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LIFE IN BANGKOK CITY CENTRE RETURNING TO NORMAL
Update as of 24 May 2010
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During a televised address on 21 May 2010 at 14.00 hrs, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced that order in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand had been restored. |
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A joint taskforce of police and military personnel acting under the direction of the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has completed its security sweep to clear all areas previously occupied by the protesters. |
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In areas where the security forces have completed their operation, the task of overseeing these public areas has been handed back to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Public utilities in all affected areas have been restored.
The BMA kicked off its “Big Cleaning Day” campaign on Sunday 23 May as a first step in the BMA’s rehabilitation plan for Bangkok. These efforts will continue on Monday 24 May. The BMA will also be hosting a merit-making ceremony for the city in the Ratchaprasong area at 06.00 hrs on Wednesday 26 May. |
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Mass transportation services have also resumed. Public bus services were back in operation on 21 May. The elevated BTS Skytrain and the MRT Subway system resumed service on Sunday 23 May.
The BTS Skytrain will provide limited service from 08.00 – 21.00 hrs at all stations except Ratchadamri, while the MRT Subway has resumed service at all stations from 08.00 – 21.00 hrs.
Normal BTS and MRT service (from 06.00 hrs to midnight) will resume when the curfew is lifted. |
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Government offices and businesses have resumed normal operation. |
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Full banking services and trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has also resumed. |
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The new school term at most schools in Bangkok starts today. |
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All international and domestic airports around Thailand have not been in any way affected by the political developments of the past week or past two months. Both city airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, have been operating as normal throughout. All other international and domestic airports in Thailand remain fully operational. There has been no interruption in service. |
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HOTELS AROUND THE RATCHAPRASONG INTERSECTION, PRATUNAM, SIAM SQUARE AND SALADAENG INTERSECTION SCHEDULED TO RE-OPEN
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With the exception of Zen, CentralWorld, Isetan and Big C Rajdamri, all other department stores and shopping malls in Bangkok and around Thailand have not been affected. Please contact the individual outlets for store opening/closing times.
Central Department Store: Locations and Hours
www.central.co.th/branch/index_en.php
Emporium Department Store and Shopping Complex (Sukhumvit 24)
www.emporiumthailand.com/directory/
Robinson Department Store
www.robinson.co.th/store-en.html
MBK Center aka Mahboonkrong
www.mbk-center.co.th/th/
Platinum Fashion Mall
www.platinumfashionmall.com
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Life in all other areas of Bangkok and the remaining provinces of Thailand continues as normal. Tourism attractions in these areas are not affected in any way. |
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The Royal Thai Government attaches priority to ensuring public safety, including that of foreigners residing in Thailand. The CRES will continue for the time being to implement security measures to ensure public safety, including checkpoints and patrols.
The curfew in Bangkok and the provinces covered by the Emergency Decree* will remain in place for 24 May 2010 (Monday) with the curfew time adjusted to 23.00 hrs – 04.00 hrs. The CRES decision on whether to extend the curfew will be made on a day-by-day basis. |
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Pattaya: Curfew Lifted on 22 May
The lifting of the curfew in Pattaya on Saturday night, 22 May, was warmly welcomed by business operators, visitors and local residents. |
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*Emergency Decree Remains In Effect
Visitors and tourists are advised to be vigilant, follow news developments, exercise extra caution and avoid areas covered by the Declaration of a severe emergency situation in the areas of Bangkok and the provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Si Sa Ket, Ubon Ratchathani, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nong Bua Lampoo, Sakhon Nakhon, Kalasin and Mukdahan. |
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 24-hour operation centre provides foreigners with further information. Please call +662-575-1023, +662-981-7225, +66-88-022-1540 or +66-88-022-1541. |
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Thai Tourism Industry representatives are on stand-by to provide assistance to foreign tourists and visitors.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Tourism Intelligence Unit and Crisis Communication Centre (TIC) serves as an operations centre for state and private sector consultative meetings and joint planning sessions and enables TAT and representatives from the Thai tourism industry to plan and execute rapid and orchestrated responses. |
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The TAT Hotline and Call Centre — 1672 — operates from 08.00 – 20.00 hrs daily. TAT recommends that foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand call 1672 for tourist assistance. In the event that further coordination or facilitation is needed, they will be directed to the nearest TAT Tourist Information Centre. |
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TAT also recommends that foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand call the 24-hour Tourist Police Hotline — 1155 — for tourist assistance and the latest updates on roads to avoid. |
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HOTLINES & CALL CENTRE NUMBERS |
Tourist Police |
1155 |
| TAT Call Centre |
1672 |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
24-Hour Operation Centre
For enquiries from foreign visitors |
+66 (0) 2575-1023
+66 (0) 2981-7225
+66-88-022-1540
+66-88-022-1541 |
BTS Skytrain
(Bangkok Mass Transit System) |
(0) 2617 7340
(0) 2617 7300 Ext 1834-1844 |
BTS Skytrain Hotline |
(0) 2617 6000 |
General Insurance Association |
1356 |
Thai Airways International (THAI) |
+66 (0) 2356-1111 |
Suvarnabhumi Airport |
+66 (0) 2132-1888 |
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PATA – The Pacific Asia Travel Association – has pledged to work with TAT in helping to shape and implement a recovery programme. |
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TAT will also be meeting with representatives from Thailand’s tourism-related trade associations on 25 May to discuss and finalize rehabilitation plans and tourism recovery initiatives for the various sub-sectors of Thailand’s tourism industry. |
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