US Embassy in Bangkok advises citizens to stock a two week supply of cash, food and medicine

[Jonathan Fairfield]

US Embassy in Bangkok advises citizens to stock a two week supply of cash, food and medicine

BANGKOK: -- As political tensions are set to reach breaking point in Bangkok this coming week, the US Embassy is now advising American nationals in the capital to make sure they stock up on some much needed essentials, including cash, food and medicine.

“We advise you to plan ahead. It is prudent to ensure you have a week’s supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged, and stock a two week supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine.”

Below is the official release in full from the US Embassy in Bangkok dated January 10, 2014.

-- 2013-01-10

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations in Thailand

January 10, 2014

This is to advise and update U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Thailand that political activists intend to hold simultaneous mass rallies at key intersections and other locations in Bangkok beginning on Monday, January 13th. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok and U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai will remain open for consular services.

The announced January 13 mass rally sites are at major intersections throughout Bangkok, including Asok-Sukhumvit, Pathumwan, Lumpini, Victory Monument, Ratchaprasong, Lat Prao, and Silom and at the Chaeng Watthana government complex. Protests may occur in other areas with little prior notice. Subsequent events are unpredictable, although protest leaders have declared their plan to continue with rallies after January 13.

Protests are expected to occur elsewhere in Thailand, including near Chiang Mai University scheduled for Sunday afternoon, January 12.

While protests have been generally peaceful over the last two months, some have resulted in injury and death. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational, and can escalate into violence without warning. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings or protests. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news and media reports.

These demonstrations can result in significant traffic disruptions and delays. When they occur, and especially on January 13, you should allow extra time when travelling throughout the city or to airports. Consider public transportation alternatives.

We advise you to plan ahead. It is prudent to ensure you have a week’s supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged, and stock a two week supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department's website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Thailand. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us onTwitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone Appto have travel information at your fingertips.

The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy (http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html) is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok, and can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049, or by e-mailing [email protected]. The Embassy’s after-hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.

The U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai (http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/service.html) 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.

Source: http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service.html

[TVGerry]

Sh%t just got real!

[Costas2008]

Is this the beginning?

[Thait Spot]

Watch the shelves empty of items such as burgers, hotdogs and chewing gum

The Thais will get all the canned fish and pot noodles

Water will go short

and when the beer is all gone, I'm off to Isaaan where I can get all that I need

[davejones]

Watch the shelves empty of items such as burgers, hotdogs and chewing gum

The Thais will get all the canned fish and pot noodles

Water will go short

and when the beer is all gone, I'm off to Isaaan where I can get all that I need

Goodbye!

[jackrich]

Just go to Isaan for a few weeks. Plenty of food, nice people and no lunatics.

[moonao]

good advice.

things could get ugly.

I would get a 1m supply and be prepared for an extended stay indoors if living in BKK.

[Jingthing]

Only Bangkok?

Should us provincials be concerned enough to start hoarding as well?

Aren't such messages likely to start a panic ... like ATMs running dry?

Edited January 10, 2014 by Jingthing

[thesetat2013]

TVGerry is right. Its real now! At least they will keep embassy open. But this situation is not threatening to unless you go looking for trouble by involving yourself with this conflict.

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chainarong]

A responsible embassy(Not Mine) advising not only US citizens but the expat community as well, no panic , no pack drill, If you are in BKK , just stay away from protesters.. Easy.

[culicine]

Been here too long to take these warnings too seriously. Obviously, in the BKK area it's wise to stock up a bit, as moving though the protest areas may be difficult. Even the embassy of Kuwait told their citizens to leave Thailand. lol After what they have been through, BKK protests will be a picnic in the park to them.

[Thai at Heart]

Just go to Isaan for a few weeks. Plenty of food, nice people and no lunatics.

All the loonies will be bussed to Bangkok.

[Bender]

thanks for the warning, i am heading now to the drugstore!

let see 14 days, 4 time a days that make 14 x 4 = 56

so i will need 56 condoms pack of condoms

[chainarong]

Only Bangkok?

Should us provincials be concerned enough to start hoarding as well?

Aren't such messages likely to start a panic ... like ATMs running dry?

I shouldn't worry , not yet, in 2010 the red shirt towns were firing shots at cars passing through their town, with suspected yellow shirt supporters, it hasn't escalated outside of BKK yet.

[webfact]

US embassy advises Americans to stock two weeks of food, water, medicine
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The US Embassy has advised its citizens to stock a two-week supply of food, water and medicine because of simultaneous massive rallies in Bangkok starting Monday.

In the security message for US citizens posted on the embassy's website, it also advised Americans to have a week's supply of cash.

"We advise you to plan ahead. It is prudent to ensure you have a week's supply of cash, keep your mobile communications devices charged, and stock a two week supply of essential items such as food, water, and medicine," the warning said.


-- The Nation 2014-01-10

[moonao]

The Americans are all too aware of what the yellow shirt nutters are capable of.

Their embassy in BKK was surrounded by yellow shirts simply because the US made a statement in support of the democratic roadmap proposed by Yingluck.

Stock up and stay safe.

[crazykopite]

I went to Tesco Koh Samui today the shelves are empty and the first thing that came to mind was either people are stockpiling or they have transportation issues I would imagine that supplies come from Bangkok if all these intersections are closed I cannot see many vehicles being on the roads in Bangkok something tells me weare all in for a crazy week or two all due to one individual lock him up and throw the key away he wants to turn Thailand into a North Korea where no one will have any rights accept those with masses of wealth gained by corruption.

[Thailand]

But I thought only government offices/ employees would be affected?

Isn't that what dear leader said?

[chrisinth]

Just go to Isaan for a few weeks. Plenty of food, nice people and no lunatics.

And where do you think Isaan gets its stock from?

Advising people to come and deplete your stock is very civil, but not too clever..........

[Suradit69]

They're simply advising people to practice common sense, which they know all too well is generally lacking.

Of course, some shortages could occur, but they don't know anything more than anyone else and they didn't suggest you should hyperventilate.

Edited January 10, 2014 by Suradit69

[Thailand]

Been here too long to take these warnings too seriously. Obviously, in the BKK area it's wise to stock up a bit, as moving though the protest areas may be difficult. Even the embassy of Kuwait told their citizens to leave Thailand. lol After what they have been through, BKK protests will be a picnic in the park to them.

Lived in HK for many years and during the season a few typhoon number 8 to 10 would be issued.

The supermarket shelves would be cleared, crazy as most typhoons usually passed in less than 24 hours.

Panic buying takes over as it will in Bangkok.

To all those affected, Suthep is the name of the guy that has disrupted your lives!

[Mampara]

Big mouth when all is going well, but wimps when the "dwang" hits the fan. and all join the chicken run, common man for once in your life stand your ground.

[canardo]

Ridiculous. Once again, America shows itself to be the premiere scaredy-cat nation on earth.

Nope, I received an email from the German embassy on Friday with the same concerns and advises...

Let's hope for the best!

[oldthaihand99]

Does this mean my hotel may cease offering free breakfast & Bumrungrad overcrowded?

[romapizzeriabkk]

Stock up ? For what ? .... dude you people need to start thinking for yourselves seriously.

Bangkok... will not "run out of food" because of 35k people on x locations, nor anything special will happen in future. So.. "shit didn't just got real".

[henrymeier99]

Pattaya will once again be full. Welcome here.

[Prbkk]

Nah...just an extra tip for the delivery boys...

[JesseFrank]

Should other nationalities also stock up ?

[bunny11kk]

They can fly to the casino in Macau with the cash. A lot of mainland chinese do this

[PaulHamon]

imo crazy overreaction.