ExplorerGirls

Wondering what's going on in Thailand with all the unrest in Bangkok and anti-government protestors taking to the streets?  Well, here is some news we received from the www.travelmole.com.  Please consider your travels to Thailand at this time and make sure to keep up on the latest news.  It may not be safe to find yourself in the middle of an angry protest!

Eye witness Account (April 14, 2009)

Roger Haumueller, managing director of Bangkok-based travel company Asian Trails, gives an update on the situation in the Thai capital

We are happy to report that within the last 24 hours the situation in Bangkok has greatly improved.

The protestors have cleared the streets of Bangkok and are now only protesting around the Government House.

Before noon, one of the leaders of the protesters has asked the remaining crowd to disperse.

The government is offering free bus rides to the home provinces of the protestors. It has been reported that many of the protestors have accepted this offer.

The area around the Government House is not included in any of our tour itineraries. All our sightseeing tours such as the Grand Palace tour, the Floating Market, the River Kwai and the biking tour are operated as normal.

All Bangkok shopping malls are re opened as of today. A reduced train service to/from Bangkok has resumed since yesterday evening.

The sky train and metro services in Bangkok had never been interrupted. Normal life has returned to the city.

This is the situation on April 14 at noon (local time). We are closely monitoring the situation and expect all demonstrations to end by tonight.

Countries warn citizens against travel to Thailand (April 14, 2009)

BANGKOK - Australia, the UK, Russia and Hong Kong have joined governments around the world in advising their citizens to avoid or reconsider travelling to Bangkok.

Britain’s Foreign Office described the situation as “volatile and unpredictable with a high risk of further bloodshed”.

The latest FO advice said: “In view of the risk of a further deterioration, British citizens are warned not to travel to Bangkok unless their visit is absolutely essential and to review their travel plans to other parts of Thailand."

Both Australia and Britain cautioned their residents in Bangkok and other cities affected by the violence to stay indoors and to monitor the media and official travel advice.

"We urge Australians not in Bangkok to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok," said Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.

The warning echoed an official travel advisory issued on Monday, the fourth time in three days the Australian government's advice on Thailand has been revised in the face of a rapidly evolving crisis.

In Tokyo, the Japanese foreign ministry warned travellers to be on high alert and to stay away from government buildings and street rallies.

The ministry also recommended that Japanese travellers and residents refrain from wearing red or yellow T-shirts to avoid being mistaken for either anti- or pro-government protesters.

The Philippines, Malaysia and South Korea on Monday also told travellers to stay away from Bangkok or exercise extreme caution.

And Hong Kong stepped up its travel advisory.

Beijing issued a warning that the situation has descended into violence. Officials said travellers considering Bangkok as a destination should adjust their plans.

The United States told citizens in Bangkok to avoid demonstrations and to exercise caution.

Italian Ambassador to Thailand Ignazio Di Pace told the Bangkok Post the demonstrations were more serious than the political unrest last November when the PAD seized the airports.

"It is sad and unfortunate that in the past three years Thailand has yet to solve political deadlocks in a democratic and constitutional manner that could stabilise the situation," the Italian ambassador said.

Source: TravelMole UK and the Bangkok Post 

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