Bangkok Protests Ongoing and Bangkok International Airport Closed

The U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh issued the following Warden Message on November 28, 2008:

"The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok sent out a message on November 27 stating that American citizens travelling or living in Thailand should be aware that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has entered and forced the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in Bangkok. All incoming and outgoing flights have been cancelled.  We do not know when flights will resume. While the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok has conveyed its deep concern with these closures to the Thai authorities and remain hopeful that the airports will reopen in the near future, ultimately it is a situation that can only be resolved by those involved. The Embassy in Bangkok is urging the Foreign Ministry to provide appropriate compensation to stranded American travelers, but there are no details on this yet.

"These airport closures have, unfortunately, left a large number of Americans in Thailand unable to leave the country as planned.  It is unclear when normal flight operations will resume.  Americans in Thailand, or those with plans to travel to or transit Thailand, should monitor local media and contact airlines for the latest departure/arrival information.  The Embassy in Bangkok provided the following numbers which may be helpful for those who find themselves stranded by airport closures:

Tourist Aid Center +66-2-356-0720, +66-2-356-0729
ATTA (Association of Thai Travel Agents) +66-2-134-4263
Thai tourist police emergency line: +66-1155 Suvarnabhumi International Airport hotline: +66-2-132-1882, +66-2-132-1888
Suvarnabhumi International Airport flight inquiries: +66-2-132-0000, +66-2-132-9328-9
Don Muang Airport: +66-2-535-1669
Don Muang Flight inquiries: +66-2-535-1616
Tourism Authority of Thailand: +66-2-652-8313-4

"We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

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Bangkok International Airport Closed

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok released the following Warden Message on November 26, 2008:

"At this time, Suvarnabhumi International Airport has ceased all flight operations due to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest at the airport.  We advise Americans to stay away from the airport given the potential for violence and civil disobedience.  It is unclear at this time when normal flight operations will resume.  Please contact the airlines for the latest departure/arrival information.

 

We wish to remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations." 

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Updated Thailand Security Guidance Regarding Preah Vihear

The U.S. Embassy Bangkok released the following Warden Message on October 15, 2008:

"American citizens resident and traveling in Thailand should be aware of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border in the area of the Khao Phra Wihan temple, also called Preah Vihear.  This temple is located on the border region between Sisaket Province in Thailand and Preah Vihear Province in Cambodia.  Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in this area.  We recommend American citizens defer travel to this area until the situation has been resolved.  We also recommend that American citizens exercise caution if they must travel to this area or any area along the Thai-Cambodian border.

"The U.S. Embassy Bangkok released the following Warden Message on August 13, 2008: 

This message is to alert U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in the North and North East of Thailand that as of August 13, the Mekong River was above flood level and may cause flooding in several areas of Thailand along the Mekong River, including Chiang Rai, Nan, Loei, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon and Mukdahan.  There is related flooding in neighboring areas in Laos, including Luang Prabang and the city of Vientiane.

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American citizens are advised to avoid areas near the flooding and defer travel by boat on the Mekong River.  American citizens are further advised to monitor local conditions, keep apprised of official reports, and review their personal flood preparedness contingency plans.  The Thai Meteorological Department posts official updates at: http://www.tmd.go.th.

 

American Citizen Services (ACS) U.S. Embassy Bangkok, 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand Tel: 011 (66) (02) 205-4049 Fax: 011 (66) (02) 205-4103. American Citizen Services Unit Window Hours are Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

 

 

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Thailand Continued Political Turmoil
By JoAnne Green
October 8, 2008

On October 7, 2008, the U.S. Embassy Bangkok, Thailand issued the following Warden Message to alert U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that demonstrations by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)  in the area near the Parliament building in Bangkok turned violent early on October 7.  

"Media reports indicate that police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters to disperse a crowd that had surrounded the Parliament building overnight. By midday, protesters again gained control of the perimeter of the Parliament, clashing with police in the process. There are reports that about a hundred people have been injured. Many of these injuries appear to be related to tear gas inhalation. PAD demonstrators continue to congregate at the Parliament building and Government House," according to the Warden Message [AFP placed the number of injured at over 400.] 

"Police are investigating a vehicle explosion which occurred late afternoon October 7. It is unclear if it was related to the events around the Parliament.

 

"American citizens are advised that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

 

The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049. The after hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000." 

Travel Advisories

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs gives the following advice Australians who are traveling, working or living in Thailand: "Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas, organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy."

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office gives the following advice British people who are traveling, working or living in Thailand: "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. This should cover medical evacuation by air ambulance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake."

The Canadian Foreign Affairs Office gives the following advice to Canadians who are traveling, working or living in Thailand: "Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while abroad. Out-of-country healthcare can be costly, and your health plan will cover only part of the bill at best. It is your responsibility to obtain supplementary travel insurance and understand the terms of your policy. Some credit card companies offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume that coverage is automatically included or that the card alone provides adequate coverage."

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade gives the following advice to New Zealanders: "New Zealanders travelling or resident in Thailand should have comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies in place that include provision for medical evacuation by air."

The U.S. Department of State gives the following advice to Americans who are traveling, working or living in Thailand: "We strongly urge you to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation and overseas medical services. Please keep in mind that Medicare does not cover any illness or injury that occurs outside of the United States."

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