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Mike · Site Admin Joined: 07 Sep 2004 Posts: 4512 Location:

August 29, 2008

This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to
and residing in Thailand of demonstrations by the People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD) throughout Thailand, their effect on airports in Phuket,
Hat Yai, and Krabi, and on the Thai railway system.

The situation around the Government House appears to be deteriorating as
of late August 29, with the police unable to control PAD demonstrators
pushing out of the Government House compound. Very small numbers of
protesters have attempted to use violence to impede RTP progress into
the Government House compound, though the majority of protesters are
employing civil disobedience tactics by sitting or laying down and have
discouraged the use of violence by their activists.

The RTP continues to block all vehicular access in the area of the
Government House. The area near Makawan Rangsan Bridge, Chamaimuruchet
Bridge, Government House, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Co-operation located on Rajdamnern Road should be
avoided. Major traffic delays are expected in areas surrounding
Rajdamnern Road including the following: Sriyudhaya Road, Pitsanuloke
Road, and Rajvithi Road. Vipawadee Ransit Road inbound is also blocked
by the protesters in front of NBT.

PAD leaders have asked their protesters to continue their efforts until
Sunday and have called for supporters to block provincial airports in
Thailand, but not airports in Bangkok. PAD demonstrators have already
blocked the entrance of at least three airports in the south, Phuket
International Airport, Hat Yai Airport, and Krabi Airport. Thai Airways
and Air Asia have cancelled all flights to and from Krabi Airport. At
other airports, passengers have to walk through the demonstrators to get
to the front entrance or follow airport officials' instructions to
alternative entrances because the airport is trying to prevent the
demonstrators from entering the airport. At the present time, Phuket
International Airport and Hat Yai Airport are confirmed to be open and
operating. Passengers are advised to confirm their flight, check with
the airport authorities, and give themselves extra time to deal with
possible delays. The list of airports that are affected by the
demonstrations may continue to grow.

Phuket International Airport Call Center: 076-351-111
Hat Yai Airport Call Center: 074-227-000
Krabi Airport Call Center: 075-636-541

News reports also indicate that railway workers have stopped most trains
nationwide in sympathy with PAD protesters.

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to
be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into
violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of
demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the
vicinity of any demonstrations.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling
abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular
Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current
Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and
health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on
security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the
U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll
line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal
holidays).

American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to
register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy
is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. 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 after hours
emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.
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