Thailand declares martial law | Tourism Authority of Thailand: Normal sightseeing in Bangkok, avoid going out at night

▲ Night view of Bangkok, Thailand (Photo / Reproduced fromthe official fan page of the Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Thai military has declared martial law. On the 20th, the Tourism Authority of Thailand stated that current commercial and tourism activities in Bangkok are unaffected by the martial law, and public transportation is operating normally. However, travelers are advised to avoid protest sites. The Taipei Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that independent travelers can avoid safety concerns by steering clear of the Democracy Monument and the Parliament House, where yellow-shirt protesters gather, as well as the western suburbs of Bangkok, where red-shirt protesters congregate. The Tourism Authority of Thailand also recommends avoiding outdoor activities at night.

Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the implementation of martial law nationwide at 6:30 a.m. Bangkok time today, taking effect from 3:00 a.m. this morning.

The Taipei Office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand stated that the martial law in Thailand is aimed at stabilizing the current situation and restricting gatherings in specific areas to prevent protests from escalating. Currently, all commercial activities, shopping malls, banks, government agencies, mass rapid transit systems, airports, and tourist attractions in Bangkok are operating normally.

The Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that the current travel advisory level for Thailand remains “Yellow,” advising travelers to stay vigilant and reconsider their travel plans. Travelers wishing to cancel their trips may apply for refunds in accordance with Article 27 of the Standardized Outbound Travel Contract.

According to the Travel Agent Association of the Republic of China, since large-scale anti-government protests and demonstrations began in Thailand in January this year, the number of Taiwanese tourists traveling to Thailand has dropped significantly, with group tours decreasing by nearly 60%. Tourism Bureau statistics show that between January and March this year, 83,000 people traveled to Thailand, a 27% decrease compared to 114,000 during the same period last year. (News source: Central News Agency)