Travel Security Online

Thailand: Military declares martial law

Special Advisory - Thailand: Military declares martial law; minimise movement until situation
clarifies
The military has declared martial law across the country early on 20 May. Reports indicate that soldiers
have begun securing television stations, including in the capital Bangkok. Military officials announced that
the action was not a coup against the government. Details are emerging.
Travel Advice

Personnel should minimise movement in Bangkok until the situation clarifies.

Monitor our travel security alerts for further information.

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Special Advisory - Thailand: Minimise movement in central Bangkok after army declares
countrywide martial law (Revised 20 May)
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha declared martial law throughout Thailand from 03.00 (local time) on
20 May. However, reports indicate that a coup has not taken place; the army has not removed acting
caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan or his cabinet. The streets of the capital
Bangkok remain calm amid a heavy security force deployment.
Travel to Thailand, including Bangkok, can continue. However, personnel are advised to minimise
movement in central Bangkok while the situation remains fluid.
Travel Briefing
Soldiers and tanks have secured strategic positions within Bangkok, including television and radio
stations, protest sites and major intersections; this is causing increased traffic congestion. However, the
routes to and from Bangkok's Don Muang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK) international airports are open
and flights have not been disrupted. There is no indication as yet that government offices, commercial
establishments, banks or schools will be closed on 20 May; information is still emerging.
Anti-government rallies planned for 20 May have been cancelled, though protesters remain encamped on
Ratchadamnoen Nok road, near Government House. The pro-government United Front for Democracy
against Dictatorship (commonly known as the Red Shirts') group is encamped at Thanon Utthayan (also
known as Aksa Road), in Thawi Wattana district, on the western outskirts of Bangkok. Martial law gives
the military power to prohibit public gatherings; soldiers may move to disperse protest camps in the
coming hours. We are continuing to monitor developments via our Assistance Centre in Bangkok and
through our dedicated in-country security personnel, and are regularly reassessing the situation.
Martial law
Among other things, the imposition of martial law gives the military power to prohibit public gatherings;
use arms to suppress unrest; enforce curfews and restrictions on movement; censor information; and
arrest and detain suspects for seven days. It can only be lifted by royal decree.

Background
Martial law comes in the wake of several months of anti-government protests in Bangkok, which were
expected to intensify this week; protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban had pledged a final major uprising' to
force the resignation of caretaker cabinet members. Elections are scheduled for 20 July, though are likely
to be postponed; a royal endorsement by 22 May is a prerequisite for the polls to proceed as planned.
Travel Advice Summary

Travel to Thailand, including Bangkok, can continue. However, personnel are advised to minimise
movement in central Bangkok while the situation remains fluid.

Managers with local offices in central Bangkok should review business continuity plans and, as
required, allow staff to work from home.

Avoid the vicinity of known protest sites, particularly on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Thanon
Utthayan in Bangkok.

Avoid sensitive locations such as television stations and government and security force buildings
in Bangkok.

Expect but do not be alarmed by increased security force presence in Bangkok.

Travellers are advised to consider travel by Skytrain over road travel within Bangkok.

It is advisable to use the Airport Rail Link for Suvarnabhumi airport, and the Skytrain for Don
Muang airport.

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Special Advisory - Thailand: Minimise movement in Bangkok, monitor developments closely as
army declares coup after talks fail
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on 22 May declared a coup in a television broadcast, claiming that
the Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) had seized control from the government to prevent
further loss of life and avoid an intensification of the conflict.
Reports indicate that the measure was announced after talks, mediated by Prayuth, between
representatives from the government, Senate, Election Commission, the pro-government United Front for
Democracy against Dictatorship (Red Shirts') and the anti-government People's Democratic Reform
Committee (PDRC), failed at around 16.20 (local time).
Representatives from the aforementioned groups, excluding the Senate and Election Commission
members, were subsequently taken away in a military truck. Army officials also stated that troops have
been deployed to escort anti-government activists away from their protest sites in the capital Bangkok.
Travel Advice

Minimise all movement in Bangkok while the Red Shirts' response to the coup remains unclear.
Violent pro-government protests remain possible.

