http://www.tatnews.org/curfew-may-be...tourist-areas/
Curfew may be lifted in major tourist areas
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is considering whether to lift the curfew in major tourist destinations such as Phuket, Ko Samui and Pattaya next week, according to local media reports. The move came after the council shortened the curfew time from seven hours (22.00-05.00 hrs.) to five (00.01-04.00 hrs.) as of yesterday.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is monitoring the situation and will be providing updates as soon as the information has been confirmed by the NCPO.
It should be stressed that the nationwide curfew has hardly stopped travellers from enjoying their times in Thailand. Tourists can continue to enjoy the kingdomтАЩs wide variety of attractions, ranging from unique culture, abundant natural beauty and remarkable variety of activities, including soft adventure, spa, shopping and medical tourism, as well as year-round unique celebrations and festivals.
TouristsтАЩ travelling schedules are also hardly affected by either the previous or new curfew time as all airports remain open and the NCPO allows air passengers with arrival and departure flights scheduled during curfew to travel to and from the airports at any time as usual.
Transport
All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways тАУ Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai тАУ are operating as per normal. Airlines also continue to operate incoming and outgoing flights as per normal, but flight times may be adjusted. Travellers are advised to check with their respective airlines before travelling.
Other modes of transport, by road, rail and waterway, are also operating as per normal throughout Thailand but operating hours have been adjusted to comply with the curfew i.e. the BTS Skytrain and MRT Subway systems in Bangkok are now operating from 06.00 тАУ 23.00 hrs.
Tourism-related businesses and services
Throughout Thailand, all tourism-related businesses and services (hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, as well as banks, petrol and gas stations) are open and operating as per normal. Telephone and internet services continue to be available 24 hours. Curfew is widely observed by night-time entertainment venues.
In popular tourist destinations including Ko Samui, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Krabi, all tourism-related businesses and services are operating as per normal. There is hardly any military presence in these major beach destinations.
In Bangkok, a sense of normality has returned to all areas. However, there is some military presence on BangkokтАЩs streets, as well as at some provinces in the North and Northeast, as a measure to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting violence, but this hardly has any impact on daily schedules of the Thai people or tourists.
Info for international visitors entering Bangkok during curfew
The following measures are prepared for travellers travelling to Bangkok and the immediate vicinity:
тАвIndividual travellers тАУ both tourists and foreign residents тАУ are advised to keep their passports and other travel documents handy at all times, in case they are required for inspection by security officers.
тАвGroup travellers on tour coaches, accompanied by a tour guide or tour leader, are allowed to pass through the checkpoints without any worry.
тАвTaxi 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 тАУ 7,000 authorised taxis with Suvarnabhumi Airport stickers displayed on the front windscreen. Security checkpoint officers will allow access for these vehicles.
тАвAny 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.
тАвThe shuttle bus service between Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports are operating as per normal.
тАвFor more information, contact Survarnabhumi Airport Call Centre Tel: 1722.
Visa and checkpoints
Tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual.
All international checkpoints тАУ airports, border checkpoints and sea ports тАУ are open and operating as per normal. However, there may be a strong security presence at certain border checkpoints.
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Originally Posted by paulosussex
