Thailand Travel Update

The Foreign Office advice has been updated to 'ALL BUT ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TO THAILAND'

FCO Travel Summary:

• We advise against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand due to the increasingly volatile and tense political situation.  Violent incidents of an unpredictable nature are occurring in many parts of Thailand.
• In the early hours of 27 April, substantial numbers of troops deployed in Central Bangkok.   On 26/27 April there were at least eight incidents in various parts of Thailand involving protestors setting up barricades, in some instances leading to clashes with the security forces.
• In the last week, protests and violent incidents have taken place in other parts of Thailand including popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayuthaya and other locations.  (See Terrorism/Security section for further details).
• We advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area, due to violence in the area.  See the Local Travel section of this Travel Advice.
• If you are already in Thailand, you should consider whether it is essential for you to travel within the city of Bangkok.  Wherever possible, you should take transport services which do not involve transiting the centre of Bangkok.  If travelling from outside Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi airport, you should be aware that all rail services and some coach services involve passing through central Bangkok (all air services and some coach services do not).  There have been a number of instances of major roads being blockaded by protest groups.
• If violence breaks out near where you are staying you should stay indoors, monitor the media and regularly check FCO Travel Advice.  We advise extra vigilance at night when the majority of violent incidents have occured.  Leaders of protest groups have made clear threats of further violence across Thailand.  You should stay in close contact with your tour operator, if you have one, who may be able to advise you on the implications of this advice for their operations.
• Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal.  The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open.  For advice about travelling abroad see the local Travel section.  FCO advice against all but essential travel does not apply to passengers transiting Bangkok airport on their way to foreign destinations