NOTE: We have issued a Travel Warning for Thailand, advising American
Citizens to defer all travel to Bangkok and defer non-essential travel
to the rest of Thailand. We are constantly reviewing that guidance to
be sure it reflects the changing conditions.
The Department of State has authorized departure (i.e. voluntary
departure) for non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible
family members. The U.S. Embassy has decided, in light of the current
situation, to go to authorized departure only for eligible family
members from Bangkok. Employees of the Embassy will remain in place.
Travel Warning: Thailand
(Issued on May 15, 2010)
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in
Thailand of ongoing political demonstrations and unrest in Bangkok and
Chiang Mai. Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, including
gunfire near the U.S. Embassy, demonstrations in Chiang Mai, and other
incidents throughout Thailand, U.S. citizens should defer all travel to
Bangkok and defer all non-essential travel to the rest of Thailand. The
Department of State has authorized the departure of all non-emergency
U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from Bangkok.
This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 28, 2010, and is in response
to updated information on increased violence and security concerns. The
Department of State recommends against travel to Bangkok and
non-essential travel to Thailand at this time.
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or
"red-shirts") continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may
change or expand its demonstration locations at any time. Various other
groups have engaged in pro-government or counter-demonstrations in
Bangkok and Chiang Mai. There have been several clashes between
security forces and the UDD and other demonstrators. These clashes may
escalate with no warning. For areas currently affected by
demonstrations, please refer to local media.
The Royal Thai Government through the Center for the Resolution of the
Emergency Situation has announced its plans to close off the
demonstration area at the Ratchaprasong rally site in an attempt to
disperse the protesters. Authorities are taking the following measures:
--limiting transportation services, including the BTS Skytrain, MRTA,
canal routes, and possibly bus routes;
--setting up checkpoints at all access routes in order to control and
limit access to the rally site for details on what routes may be
affected, please refer to local media;
--cutting off telephone service to the rally site;
--possibly cutting off electricity and water to the rally site and
surrounding areas.
The U.S. Embassy, including visa operations, was closed on Friday, May
14 and will be closed on Monday, May 17. If security issues persist,
the U.S. Embassy may continue to close. American Citizen Services (ACS)
will be available for emergencies only. To find out the current
operating status of the U.S. Embassy, please go to the Embassy's website
at
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov. The U.S. Embassy recommends against
coming to this area. If U.S. citizens currently have appointments with
ACS, they may go online or call us once we have reopened at 02-205-4049
to reschedule.
U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and lodging in this area and the
areas in and around all demonstrations. If U.S. citizens must travel to
these areas, they should exercise special caution and remain vigilant
with regard to their personal security. U.S. Embassy personnel who live
in affected areas are being relocated to housing outside of the affected
areas until the situation is resolved. The Department of State has
authorized the departure of all non-emergency U.S. government personnel
and eligible family members from Bangkok. The U.S. Embassy is
restricting the travel of official visitors to Thailand.
The Royal Thai Government has declared a state of emergency in the
following provinces:
-Chiang Mai
-Chiang Rai
-Lampang
-Nan
-Nakhon Sawan
-Samut Prakan
-Chon Buri
-Nonthaburi
-Pathum Thani
-Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
-Khon Kaen
-Udon Thani
-Chaiyaphum
-Nakhon Ratchasima
-Si Sa Ket
This action expands the existing state of emergency in the Bangkok
metropolitan area that the government declared on April 7, 2010.
A state of emergency gives the police and military increased powers to
maintain public order. Specifically, security forces have the authority
to:
-prohibit gatherings of more than five people;
-prohibit distribution of media or publications deemed to affect
security or public order;
-prohibit or limit the use of vehicles or particular routes; and
-evacuate buildings or areas or prohibit entry into them.
You should expect to see more security forces personnel in the streets.
You might encounter them at roadblocks or other security checkpoints.
If you encounter police or military personnel, you should obey any and
all instructions from them. Be sure to carry identification and proof
of your U.S. citizenship at all times to present if asked by
authorities.
Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka
UDD or "red-shirts") in Chiang Mai city may go to Bangkok to assist UDD
supporters there. Security forces may try to block these movements,
which could lead to violent confrontations.
Political demonstrations by the UDD are expected to continue in Bangkok
indefinitely. As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of
movement is possible throughout Bangkok, and traffic patterns may change
unexpectedly as demonstrators block roads. Other forms of
transportation, such as the BTS Skytrain, may close unexpectedly in
response to threats or incidents, such as occurred on April 27, when
protesters tried to block the tracks with tires.
There have been numerous incidents of explosive attacks, including
several isolated grenade attacks, in and around Bangkok and Chiang Mai
over the past two months. Additional explosive devices have been
discovered before detonation. Some of these incidents occurred at or
near areas frequented by U.S. citizens. These incidents appear to be
motivated by domestic politics and do not appear to be acts of
international terrorism. The possibility of more such attacks cannot
be ruled out. U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution and
vigilance at all times. Immediately report to law enforcement or
security personnel any unattended packages or bags or suspicious objects
in public areas.
On Saturday, April 10, UDD and Royal Thai Government security forces
clashed in the Phanfa Bridge area, resulting in a number of fatalities.
On April 27, UDD protesters clashed with police near the Thai Air Force
headquarters at Don Muang. The UDD stopped and entered vehicles looking
for military and police personnel. Media report that UDD leaders plan
to block the movement of security forces from the provinces to Bangkok.
UDD supporters have threatened demonstrations in the provinces if its
current demonstrations in Bangkok are forcibly dispersed, as occurred
April 9, 10, and 24. Therefore, U.S. citizens should monitor public
sources of information to stay abreast of the latest information
concerning demonstrations and areas to avoid.
On the evening of April 22, 2010, several explosions occurred in the
Silom/Sala Daeng area at the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station causing a
number of injuries, including at least one fatality. The possibility of
more such attacks cannot be ruled out. U.S. citizens should avoid
travel to and lodging in this area.
The Department strongly encourages U.S. citizens in Thailand to register
with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or through the
State Department's travel registration website
<
https://travelregistration.state.gov/> . For information on general
crime and security issues, U.S. citizens may also consult the Department
of State's Country Specific Information for Thailand and the Worldwide
Caution, located at the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs
website <
http://travel.state.gov/> . U.S. citizens may also obtain
up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747
from the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas.
The American Citizen Services section of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok
<
http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/> is located at 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok
10330, Thailand. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy
can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at
acsbkk@state.gov. The emergency after-hours telephone number is
66-2-205-4000.
The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai
<
http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/> is located at 387 Wichayanond Road
in Chiang Mai. The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consulate
General can be reached by calling 66-53-107-777 and by e-mail at
acschn@state.gov. The after-hours emergency telephone number is
66-81-881-1878.
