Asia Expats Forum

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

Embassy Closed Friday, May 14; Update on Possible Outages in Bangkok
May 13, 2010

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in
Thailand that the Royal Thai Government through the Center for the
Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has announced its plans to
close off the demonstration area at the Ratchaprasong rally site in an
attempt to disperse the protesters. We understand that beginning today,
May 13, at 6:00 p.m., authorities will take the following measures:

--limit transportation services, including the BTS Skytrain, MRTA, canal
routes, and possibly bus routes.
--set up check points at all access routes to control and limit access
to the rally site. For details on what routes may be affected, please
refer to local media.
--cut off electricity, water, and telephone to the rally site and
possibly surrounding areas. It is currently unclear how large an area
will be affected. It is also unclear how the UDD will respond.

The U.S. Embassy, including visa operations, will be closed tomorrow,
Friday, May 14. American Citizen Services (ACS) will be available for
emergencies only. If at all possible, the U.S. Embassy recommends
against coming to this area on May 14. If U.S. citizens currently have
appointments with ACS for May 14, you may go online or call us at
02-205-4049 to reschedule.

U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and lodging in this area and the
areas in and around all demonstrations, 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. U.S. Embassy
personnel who live around this area have been given the option to
relocate to housing outside of the affected area until the situation is
resolved. U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution and vigilance
at all times.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or
"red-shirts") continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may
change or expand their demonstration locations at any time. Various
other groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations.
There have been several clashes between the security forces and the UDD
and other demonstrators. These clashes may escalate with no warning.
For areas currently affected by demonstrations, please refer to local
media. These demonstrations are expected to continue in Bangkok
indefinitely.

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.

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