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Thailand
today awakes in a 'severe state of emergency' and martial law following the
military coup which
happened overnight. This is the
country's first coup in 15 years and last night's events will come as a
shock to many.
At
press time, the streets of Bangkok were calm, even quiet. For most,
Wednesday has been declared a holiday, and for others it is just another day at work. Satelite/cable Television had been blocked all
night leaving Thai's and the many foreigners currently in Thailand to
rely on the Internet for the latest developments. (Update - at 14:00
Thailand time - now all cable/satellite channels which were blocked are
now back online. This includes the International news channels such as the BBC, CNN, CNBC,
Bloomberg, TV5 etc, which while back online, are being censored when
news of Thaksin is featured).
Governments
around the world are advising their citizens to avoid moving around the city.
For those that intend to travel to, or are currently in Thailand, they should monitor all available information on the situation and keep in contact with
their tour operator where applicable.
All
demonstrations and large crowds should be avoided and movements around government buildings in Bangkok and in public
should be restricted until the situation becomes clearer.
We
have not heard from any airline's about flight cancellations, nor
any adverse affects this very serious situation has had on travellers
arriving, leaving or travelling around Thailand. However we are
beginning to receive reports of large numbers of cancellations from tour
operators, and FIT's, who have decided to see how the situation
progresses, rather than travel to Thailand as originally planned.
More,
from a travel (non-political) perspective, as we learn of it.....
See
also: Thailand Coup 2006: Thursday Tourism Update,
See
pictures from Bangkok the morning after the coup.
See
other recent news regarding:
Airlines,
Bangkok,
Thailand
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