Thailand PM: 'Situation in Bangkok is under control'

By Joanna Tweedy

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva addresses the country after the military gained control of Bangkok


After one of the worst week's of political violence in the country's history, Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has moved to reassure that the situation in Bangkok is now under control.

The Thai capital has seen more than 50 deaths in the last seven days as the military has battled Red Shirts, many from rural Thailand, who have been camping in the city since March in protest at Mr Abhisit's rise to power.

Speaking in English and Thai in a televised address, Mr Abhisit said his government now faced 'huge challenges', 'particularly the challenge of overcoming the divisions that have occurred in this country'.

A curfew will remain in place in Bangkok from 21:00 to 05:00 until the morning of 23rd May. Travellers in the city will be able to travel to and from Suvarnabhumi airport, the city's international hub, during the curfew provided they show passports and travel documents at checkpoints.

The Foreign Office advice for travellers remains unchanged with British citizens warned against 'all but essential travel' to Bangkok and specific areas elsewhere in Thailand. Information on the FCO website updated today states: 'The situation is highly unpredictable and further acts of violence are likely'.

Tourism has become the country's lifeblood since long haul travel opened up the country to visitors in the seventies. Known as the 'land of smiles', the country welcomes around 14million tourists from overseas every year.

And although the Red Shirts protests have largely been limited to the capital the impact on tourism is expected to be far reaching.


Red Shirt protesters pack up belongings and head back to their homes in rural Thailand


Travel search site Skyscanner is reporting a 41 per cent drop in flight searches to Bangkok.

Barry Smith, the company's co-founder said: 'It has taken some time for the situation to have a serious impact on Thailand's popularity in our search rankings - despite the FCO advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok since last month, our data at the end of April showed that tourists weren't being put off flying to the Thai capital.

'However, the ongoing protest and increasing violence, which has seen at least 74 people killed and a British journalist shot, is now causing a serious drop in Bangkok's popularity.'

Smith added that the drop may be short-lived with countries typically recovering from political strife fairly quickly.

Many of the protesters have now been transported by bus back to their homes in Thailand's rural provinces.


source: dailymail