Updated 21 January 2014, 15.03
Thailand’s capital city Bangkok has been placed under a state of emergency to curb on-going protests.
The 60-day state of emergency and surrounding provinces starts tomorrow (22 Jan) and will give security agencies the power to introduce curfews; hold suspects without charge; censor media; ban political gatherings of more than five people and close off parts of the city.
Tour operators in the UK have seen bookings increase to Thailand despite the protests, with the Tourism of Authority Thailand (TAT) in the UK in regular contact with companies.
Many tourism attractions continue to run as usual in the country, although some road routes may be closed.
From 20 January 2014, 17:58
Thailand reassures as blasts injure 28
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has said it will continue to offer help with ‘Tourist’s Friend Centres’ across Bangkok after two explosions caused several injuries on Sunday (19 Jan).
TAT said authorities, the police, hotel and travel agent associations and private companies continue to work together on offering help to tourists in the cities, with help desks set up at both its airports as well as BTS Skytrain stations Siam, Phaya Thai, Ekkamai and Sala Daeng.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated its travel advice yesterday telling tourists to avoid all protests and to take extra care in Bangkok.
Two explosions near the city’s Victory Monument on Sunday wounded at least 28 people, with demonstrations continuing in an attempt to stop an election taking place on 2 February.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called the election in a bid to ease the protests, which have been running on and off since late November.
Comments are closed.