Warden Message
Demonstrations at Government House in Bangkok on Wednesday - April 8, 2009
This warden message alerts U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that perhaps as many as 100,000 or more protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (aka UDD or the “red shirts’) will congregate tomorrow, April 8, at Government House to again voice their displeasure with current government; they have announced they will march on Privy Council Chair Prem’s residence, located one kilometer away. Some sources predict that there may be violent confrontations between protestors and police and a similar red-shirt march on Prem’s residence in May 2007 turned violent. American citizens are encouraged to avoid the vicinity of Government House and the Dusit District in Bangkok.
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.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, and health-information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers in other areas by calling a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. 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 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. The after hours emergency telephone number is 66-2-205-4000.