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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. 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.
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 continue today 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.
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.
Government offices and businesses have resumed normal operation. Full banking services and trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has also resumed.
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.
Hotels around the Ratchaprasong Ιntersection, Pratunam, Siam Square and Saladaeng Intersection that have already open or scheduled to re-open:
– Amari Watergate 23 May 2010
– Eastin Hotel 23 May 2010
– First Hotel 23 May 2010
– Asia Hotel Bangkok 24 May 2010
– Novotel Bangkok 24 May 2010
– Pathumwan Princess 24 May 2010
– Siam City Hotel 24 May 2010
– Siam@Siam 24 May 2010
– Vie Hotel 24 May 2010
– Dusit Thani Bangkok 25 May 2010
– Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok 26 May 2010
– Holiday Inn 26 May 2010
– Siam Intercontinental 26 May 2010
– Arnoma Hotel 26 May 2010
– Indra Hotel 1 June 2010
– Baiyoke Sky Fully operational
– Baiyoke I To be confirmed
– Century Park Hotel To be confirmed
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.
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.
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 today 24 May 2010 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.
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.
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.
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.
TravelDailyNews Asia-Pacific editorial team has an experience of over 35 years in B2B travel journalism as well as in tourism & hospitality marketing and communications.
