Asia Expats Forum

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

March 10, 2010
This message alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand
that political demonstrations by the United Front for Democracy Against
Dictatorship (aka UDD or "red-shirts") are expected to begin in Bangkok
towards the end of this week and could last well into next week. The
main demonstration is expected to occur near Government House and along
Ratchadamnoen Road in the Dusit district of Bangkok, but the UDD has
also announced plans for demonstrations in other parts of town. As a
result, traffic congestion and difficulty of movement is possible
throughout Bangkok. U.S. citizens should be alert to the possibility
of UDD demonstrations or gatherings elsewhere in Thailand as well.
While UDD leadership has pledged that the demonstrations will be
peaceful, the possibility of violence cannot be ruled out and the
government has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA), which gives the
police and military expanded powers to maintain security. U.S. citizens
are reminded of the small bombs which exploded (or were detected) in
Bangkok in late February; Thai authorities are closely monitoring the
possibility of similar occurrences.
Therefore, U.S. citizens should, particularly over the March 12-14
weekend, pay close attention to public sources of information, including
media reporting and the U.S. Embassy website, concerning events on the
streets of Bangkok and should be aware of their surroundings at all
times. We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be
peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.
U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations
and to exercise caution in their movements around Bangkok or if within
the vicinity of any demonstrations.

U.S. citizens living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website
<http://www.travel.state.gov/> where the current Worldwide Caution,
Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be
found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review "A
Safe Trip Abroad"
<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html> , which
includes valuable security information for those both living and
traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers
may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling
1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the
U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to
register <https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs> with the
Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. 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.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok <http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/>
American Citizen Services
95 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Telephone: 66-2-205-4049
Emergency after-hours telephone: 66-2-205-4000

U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai <http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/>
387 Wichayanond Road
Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand
Telephone: 66-53-107-700
Emergency weekend duty phone: 66-81-881-1878
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