Expect heightened security measures, including road closures, checkpoints and an increased
security force presence. Where travel within Bangkok is essential, allow additional time for
journeys and confirm routes are clear before setting out.

Stay abreast of and observe any potential curfew hours; be aware that these may change with
little or no notice.

Monitor our travel security alerts on Thailand for further updates.

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Special Advisory - Thailand: Defer non-essential travel to Bangkok following military coup
(Revised 12.53 GMT)
Personnel are advised to defer non-essential travel to the capital Bangkok after the country's army chief
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on 22 May declared a coup in a television broadcast, claiming that the Peace
and Order Maintaining Command (POMC) had seized control from the government to prevent further loss
of life and avoid an intensification of the conflict. The measure was announced after talks, mediated by
Prayuth, between representatives from the government, Senate, Election Commission, the progovernment United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (Red Shirts') and the anti-government
People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), failed at around 16.20 (local time).
A nationwide curfew has been imposed from 22.00 to 05.00 (local time). Due to this restriction, the BTS
and the Skytrain in the capital Bangkok will operate until 21.00 and local businesses will be open until
20.00. Initial reports indicate that troops have surrounded the anti-government protest site on
Ratchadamnoen Nok road, near Government House, as well as at the Red Shirts rallying site on Thanon
Utthayan (also known as Aksa Road), in Thawi Wattana district, on the city's western outskirts.
Travel Briefing
Heightened security measures can be expected around government and administrative buildings, as well
as television and radio stations. There has also been a noticeable increase in security force presence in
the vicinity of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport
(DMK); however, operations at both these facilities and travel between them and the city have not been
disrupted by the security measures, including the curfew. The authorities have also established
checkpoints and heavily restricted movement on several routes in the city, including Chaeng Wattana
Road; similar measures can be expected on key roads leading into Bangkok.
The immediate impact of creating a military-led interim government will be to end at least temporarily
the eight-month long campaign of anti government protests led by Suthep Thaugsuban, who is likely to
see the military intervention favourably. Furthermore, a heavy military presence nationwide, as well as a
likely endorsement of its latest move by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, will mitigate the potential for largescale or violent response by the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD,
commonly known as the Red Shirts') group; current reports indicate that Red Shirts activists gathered on
Aksa Road have begun to return to provinces in the north-east.
Outlook
The Red Shirts' response to the coup so far remains unclear and there is a potential for an increase in
protests by the group in response to the military intervention. The following developments could trigger a
large-scale mobilisation of Red Shirts activists:

The arrest of acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan

The detention of other senior members of the ruling Puea Thai (PT) party

A decision to dissolve the PT

Travel Advice Summary

Defer non-essential to Bangkok while the security situation remains fluid.

Minimise all movement in Bangkok while the Red Shirts' response to the coup remains unclear.
Violent pro-government protests remain possible. Avoid all gatherings because of the credible risk
of violence.

Expect heightened security measures, including road closures, checkpoints and an increased
security force presence. Where travel within Bangkok is essential, allow additional time for travel
and confirm routes are clear before commencing the journey.

The security forces will be on heightened alert at this time. Do not cross military or police cordons
without the express permission of the authorities and treat members of the security forces you
encounter with patience and respect. Carry photographic identification on your person and follow
all instructions.

Stay abreast of and observe curfew hours, which may change with little or no notice.

International flight connections and domestic transfers via Bangkok are still possible; travellers
should check for delays with their airlines before travelling.

Monitor developments closely via the international news media and local contacts prior to and
during your stay. Register with your embassy and ensure that you receive regular updates prior to
and during your visit.

Plan for temporary media and telecommunications blackouts.

Monitor our travel security alerts on Thailand to keep abreast of related developments