Official update from the Tourism Authority of Thailand on Martial Law rules

The London office for the Tourism Authority of Thailand updated travelers about the situation in Thailand after military authorities in the Kingdom imposed martial law effective since 0300 (ICT) today, The Royal Thai Army has declared martial law that covers the whole of Thailand.

According to the army’s statement, this is not a coup. The martial law has been put in place to restore and maintain peace and order for all Thai people. In the announcement, the army told the public there is no need to panic and to continue with daily life as normal.

As of today, the situation remains unchanged in the city except for the presence of soldiers on the streets, simply to maintain peace and ensure order is kept at the protest sites. The situation at the rally sites of both anti- and pro-government groups in Bangkok remains calm.

The implementation of martial law has had no effect on transport and tourism attractions across the country. All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as normal.

There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or at any other tourist destination in Thailand. Local residents and international visitors can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.

No travel restrictions have been put in place by the FCO, their advice is to allow more time to travel to Bangkok airports in case of traffic disruptions.

The anti-government groups’ rally sites continue to be situated at:

– Government House at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue

– Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok Road

– Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road

– Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue (a camping site)

– The pro-government group’s rally site is on Aksa Road in Bangkok’s western outskirts

Tourists visiting the kingdom are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather.

General Travel & Tourism Advice

Despite traffic disruptions on certain roads in Bangkok due to the current political demonstrations, life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual. However, tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid rally sites and demonstration marches, as well as areas where crowds may gather. This is because there may be traffic disruptions or delays and thus causing inconvenience.

Air passengers with flights departing out of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are advised to allocate at least 3-4 hours prior to their scheduled flight departure time.

Bangkok is a large city and so it is possible for local residents and international visitors to avoid the demonstration sites and rally routes. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is moving normally as almost all roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations.

All major tourist attractions in the Thai capital, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open normally. Tourists can visit all attractions using the usual means of transport, including buses, vans and car transfers by tour companies, taxis, the Skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service.

Businesses, including banks, petrol and gas stations, hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centers, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, pharmacies, hospitals and the like are open and operating as per normal. Telephone both landline and mobile and Internet services are available 24/7 as per normal.

All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.

Tourists with flights arriving in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang International Airports) and wish to see Thailand’s wealth of cultural and natural attractions outside of the Thai capital are recommended to make use of the many daily domestic flights, as well as bus and car transfers, to get to other popular destinations, such as, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Khon Kaen and Sukhothai.