This warden message is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand that demonstrations in the area near Government House in Bangkok have turned violent. One demonstrator has been killed and others injured.
On Tuesday morning, September 2, Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok following the street violence that occurred overnight between anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters and the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The fighting resulted in one death and over 30 people injured. Unarmed Royal Thai Police and Military were able to separate the two parties and restore peace by early morning. The state of emergency gives the government additional powers, which are intended to bring a peaceful end to the demonstration.
News reports also indicate that various railway, bus, utility, and airline workers may go on strike September 3 in sympathy with PAD protesters, possibly causing delays and outages. If you will be flying within or from Thailand, we recommend that you contact the airline and reconfirm your flight.
The government has announced that Thai government schools in Bangkok will be closed for the next three days. Media report that some schools around the Government House area closed at noon September 2, but we do not know the extent of school closings. If you think that your child’s school may be affected, please call your school directly for updated information.
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 if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.
The Embassy remains open with no interruption of consular services. 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.