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

April 09, 2010
The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in
Thailand that the Royal Thai Government, under the order of Prime
Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, has declared a State of Emergency in Bangkok
and surrounding areas following demonstrations by protestors from the
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or
"red-shirts"). While the details of how the State of the Emergency will
be implemented are still unknown, U.S. citizens should expect to see an
increase in the presence of security personnel on the streets of Bangkok
and should adhere to any and all instructions from such personnel. The
State of Emergency grants special powers to the Royal Thai Police and
Army; however, it is not known how these powers will be exercised
against the UDD demonstrators who have been protesting around the
Ratchaphrasong intersection adjacent to Central World, Rajadamri Road
and Soi Lang Suan, as well as the Phanfa Bridge area in old Bangkok.
This Travel Alert will expire on April 19, 2010.
Political demonstrations by the UDD are expected to continue in Bangkok
throughout the weekend and possibly throughout the Songkran holidays
(April 13-16). As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of
movement is possible throughout Bangkok. 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. Travel to
Thailand remains generally safe. However, 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.
The Department also alerts U.S. citizens that if demonstrations in
Bangkok are forcibly dispersed, the UDD demonstrators may move to other
provinces. Possible demonstration sites include provincial halls and
military and police installations. Therefore, U.S. citizens should
monitor public sources of information to stay abreast of the latest
information concerning demonstrations and areas to avoid.
U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S.
citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be targeted for
demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements around
Bangkok.
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.
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