Travel Blackboard
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Clashes between red-shirted anti-government protestors and government troops in Thailand’s capital have already left more than a hundred injured, and resulted in the government once again imposing a “state of emergency” on Bangkok.
Australian travellers already in Bangkok are being warned to stay away from protestors and protest hotspots, and Australians thinking of travelling there are being advised to “reconsider” their plans.
“The Australian Government is deeply concerned at developments in Thailand,” said Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, in a press conference yesterday.
“At this stage... we have no evidence of any Australians being caught up in these demonstrations or in the violence.”
“We urge Australians not in Bangkok to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok,” he adds. “Those Australians who are in Bangkok, we urge them to stay within their homes or their hotels, to certainly avoid demonstrations, and to certainly avoid large gatherings of people.”
This time round, to avoid a takeover at the airports, the government has already sent troops to reinforce security at the nation’s major transport hubs. Despite these actions most airlines are allowing travellers to postpone or cancel plans without cancellation fees, even though services are operating as per normal.
Late last year, the two major airports in Bangkok were closed for a week after anti-government protestors overwhelmed security forces and set up camp inside the terminals.
In what is another hit to the local tourism industry, the clashes coincide with the close of the peak travel period in Thailand, as well as the nation’s New Year festivities.
Early estimates have predicted that the resonating effects from these protests, combined with the shutdown of airports late last year, will slash a third of the country’s tourism income for 2009.
After imposing the state of emergency on Sunday, scuffles between the police and protestors escalated to high levels of violence on Monday, with numerous attacks around the city in places like Government House.
Anti-government protestors, or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, believe that the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, rose to power illegitimately, and are supporters of the previously ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Clashes between red-shirted anti-government protestors and government troops in Thailand’s capital have already left more than a hundred injured, and resulted in the government once again imposing a “state of emergency” on Bangkok.
Australian travellers already in Bangkok are being warned to stay away from protestors and protest hotspots, and Australians thinking of travelling there are being advised to “reconsider” their plans.
“The Australian Government is deeply concerned at developments in Thailand,” said Stephen Smith, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister, in a press conference yesterday.
“At this stage... we have no evidence of any Australians being caught up in these demonstrations or in the violence.”
“We urge Australians not in Bangkok to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok,” he adds. “Those Australians who are in Bangkok, we urge them to stay within their homes or their hotels, to certainly avoid demonstrations, and to certainly avoid large gatherings of people.”
This time round, to avoid a takeover at the airports, the government has already sent troops to reinforce security at the nation’s major transport hubs. Despite these actions most airlines are allowing travellers to postpone or cancel plans without cancellation fees, even though services are operating as per normal.
Late last year, the two major airports in Bangkok were closed for a week after anti-government protestors overwhelmed security forces and set up camp inside the terminals.
In what is another hit to the local tourism industry, the clashes coincide with the close of the peak travel period in Thailand, as well as the nation’s New Year festivities.
Early estimates have predicted that the resonating effects from these protests, combined with the shutdown of airports late last year, will slash a third of the country’s tourism income for 2009.
After imposing the state of emergency on Sunday, scuffles between the police and protestors escalated to high levels of violence on Monday, with numerous attacks around the city in places like Government House.
Anti-government protestors, or the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, believe that the current Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, rose to power illegitimately, and are supporters of the previously ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.
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