The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in
Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok. Due to escalating
violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential
travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand
should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should
exercise caution and good judgment. This replaces the Travel Alert
dated April 20, 2010, to update information on security concerns and to
recommend against travel to Bangkok at this time. This Travel Alert
will expire on July 22, 2010.
On the evening of April 22, 2010, several explosions occurred in the
Silom/Sala Daeng area at the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station causing a
number of injuries, including at least one fatality. The possibility of
more such attacks cannot be ruled out. U.S. citizens should avoid
travel to and lodging in this area. You should monitor local news
concerning demonstrations and avoid such areas, if possible. If U.S.
citizens must travel to these areas, they should exercise special
caution and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security.
Immediately report to law enforcement or security personnel any
unattended packages or bags or suspicious objects in public areas.
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or
"red-shirts") continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may
change or expand its demonstration locations at any time. Various other
groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations. There
have been several minor clashes between the UDD and other demonstrators.
These clashes may escalate with no warning. For areas currently
affected by demonstrations, please refer to local media.
On Saturday, April 10, UDD and Royal Thai Government security forces
clashed in the Phanfa Bridge area, resulting in a number of fatalities.
The Royal Thai Government, under the order of Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva, is still operating under a State of Emergency in Bangkok and
surrounding areas, that grants special powers to the Royal Thai Police
and Army. It is unclear what additional steps the Royal Thai Government
may take under the State of Emergency.
U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little
or no warning. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be
targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements
around Bangkok.
Political demonstrations by the UDD are expected to continue in Bangkok
indefinitely. As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of
movement is possible throughout Bangkok, and traffic patterns may change
unexpectedly as demonstrators block roads. 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. 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, as occurred April 9 and 10. 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.
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. _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
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