars are closing early or not opening at all and there are some complaints about that.
Public transport including taxis all running normally so far (except during the curfew).
All TV stations are shut down. Only broadcasting Military music. That includes CNN, BBC, etc. I did find one Australian station still available.
The curfew was 10:00 to 5:00 last night. Today it will be Midnight to 4:00. MRT, BTS, etc. all shut down an hour or so before the curfew starts so their people can get home.
The coup wasn't announced until 5'ish so people rushed to go home before the curfew. Traffic nightmare. I was already at home so it didn't hit me.
I saw a handful of soldiers around Lumpini and Shinawatra 3 but none anywhere else. I'm sure there are some out in the street, but it's not like tanks are rolling through the city.
BKK is probably safer today than yesterday. But that could change depending on how the various factions respond to the coup.
Bars are closing early or not opening at all and there are some complaints about that.
Public transport including taxis all running normally so far (except during the curfew).
May 22, 2014, 6:21 pm
#529
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Curfew is supposed to change from 10:00 - 5:00 last night to 12:00 to 4:00 tonight so that should cover you.
I think one emphasis has to be on the word aBroad used in the title: "Peaceful". So far that is completely accurate. And likely to stay that way. Until it changes.
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; May 22, 2014 at 6:38 pm
May 22, 2014, 6:28 pm
#530
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
I usually do 2 trips a year and am still looking at mid-June-early July with some days needed in Bangkok. Might cut back the BKK days to a bare minimum in favor of anywhere else.
I think the fear that forced the military's hand was having camps of both reds and yellows in BKK, as it's hard to imagine that staying peaceful. Having such a deliberately obstructed government also doesn't help.
Pattaya, Phuket and Samui are yellow territory while Chiang Mai is red, but you just don't see much evidence of political activity at all in places like that.
It wasn't really that long ago that military coups were business as usual. There was one some 6 months after my first trip.
I think the fear that forced the military's hand was having camps of both reds and yellows in BKK, as it's hard to imagine that staying peaceful. Having such a deliberately obstructed government also doesn't help.
Pattaya, Phuket and Samui are yellow territory while Chiang Mai is red, but you just don't see much evidence of political activity at all in places like that.
It wasn't really that long ago that military coups were business as usual. There was one some 6 months after my first trip.
May 22, 2014, 6:41 pm
#531
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: Frontier Gold, DL estranged 1MMer, Spirit VIP, CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat/comped gold now dust.
Posts: 38,151
Please excuse my hastiness / panicking.
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
The State Department has been dutifully telling people to stay away from any demonstrations
OTOH, if things really head south the language will read that they urge people to defer all nonessential travel (or even advise against any travel at all) there, and they haven't reached that point yet.
Just like the airport blockade and the central shopping area blockade, though, this'll cost the country a lot on tourism, at least in the short term.
May 22, 2014, 6:51 pm
#532
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
Demonstrations, primarily in the greater Bangkok area and occasionally elsewhere in Thailand, are continuing, and there have been regular incidents of violence. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large gatherings. Protests may occur in Bangkok or in nearby areas with little or no prior notice. This Travel Alert supersedes the Travel Alert issued on February 14, 2014, and will expire on August 19, 2014.
We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable government, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks. We want you to know the risks of traveling to these places and to strongly consider not going to them at all. Travel Warnings remain in place until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years.
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; May 22, 2014 at 7:05 pm
May 22, 2014, 8:19 pm
#533
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Prayuth has just named himself PM. Probably the only thing he could do as just about anyone else would have been viewed as partisan by one group or another. This will probably help keep things quiet. At least for a few days.
May 22, 2014, 10:27 pm
#535
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
Some transport related info for anyone in BKK (For now, assume a curfew for the same time tonight. Times may be adjusted or lifted - unlikely)
1) BTS & MRT will close at 9pm tonight.
9pm for the ARL as well!
2) BMTA buses are operating until 11pm as of now - last night many people were still travelling home on buses after 10pm.
3) Assume that shopping centers will close tonight at 8pm.
4) Read the previous posts regarding travel to & from the airports.
Have an enjoyable day!
1) BTS & MRT will close at 9pm tonight.
9pm for the ARL as well!
2) BMTA buses are operating until 11pm as of now - last night many people were still travelling home on buses after 10pm.
3) Assume that shopping centers will close tonight at 8pm.
4) Read the previous posts regarding travel to & from the airports.
Have an enjoyable day!
