The decision by Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to dissolve the parliament and call for a new election puts the Kingdom into political turmoil but does not affect normal life of citizens and visitors.
BANGKOK – Under the street pressure with daily demonstrations blocking some parts of Bangkok government’s office, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced in the early hours of December 9 to dissolve the lower house of Parliament and call for fresh elections as soon as possible in an attempt to calm the current political situation. The Cabinet members will also be dissolved but they will continue to run current affairs as an interim government.
Ms. Yingluck’s announcement came as large numbers of people join various anti-government groups in mass marches from different locations through Bangkok to Government House today.
According to the transcription of her speech on television, “the situation seems likely to escalate to violence so the government has decided to return power to the people and let them decide through elections,” she declared. Protesters are more radical and vowed to demonstrate until the influence of the Chinawatra family wanes out of Thailand and that a “people’s council” is put in place.
Tourists are advised to be vigilant and avoid areas where crowds may gather and pay attention to local news media reports as to the whereabouts of the anti-government groups’ marches. It should be stressed that tourists have not been targeted in the current political demonstrations.
Tourist attractions and activities in Bangkok are open and operating as per normal. To avoid getting caught in heavy road traffic while travelling within the Thai capital, tourists are advised to use other means of transportation, such as, BTS skytrain, MRT subway, Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link’s express and city lines, and water-transport (ferries, boats, long-tailed boats and hotels’ converted rice barge cruises).
International and domestic airlines are operating flights between Bangkok and Thai cities, as well as destinations around the world, as per normal. All city transportation – bus, taxi, skytrain, subway and boat – are operating as per normal.
Air travellers with departure flights out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are advised to allocate more time before flights depart or at least four hours, especially those using road transports. Suvarnabhumi Airport provides a 24-hour passenger assistant centre at the CIP 5 room on the 3rd floor of the passenger terminal with a hot line at Tel: +66 (0) 2132 1999 and Fax: +66 (0) 2132 8999. To check flight schedule, contact Tel: +66 (0) 2132 1888.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
