45 countries issue Thailand travel warnings

[webfact]

45 countries issue travel warnings
The Nation

Travellers being urged to avoid rally sites, stock up on cash, food and water

BANGKOK: -- Many countries have advised their nationals to stay away from demonstration sites on Monday and ensure that they have enough cash on them, a fully-charged communication device as well as enough food and water to last a while. They have also been advised not to wear red or yellow.

"Participating or showing support in any form to any of the parties is strongly discouraged," the Philippines Embassy in Bangkok said on its website.

"For information, the red and yellow colours are closely identified with some of the parties involved," it said referring to the colours associated with political conflict over recent years.

People who support the Yingluck Shinawatra government have been wearing red, while anti-government groups, who used to wear yellow, have now chosen to wear the national flag along with a whistle.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy has warned its citizens to be careful, because although mass rallies have been generally peaceful over the past few months, there have still been some deaths and injuries.

Risk of violence

"Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational, and escalate into violence without warning," the US Embassy warned.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee plans to set up rally sites at several major intersections in Bangkok and significant areas, namely Asok, Pathum Wan, Lumpini, Victory Monument, Ratchaprasong, Lat Phrao and the Government Complex at Chaeng Wattana.

Protests might erupt in other areas with little prior notice and subsequent events are unpredictable as protest leaders have declared that they plan to continue rallying after Monday, the embassy said.

"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 US Embassy said.

The Foreign Ministry said yesterday that as many as 45 countries had issued warnings for their citizens to stay away from large crowds, rally sites and avoid travelling during the shutdown.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have even advised their citizens to cancel travel plans for the time being, ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said, adding that this may affect the medical industry as people from the Middle East often come to Thailand for treatment.

This comes after Thailand recently began offering citizens from these two countries visa-free entry for 90 days, he said.

Citizens from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Russia and Oman, for whom Thailand is a favourite destination, have also been advised to stay away.


-- The Nation 2014-01-11

[CraigSchuler]

Now lets see those tourism numbers again!

[Jack Mountain]

Maybe an alcohol ban in BKK will keep those hotheads a bit cooler ...

[smokie36]

Maybe an alcohol ban in BKK will keep those hotheads a bit cooler ...

I wouldn't vote for you!

[Showbags]

Thailands so special...

[davetrout]

Maybe an alcohol ban in BKK will keep those hotheads a bit cooler ...

blasphemy

[Gsxrnz]

Maybe an alcohol ban in BKK will keep those hotheads a bit cooler ...

blasphemy

Worse!.......Heresy!!!

[Sunisalom]

And the good old British Embassy official website - as of today - 11/01/2014:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand

Still warning about Preah Vihea temple ...

-mel.

[affen02]

Not looking forward to this, sad times

[Scamper]

I wonder if they're the same countries that Surapong insisted thought this election was a good idea.

[sz1a]

I'm landing on the 15th, they better not shut down the airport until after that. I'll have to post on sutheps Facebook page otherwise.

[Sunisalom]

I'm landing on the 15th, they better not shut down the airport until after that. I'll have to post on sutheps Facebook page otherwise.

Don't worry. They know you're coming. They're waiting until 16th now.

-mel.

[crazykopite]

Monday will be a very sad day for the people of Thailand two factions at war against each other all down to one nutcase who thinks he can rule the world. Adolph Hitler thought the same and look what happened to him however millions of lives were lost trying to rid him. I for one hope the good people of Thailand will take heed from the king when he urges all Thais to live in peace with their neighbours and that Mondays demonstrations will be a total washout for everyone's sake. One death is one to many but sadly we all know that Monday could be a very very bad day for this beautiful country and it's people.

[DocN]

Advisories!

Not warnings, <deleted>!

It is a difference!

[Ulic]

Prudence and common sense by foreign countries.

[thhMan]

If the protestors dont screw up a tourists holiday, you can bet the taxis, street vendors and attractions will

[Donnie Brasco]

These embassy travel advisories are just the cocktail crowd in their Due Dilligence mode.

Tour groups from outside Thailand or any other trouble-spot for that matter, cancel out of fear of being sued in their home countries.

There's loads of independent travellers all over the place who will arrive, get a sunburn, drink themselves into a stupor, fall in lurve, find a rascal to sponsor, book a resort, stay in an hotel and/or play golf without a care in the world.

Some would actually come to Thailand to see what all the fuss was about.

[Somtamnication]

Now lets see those tourism numbers again!

I can assure you that prices will go up and numbers will be, shall we say, voodoo'ed in.

[bigbamboo]

If the Omani tourists don't come to Thailand that could be the final straw.

[razer]

Kuwait and the UAE have never been supporters or allies of Thailand and their citizens get visa free 90 day entry? What about the citizens of the UK, the EU and USA who have always supported Thailand?

[Greenhill]

Kuwait and the UAE have never been supporters or allies of Thailand and their citizens get visa free 90 day entry? What about the citizens of the UK, the EU and USA who have always supported Thailand?

The UK, EU & USA are not rich these days - Kuwait & UAE are!!! Hope that answers you question!!!!

[Costas2008]

"For information, the red and yellow colours are closely identified with some of the parties involved,"

Nothing mentioned about Black......I would me more scared of them

Edited January 11, 2014 by Costas2008

[alex8912]

Now that its 45 countries seems like most people shut up!!!

[Publicus]

The U.S. Embassy issued its warning because the US has a lot of laws regarding liability and personal safety that many other countries, such as Oman for instance, don't have. So the US Embassy was quick to issue advisories to citizens, which also put the tour companies on notice, resulting in many tours being cancelled, which is to be anticipated.

Even governments where personal safety and liability laws are weak are advising their citizens to be careful travelling to or in Thailand.

That independent tourists will come to Thailand anyway is true as has been pointed out already at this thread and that of course is up to them.

Waivers of tour group liability laws does not comfort tour companies that don't want the publicity of their company name associated with some unfortunate incident the Thai Army couldn't prevent or in fact causes to occur.

[Ricardo]

If the Omani tourists don't come to Thailand that could be the final straw.

Are there that omani of them, then ?

[sjjmmi]

Only 45 LOL

Edited January 11, 2014 by sjjmmi

[fish fingers]

I'm landing on the 15th, they better not shut down the airport until after that. I'll have to post on sutheps Facebook page otherwise.

more likely to have a flight cancellation

[Gweiloman]

Kuwait and the UAE have never been supporters or allies of Thailand and their citizens get visa free 90 day entry? What about the citizens of the UK, the EU and USA who have always supported Thailand?

Thais don't get visa free entry to UK, EU or US.

[mrtoad]

Now that its 45 countries seems like most people shut up!!!

Have they?

You live in a paranoid world, probably not even in Thailand. Embassies have to issue these statements purely to cover their own ass.

Stay away from the protest spots, and you will not even know what is happening. Life goes on.

[sjjmmi]

I'm landing on the 15th, they better not shut down the airport until after that. I'll have to post on sutheps Facebook page otherwise.

more likely to have a flight cancellation

Shut down the trains, Buses, Roads and the hotels, Welcome to Thailand