In 2013, I spent two to three months in Bangkok and consider it my “home” in Asia. Right now, I am watching the developments far away from the Society Islands.
The demonstration is now in their second day and the demonstrators have blocked seven major traffic intersections in central Bangkok.
Getting to the major malls (Siam Paragon, Central World, MBK, Gaysorn etc) and hotels (Renaissance, InterContinental, Grand Hyatt, St Regis etc) around the Ratchaprasong area could be a challenge and the shops maybe closed or close earlier than usual.
Thai Airways has canceled some flights and consolidated them to remaining ones. It also seems that the airline is downgrading some equipment to better meet lower demand. You can access Thai’s information about flight changes here.
The NY Times has a good piece on the latest developments and reasons behind these demonstrations that you can access here. You should also read Bangkok Post (website here ) and the Nation (website here). These are the two daily English newspapers in Thailand
Conclusion
I know that LoyaltyLobby has quite a few readers in the Bangkok area. Maybe you could comment on the latest developments?
The news reports that I have seen on the TV suggest that these demonstrations could go for weeks if not for months.
Shops around the affected area maybe closed but the major shopping stores run as usual but close early like 8pm. I do not hear that TG has down any downsizing.
TG has cancelled some flights and downsized planes on other routes. The link to TG’s website with all the info is above.
Dear John,
Reading through those schedule, I feel like they have somethings to do with aircraft shortage; not because of demonstration. Everything still runs as usual. None of my friend complained arriving or departing airports with problem.
//K
My friend was scheduled to fly BKK-HKG on A380 and he just received an email yesterday that the aircraft had been downgraded to 747. Obviously, Thai is optimizing the capacity. Makes no sense to fly A380 if it is going to be empty. Of course, those that book the flight to be on A380 are going to be pissed.
I am sorry to hear that ….. I just checked with my friends who work for TG, it is true recently like you said. Hope it would not affect for long.
As a BKK resident I recommend potential visitors to stay away from the city. If you like to visit Thailand then go to destinations like Chiang Mai, Koh Samui or Phuket and fly via Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur, not BKK Airport. While the demonstrations so far are relatively peaceful (though there were reports of people being pushed around while taking pictures), the people behind this are crazy radicals who have nothing to lose as they have already been charged with treason and insurrection. It’s just a matter of time until the fuse comes short and they escalate the situation. This so called shutdown has in fact not shut anything down, business goes on as usual and there is almost no difference to the previous demonstrations. Ok the traffic is disabled is some areas but that’s about it. The BTS and MRT Train system is still functioning properly. It is obvious that there will be some sort of escalation in the near future if one side does not get what it wants. The leading figures of the anti-government activists are likely trying to increasingly disable vital traffic structures including air traffic of bangkok. At that point latest the government will crack down on them via military or police which will undoubtedly result in casualties. So again, stay away from Bangkok. It’s not the immediate danger but rather the uncertainty of what will happen here. Being stranded in Bangkok for some time is not convenient if you have a job and family back home.
Well said.
I’ve been walking around the Siam area today and the streets are blocked but you can still get around – just not as easy with car. Yesterday (13/1) on the first day of the shutdown traffic was so light it was easy to get to my hotel from Hua Hin – there was no traffic.
The rally’s today seemed fairly peaceful, lots of smiles etc, so I haven’t been worried and I’m here with Mr 5 yr old.
I’m in the HI Silom right now and the area is much more quiet than usual. However, I don’t feel threatened at all. We are flying out tomorrow and are going to allow a little more time to get to BKK.
Should be quieter as most of the tourists are gone.
i stayed there last month (millenium hilton) and walked from the st regis to central or whatever it is called and suddenly i was in the middle of a protest in front of the royal thai police. was awkward but nothing happened. the protestors saw it more as a party.they bought some thai pins and flags on the street and when it was over went back to work. but those radicals behind can really ignite lots of bloodshed. what a pity for such a nice country