We continue to run tours and transfers from hotels on our safe list with only minor disruption to a

The Thai general elections canada airline tickets were held across the country on Sunday. In general there were no major disturbances and the election day passed relatively peacefully canada airline tickets even if there were reports of clashes at a few polling stations in the outer areas of Bangkok. Exotissimo was able to operate all tours and transfers in Bangkok safely and ‘as normal’ over the weekend and we expect to be able to operate all services this week with only slight adjustments to avoid protest sites.
Today the People s Democratic Reform Committee protestors have packed up 2 of their 7 stages, the sites in Lad Phrao and Victory canada airline tickets Monument have been cleared since this afternoon and traffic has now returned to normal in those areas.  Protests at the other sites in Bangkok are continuing and the PDRC have vowed to continue with their campaign, however the protest numbers canada airline tickets are noticeably reduced and life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual with only slight disruption if any.
All major tourist canada airline tickets attractions, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open as usual. canada airline tickets Tourists canada airline tickets can visit all attractions using the usual means of transport, including, cars, taxis, the Skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service. All businesses are open and operating normally canada airline tickets although some shopping venues in the rally areas have changed their opening hours. All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.
It remains safe to travel to Bangkok and we continue operating tours and transfers in and around the city as normal with only slight disruption to avoid protest sites. We advise all travelers to avoid the demonstration sites but Bangkok is a large city so it still possible to visit with minimal disruption from the protests. Exotissimo Thailand continues to monitor the situation closely and will continue to send you regular updates.
As Thailand is counting down to the general election scheduled this Sunday (2 February 2014), the anti-government demonstrators continue to campaign for a national reform with their usual daily marches canada airline tickets and rallies at the protest sites located canada airline tickets in the city. As of today all the protests continue to remain peaceful and unchallenged canada airline tickets by the authorities despite a declared canada airline tickets state of emergency in some parts of Bangkok and Samut Prakan.
There is currently canada airline tickets no curfew in place in Bangkok or any other parts of Thailand. Local residents and tourists canada airline tickets can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual. Traffic in the most parts of Bangkok is also moving normally since all other roads and expressways are not affected by the demonstrations. The protest sites in Silom, Asoke and Ratchaprasong remain peaceful, are partially closed to traffic and have become virtual “walking streets” canada airline tickets where locals as well as foreigners can be seen wandering without harassment or any apparent danger. The protest leaders are urging the public not to vote on Sunday and have announced that several well-known singers and musicians canada airline tickets will be putting on live performances over the weekend and it is expected there will be a large number of people at the protest sites.
It is unclear what will happen on the day of the election. There is speculation that some elements of the protest groups may try and obstruct election stations even if the protest leaders have announced they will not do anything to stop people voting. It is likely there will be a heavier police canada airline tickets presence canada airline tickets but we cannot predict whether there will be any violence or not.
In Bangkok the main demonstration sites continue to be at six downtown intersections : Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Silom (Lumpini Park), Latphrao, Asoke and the Victory Monument roundabout canada airline tickets and also at the Government Complex on Chaeng canada airline tickets Wattana Road, Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Chamai Maruchet Bridge on Phitsanulok canada airline tickets Road.
While the demonstrations are taking place in the central Bangkok areas, canada airline tickets life in the most parts of the Thai capital and throughout Thailand continues as usual and we expect to operate all tours outside Bangkok as normal.
Exotissimo will continue canada airline tickets operating tours in Bangkok as we have done so throughout this current canada airline tickets period canada airline tickets of protesting and will avoid all protest sites and any areas close to election stations. As most tourist sites are well away from such areas our clients have not experienced any inconveniences so far.  Our priority is the safety and security of all Exotissimo canada airline tickets clients and we will ensure all clients are kept well informed and away from any sign of danger. As a precaution canada airline tickets we will have prepared back-up plans for all tours and transfers operating this weekend and if necessary are ready to make any changes to itineraries or touring schedules.
Thailand is counting down to the general election canada airline tickets scheduled this Sunday, 2 February 2014. The anti-government demonstrators continue their campaign with crowds gathering at the 7 main sites in central Bangkok and groups of protestors marching in a peaceful manner between the protest sites.