Last edited by Yappofloyd; May 22, 2014 at 10:51 pm
May 22, 2014, 11:52 pm
#536
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
National News Bureau of Thailand: Public transport services normal (emphasis added)
BANGKOK, 23 May 2014, 11:27 ICT (NNT) – Public Transportation under the Ministry of Transport continues to provide services follow the curfew declaration by the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC). The curfew prohibits people from being outside their residences between 10 P.M.- 5 A.M., as of yesterday (22nd May), until further notice.
Nevertheless transportation systems, including road transport, air transport, and train transport, are providing normal services.
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide buses until 11 P.M.. Railways are operating normally.
People who bought tickets for any train service from 22nd May 2014 onwards, are welcome to request a full refund without any deductions until further notice.
Passengers who want to travel during the curfew are recommended to start earlier by at least 2 hours, to allow for any emergency.
MRT Skytrain service will begin daily at 6 A.M. and end at 9 P.M. The Airport Rail Link will also close at 9 P.M.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has also announced that flights continue normally. Departing passengers who need to travel to the airport during the curfew using private vehicles have to present their tickets and passport to the authorities on request.
Anyone picking up passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, can ask for a permit to do so, in the 4th floor departure hall at gate 3 and 5 or the 2nd floor information counter at departure hall gate 3.
For more information, please visit www.thaiairways.com, www.thaismileair.com, or contact THAI Contact Center 0 2356 1111, AOT Contact Center 1722, Don Mueang Airport 0 2535 3861.
Nevertheless transportation systems, including road transport, air transport, and train transport, are providing normal services.
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will provide buses until 11 P.M.. Railways are operating normally.
People who bought tickets for any train service from 22nd May 2014 onwards, are welcome to request a full refund without any deductions until further notice.
Passengers who want to travel during the curfew are recommended to start earlier by at least 2 hours, to allow for any emergency.
MRT Skytrain service will begin daily at 6 A.M. and end at 9 P.M. The Airport Rail Link will also close at 9 P.M.
Airports of Thailand (AOT) has also announced that flights continue normally. Departing passengers who need to travel to the airport during the curfew using private vehicles have to present their tickets and passport to the authorities on request.
Anyone picking up passengers at Suvarnabhumi Airport, can ask for a permit to do so, in the 4th floor departure hall at gate 3 and 5 or the 2nd floor information counter at departure hall gate 3.
For more information, please visit www.thaiairways.com, www.thaismileair.com, or contact THAI Contact Center 0 2356 1111, AOT Contact Center 1722, Don Mueang Airport 0 2535 3861.
May 23, 2014, 12:28 am
#537
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BKK
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1P, SPG Plat75, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 7
Please excuse my hastiness / panicking.
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
I'm booked to go to the Mai Samui resort on Koh Samui on the 15th July.
Girlfriend wants to cancel and rebook for Bahamas.
I guess the sensible thing to do would be just that.
Always wanted to go to Thailand guess it'll have to wait another year
We have plans for six separate visitors to stay with us in Bangkok over the next month, along with trips to Chiang Mai and Phuket. The situation here is stable for now, and we do not plan to make any changes to our visitors' travel unless things drastically spiral out of control. While nobody knows what the future will bring, I do not feel unsafe or in danger. Thailand is a beautiful country with such hospitable people - it would be a shame to miss out.
That said, you have to do what you think is right for you and your girlfriend. If the stress of traveling to a country under martial law would prevent you from relaxing and truly enjoying your vacation, then perhaps the Bahamas would be a more suitable location. Good luck in your decision making!
May 23, 2014, 12:42 am
#538
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
May 23, 2014, 5:10 am
#539
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,548
I just left Bangkok this morning having spent 2 nights there. The afternoon the coup was announced, I was in a shopping mall, where nothing seemed out of ordinary. Only until about 7PM I noticed something was up because the cafe I wanted to go to told me of their limited service.
The worst part for me was the jammed BTS going back to hotel, but I never, at any point, felt unsafe.
The worst part for me was the jammed BTS going back to hotel, but I never, at any point, felt unsafe.
May 23, 2014, 5:42 am
#540
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
That said, you have to do what you think is right for you and your girlfriend. If the stress of traveling to a country under martial law would prevent you from relaxing and truly enjoying your vacation, then perhaps the Bahamas would be a more suitable location. Good luck in your decision making!
If she's not confortable going she won't relax / enjoy even if everything is very calm.