Updated on April 28, 2010

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in

Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Due to

escalating violence in central Bangkok, demonstrations in Chiang Mai,

and other incidents throughout Thailand, all U.S. citizens should avoid

nonessential travel to Thailand. This replaces the Travel Alert dated

April 22, 2010, to update information on security concerns and to

recommend against nonessential travel to Thailand at this time. This

Travel Alert will expire on July 28, 2010.

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 in

Bangkok and Chiang Mai. 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.

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. Other forms of

transportation, such as the BTS Skytrain, may close unexpectedly in

response to threats or incidents, such as occurred on April 27, when

protesters jumped onto the tracks and tried to block the tracks with

tires.

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.

Supporters of a pro-Government movement known as "mixed shirts," "no

color," or "multi-color" have begun nightly demonstrations in the

Nimmanhemin area of Chiang Mai city, near Chiang Mai University, an area

frequented by U.S. citizens. Media report that these supporters intend

to repeat these nightly demonstrations indefinitely. Supporters of the

UDD may confront these demonstrations. In the past, similar

confrontations have turned violent.

On Saturday, April 10, UDD and Royal Thai Government security forces

clashed in the Phanfa Bridge area, resulting in a number of fatalities.

On April 27, UDD protesters clashed with police near the Thai Air Force

headquarters at Don Muang. The UDD stopped and entered vehicles

looking for military and police personnel. Media report that UDD leaders

plan to block the movement of security forces from the provinces to

Bangkok.

UDD supporters have threatened demonstrations in the provinces if its

current demonstrations in Bangkok are forcibly dispersed, as occurred

April 9, 10, and 24. Therefore, U.S. citizens should monitor public

sources of information to stay abreast of the latest information

concerning demonstrations and areas to avoid.

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.

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.

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.

As a reminder, U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution and good

judgment while travelling in Bangkok and should be aware of the

possibility of disturbances elsewhere. Americans are also encouraged

to:

* defer non-essential travel to Bangkok, but must also determine

for themselves what is essential and what is not;

* be prepared for the possibility of more violence. Should U.S.

citizens suspect violence in their vicinity, they should stay indoors

and, if they hear explosions nearby, take care to avoid windows.;

* as a precaution, U.S. citizens residing in Bangkok should have

enough food, water, candles and flashlights in their homes to last at

least three days;

* register with the U.S. Embassy website

<http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/embassy/acsregform.htm> and receive the

latest Warden Messages;

* refer to the Department of State's travel website

<http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_4254.html>

, which includes information on the Department of State's role in a

crisis abroad and on crisis preparedness;

* and monitor local media for the latest information.

I wonder if this warning invalidates insurance policies for people who choose to travel now it's in place ? Does it work in the same was as the UK system ?

anyone know about how many US citizens live/stay in LOS a majority of the year?

I am very surprise to see that they have put a warning for all Thailand. From the town hall meeting I did not get this impression at all and we were told that is very safe most of the places except so called the red zone

And as I know and can see everywhere except part of Bangkok is very safe

In general, Chiang Mai has been quiet although a few small bombs have gone off that seem to be warnings.

I wonder if this warning invalidates insurance policies for people who choose to travel now it's in place ? Does it work in the same was as the UK system ?

US warning system same, this is second highest level. Some policies stop at this level,non-essential travel, some allow travel up to the "all travel" stage. These are legal definitions so you have to check out the individual policy. Note that the next level of warning also recommends you to leave the Country or areas concerned and if you don't you certainly won't be covered.

I think this warning as with the UK one is the clearest sign yet of a major offensive against the Reds.

A friend of mine works for some consortium in California they are now forbidden to travel to Thailand!