THAILAND IS NOW BACK TO NORMAL AND WELCOMING TOURISTS WITH BIG DISCOUNTS FROM HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND SHOPPING MALLS!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Sawatdi khrap from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

It is with great pleasure that we witness Thailand returning to normal following the coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), currently overseeing the country’s administration after several months of continuous protests in certain parts of Bangkok. 

It is in fact safe to travel in Bangkok as is always the case.

While the curfew remains in place from 00.00 – 04.00 hours in Bangkok and most parts of Thailand, most local businesses, shops and restaurants have adjusted their opening times so that people can make use of their services.

Nighttime curfew had been lifted in three of Thailand’s key tourist areas, that is Koh Samui, Pattaya and Phuket from June 3, 2014. This is expected to be followed by other tourist areas in the country. The curfew was imposed nationwide on 22 May 2014 to ensure the safety of everyone during the current political transition period for the kingdom, and the uncertainly that this may entail.

However, tourists and travellers who need to travel to and from international airports can travel when necessary. All airports remain open and airlines continue to operate flights to Thailand as normal.

Basically this means that Thailand is ever ready to welcome tourists with open arms and most things remain the same. We want to assure all tourists visiting the kingdom that tourism remains unaffected since the country was placed under the administration of the NCPO on 22 May 2014.

In fact there could be no better time to travel to Thailand than now, with hotels, shopping complexes and spas offering all kinds of promotions and discounts. This would soon co-incide with the Amazing Thailand Grand Sale from June 15-August 15, whereby participating outlets all over the country are offering up to 80 per cent discounts on selected items.

Additionally, the following measures are prepared for travellers to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:

·         Individual travellers – both tourists and foreign residents - are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents handy at all times, in case they are required for inspection by security officers.

·         Group travellers on tour coaches, accompanied by a tour guide or tour leader, are allowed to pass through the checkpoints without any worry.

·         Taxi services at Suvarnabhumi Airport are available 24 hours at the Platform of the Passenger Terminal on the 1st Floor, Gates 4 and 7.  There are 6,000 – 7,000 authorised taxis with Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.

·         Any passenger who cannot find a mean of transport out of Suvarnabhumi Airport during curfew may use the facilities available at the CIP Lounges, located on the 3rd floor of the Passenger Terminal.

·         The shuttle bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are operating as per normal.

·         For more information, contact Survarnabhumi Airport Call Centre Tel: 1722.

Tourists visiting Thailand can contact the following numbers for further information and assistance:

TAT Call Centre 1672

Tourist Police Call Centre 1155

Traffic Police Call Centre 1197

BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348

BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000

MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200

SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690

Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490

AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722

Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111

Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771

Nok Air Call Centre 1318

Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999

The TAT is also providing daily updates on the country’s tourism situation on our Newsroom website: www.tatnews.org and our local Facebook page www.facebook.com/tat.kualalumpur.