Thai embassy issues advisory for tourists

All attractions in Bangkok and other tourist destinations throughout Thailand are open and operating normally. But curfew has been observed, particularly in tourism-related venues that normally close after 10pm, according to a statement issued by the Thai embassy in Doha. The statement provides key information for tourists visiting Thailand.Security has been stepped up in certain areas in the country, including at the provincial hall, train station, power station and bus station, to prevent “ill-intentioned” people from inciting violence.With a nationwide curfew (from 12.01am to 4am) currently being the only implication on people’s everyday lives, life is going on normally in Bangkok and throughout Thailand, according to the statement. All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways - Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai - are open and operating normally. Airlines continue to operate incoming and outgoing flights according to the normal schedule.Air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew are allowed to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.Other modes of transport, by road, rail and waterway, are also operating normally across Thailand, including at key tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai.However, operating hours have been adjusted to comply with the curfew. The BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway systems in Bangkok are now operating from 6am to 11pm, while inter-provincial passenger bus services will not be run during curfew.All tourism-related businesses and services, including hotels, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores as well as banks and petrol and gas stations, are open and running normally, but operating hours have been adjusted to comply with the curfew. Hospitals and medical personal are permitted to carry on with their normal operating hours.Telephone - both landline and mobile - and Internet services are available 24/7.At the popular southern Thai beach destinations, including Ko Samui and Phuket, all tourism-related businesses and services are operating normally, but curfew has been observed.In key administrative and political strongholds such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai, all tourism-related businesses and services are running as usual, but curfew has been widely observed. Particularly at these two destinations, tourists are advised to be vigilant and check travel routes before travelling to avoid being inconvenienced by anti-coup or soldiers’ movements.Tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual as the NCPO has called for civil servants in all ministries and government agencies to carry on with their normal duties.All international checkpoints – airports, border checkpoints and sea ports – are open and operating normally. However, there may be a strong military presence at certain border checkpoints.Tourists visiting Thailand can get further information from the following sources: Qatar embassy in Bangkok: +66 2 6601111, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) updates at www.tatnews.org, TAT call centre: 1672, Tourist Police: 1155, Traffic Police: 1197, BMTA (city bus and van service): 1348, BTS hotline: +66 (0) 2617 6000, MRT: +66 (0) 2624 5200, SRT (train service): 1690, Transport Co Ltd (inter-provincial bus service): 1490, AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport): 1722, Thai Airways: +66 (0) 2356 1111, Bangkok Airways: 1771, Nok Air: 1318 and Thai AirAsia: +66 (0) 2515 9999.Important information for visitors to BangkokThe following measures are important for those travelling to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:Q Individual travellers – both tourists and foreign residents - are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents handy at all times, in case they are required for inspection by security officers.Q Group travellers on tour coaches, accompanied by a tour guide or tour leader, are allowed to pass through the checkpoints without any worry.Q Taxi services at Suvarnabhumi Airport are available 24 hours at the platform of the passenger terminal on the first floor, Gates 4 and 7. There are 6,000-7,000 authorised taxis with Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.Q Any passenger who cannot find a means of transport out of Suvarnabhumi Airport during curfew may use the facilities available at the CIP Lounges 1-4, located on the third floor of the passenger terminal.Q The shuttle bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports is operating normally.Q For more information, contact the Survarnabhumi Airport call centre at 1722.