There is not much update since yesterday, for the rest of Bangkok it’s life as usual. Traffic in most parts of Bangkok is moving normally as all other roads and expressways canada airline tickets are unaffected by the demonstrations. All major tourist attractions, including canada airline tickets the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn, are open as usual. Tourists can visit all attractions using the usual means of transport, including, cars, taxis, the Skytrain, the subway or the boat and ferry service. All businesses are open and operating normally although some shopping venues in the rally areas have changed their opening hours. All airports in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal.
It remains canada airline tickets safe to travel to Bangkok and we continue operating tours and transfers in and around the city as normal with only slight disruption to avoid protest canada airline tickets sites. We advise all travelers to avoid the demonstration sites but Bangkok is a large city so it still possible to visit with minimal disruption from the protests. Exotissimo Thailand continues to monitor the situation closely and will send you regular updates.
Yesterday the protestors in the area around Hua Lamphong were cleared making canada airline tickets this area now safe and easy to visit. Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s main railway station, has easy access canada airline tickets to the elevated expressway so clients arriving or departing by overland train will not have any issues accessing the rest of the city and airports. In addition, there is now a group of student protestors around the Wat Saket area so we now avoid this area. Please canada airline tickets see our updated map below highlighting the red zones.
The Thai Constitutional Court is today hearing canada airline tickets a case that will decide whether the Government or the Election Commission has the power to postpone the election that’s scheduled for February 2. The Election Commission are pushing for the poll to be delayed canada airline tickets due to the unrest canada airline tickets in Bangkok but the Government is saying they have no authority to postpone canada airline tickets the election. The court is expected to issue a ruling of the case today but at time of sending this email there has been no decision.
It remains safe to travel to Bangkok but we advise all visitors to stay away from demonstration sites and only visit locations that are marked in our safe areas. Many hotels in Bangkok and surrounding areas like Hua Hin are now offering some attractive deals to entice guests back to their hotels. Should your clients choose to visit Bangkok at this time, please contact our reservation staff who will assist you in securing the best promotional deals.
There is not much change since yesterday with protests canada airline tickets still happening in the 7 major sites around the city. During the day the protest sites are mostly empty with a only a few protesters canada airline tickets marching through streets to gather support, in the evenings the crowds gather with performances and speeches on the stages. The election date remains on 2 February and so far the government has not taken any action to enforce the emergency decree. For the rest of Bangkok canada airline tickets life continues as normal with only slight disruption to traffic flow and opening hours in shopping malls.
Today we ran all tours and transfers from hotels canada airline tickets in the safe areas with only minor disruption to avoid protest sites. It remains safe to travel to Bangkok and we still receive news of Bangkok visitors arriving, sightseeing and leaving again without seeing canada airline tickets a protestor and with no disruption to their schedules. Although the protests canada airline tickets are not targeting tourists, some visitors may be interested to see the action of the protests for themselves, we advise all visitors to stay away from demonstration sites and only visit locations that are marked in our safe areas. Elsewhere in Thailand remains calm and safe to visit.
Last night the Thai Government enacted a 60-day State of Emergency decree in an effort to rein in the anti-government demonstrators who are intent on disrupting the 2 February snap election. canada airline tickets The state of emergency means that the Thai authorities can impose curfews, ban public gatherings of more than five people and declare certain areas off-limits. But officials insist they will not use the declaration to attempt removal of anti-government protesters from the sites they have been occupying in Bangkok.
The state of emergency takes effect from today, Wednesday 22  Jan. The Government appear to have taken this action to minimize escalation of the situation ahead of upcoming elections, however it is unclear at this stage what effect, if any, this will have on the situation. Most local commentators canada airline tickets seem to believe there will be no immediate escalation canada airline tickets in policing and security around the protest sites and it is unlikely the government will start moving against protestors as long as they remain peaceful, however the period around the election may see an increase in tension.
We continue to run tours and transfers from hotels on our safe list with only minor disruption to a