Normalcy returning to Bangkok

Over the past few days, supporters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) had gathered in Bangkok to protest against the current government, which resulted in closing some of the major roads in Bangkok.

On 14 April, however, the UDD leaders called off their anti-government protests. By mid-afternoon on the same day, most of the protestors in several Bangkok areas had dispersed.

There are still small groups of protesters remain in the Government House and nearby areas. Tourists are advised to avoid travelling to areas near the demonstration site. For sightseeing around Rattanakosin Island, visitors can easily take shuttle boats and river taxis along the Chao Phraya River. All the other major tourist attractions and shopping districts in Bangkok and nationwide are unaffected.

Although the Emergency Decree in Bangkok has not been lifted, life in the capital and the rest of the Kingdom has returned to normal. There has been no report of foreign nationals being affected by the protests.

The State of Emergency for Pattaya and Chon Buri province, which had been declared on 11 April, was lifted soon after on the same day following the safe departure of the ASEAN leaders.

All roads in Bangkok are now open to traffic. The BTS SkyTrain, MRT subway services, public utilities and communication services also operate uninterrupted. Other travel-related infrastructures and services including all airports, train services, roadways operate as normal.

Hotel and tourist attractions, including major shopping centres are now open on a normal schedule. As the government has declared April 16 and 17 (Thursday and Friday) public holidays, some of the Songkran Thai New Year events and celebrations still take place across the country.

For the latest updates on Bangkok Situation, please visit website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand at www.tourismthailand.org and www.tatnews.org.

Several media sources reported that Thailand still enjoyed its Songkran water festival despite the political turmoil happened in the capital.

The Times "New Year parties go on....."
The Nation "Silom and Khao San wet and wild"

Thailand News Archive