Us Embassy Alert

[RawaiRumper]

: Thailand

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Reply |Bangkok ACS

show details 10:45 AM (47 minutes ago)

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

[email protected]. 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

[email protected]. The after-hours emergency telephone number is

66-81-881-1878.