Everything You Need to Know About the Bangkok Shutdown
CNN International: Richard Barrow, a full-time travel blogger based in Bangkok, is a top source for those seeking news about the protests as well as travel advice for tourists. He can be followed at Twitter.com/richardbarrow
UPDATE: The Bangkok Shutdown is over. Please click here for the latest updates.
Please read my latest tweets above before asking questions. Also check the map for latest updates on protest sites.
The Bangkok Shutdown is continuing into February now. As long as you stay away from rally sites and large gatherings you will be fine. The main rally sites affecting tourists are at Phathumwan (MBK), Ratchaprasong (Central World), Asoke (Terminal 21) and Sala Daeng (Silom). However, malls at all these locations have skybridge access from skytrain stations. All transport is running in Bangkok and airports are not under threat of closure. Elsewhere in Thailand is safe.
I don’t get paid to help tourists on twitter. If you would like to buy me a beer or make a donation, please use the form in the top left. Also, if you book your hotel on agoda by using this link, I get a small commission. It doesn’t affect your price. Thanks.
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Five Intersections and roads they closed from 13 January:
1. Phathumwan (Near MBK & Siam Square)
2. Ratchaprasong (Near Central World)
3. Sala Daeng (Near Lumpini Park & Silom)
4. Asoke Intersection (Near Terminal 21)
5. Chaeng Wattana
Ratchadamnoen Avenue near Government House still has rally sites and is marked as a danger zone on my map.
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If you are coming to Bangkok during this time you should be alright, but obviously you might find it difficult to get around during the shutdown. It will also be unpredictable. If this concerns you then maybe you should go to Chiang Mai or Phuket instead. Or at least move to one of the nearby seaside resorts like Pattaya or Hua Hin for a few days if things heat up. Follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow if you want to learn the full details as and when they are announced by the protest leaders. At the moment, I am spending 100% of my energy and time on reporting on the protests in Bangkok. I’ve quit my regular job to do this.
LATEST UPDATES and FAQ from TWITTER:
- Protesters at the rally sites Lad Prao & Victory Monument have moved to Lumpini. At the moment it looks like Chaeng Wattana will remain.
- The most dangerous rally sites are at Ratchadamnoen, Chaeng Wattana & Lumpini in that order. Safest at Asoke, Ratchaprasong & Phathumwan.
- As far as tourists are concerned, everything is open as normal. This includes tourist attractions, shopping malls, trains & airports.
- Even malls like MBK, Siam Center, Paragon, Terminal 21 & CentralWorld have safe access via skybridges & are now open until later at night.
- Stay away from rally sites & large gatherings in #Bangkok & you’ll be fine. Visiting them is like crossing the road without looking.
UPDATE: The Bangkok Shutdown is over. Please click here for the latest updates.
Hi Richard, I’ll be going bangkok in mid march and staying at Tenface at Soi Ruamrudee 2, Wireless Road. Is that area safe??
Wireless road is safe and has taxi access.
Hi …i just wondering..is the platinum mall still opening during the protest ?cause i’m going there in 2 day
yes it is
Hi!
Thanks for the update of the current situation but I would like to know if Terminal 21(BTS Asok) and Siam Center(BTS Siam) are not recommended to go to since I saw the map you made they’re in the danger zone.
Thanks in advance and I hope you’re safe too!
yes they are in the danger zones but they have skybridge access from the BTS stations
Hi richard,
Is hat yai near the malaysian border safe?
yes
Hi richard,
Is amari westgate hotel is save to stay and taxi can access?.. because planing to go the end of march..
Is novotel near BTS phleon chit is save to stay, what i have seen ur map it just a distance from rally side..just want to know izzit save..will be going on march
hi richard,
Is it save to go to Hat Yai near the Malaysian border? or phuket? Chiangmai? koh samui? krabi?
Yes of course.
Hi sir,
I will be stayin at novotel hotel near BTS Phloen Chit at the end of march which a few distance from rally site..Question: Izzit that hotel save to stay and any taxi access over there..?
BTS Ploenchit area is fine and has taxi access.
Hi Mr Richard , just want to know if Centre Point Pratunam hotel , 6 Soi 15, Petchuburi Road, Payatai,Rajtaevee Bangkook 10400, Thailand. i it safe for my friends and I to shop around the nearby shopping malls? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks
Yes it is but stay away from Pratunam Intersection.
Hi Richard,
Thank for your assistanc. My sister and i are arriving to BKK on March 7 and will stay until the 9th. Is Icheck Inn in Soi 11 Sukumvit a safe place to stay? Are there malls nearby? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Sukhumwit 11 is a safe area. I have marked malls on my map. did you look at it?
Hi Richard .. Wanted to know if it is safe to stay at grand Hyatt erawan bangkok . We will be there from 4th -9th march . Thnx
It’s right in the middle of a rally site.
Hi Richard thanks a lot for the update. I’ve seen that most of the transportation interchange is right in the middle of rally sites.
Could you please suggest if there’s safe route to change between mrt/bts/airport express, such as Asoke to Sukhumvit, Silom to Sala Daeng or Makkasan to Phetchaburi?
Thanks a lot
I would say it is safe.
Hi Richard, I’ve been following your blog & twitter closely as I will going to bkk on the 27th on thursday, just wanna check if Centara watergate pavillion area is safe? Thanks in advance!
Centara watergate pavillion is fine and has taxi access, but stay away from Pratunam intersection.
Hi Richard! Thanks for your updates and hardwork covering for us on Bangkok. My boyfriend and I are staying at the Eastin Grand Hotel in two weeks. Is that section safe & taxi has easy access? Its not FAR away from lumpini park.
Thanks! Mary
Eastin Grand Hotel looks safe and has taxi access.
Hi Richard,
This coming 11th mar will be going Bangkok and my flight will reach at Don Muang Airport.I stay in G9 hotel. Is it safe that i travel to hotel by bus from airport? On the other hands, is it ok that go shopping at terminal 21 and Platinum mall? Is it any link bridge from BTS to Platinum mall?
I suggest you do your homework first as there is no skytrain neat Platinum. I’m sorry, i don’t mean to be rude.
Hi Richard,
We will come to Bangkok on 10th of March and go to Pattaya until 10th of April… Is it safe or no?
Thanks for ur attention.
if you are street wise and can read a map then yes for sure.
Hi Richard,
Would like to check if lemontea hotel, pratunam area is safe and even platinium mall.
Also is it safe to visit the national musuem and khao san road., Chinatown too.
THanks
lemontea hotel looks fine and has taxi access but stay away from Pratunam intersection.
Hi Richard,
I’m staying 27-28 near BTS Saphantaksin
Will be going to Central Chaengwattana at 27 night
Is it safe around there?
Is it safe to take bus or taxi to those areas?
Thanks
By the river is fine. Why would you go all the way to Chaeng Wattana. Plenty of other Central department stores nearer.
Hi Richard Heading down to Hua Hin from BKK on Wednesday the 19th of March and returning on Friday the 21st. Can you please let me know what its the best way to get their and back and from were.
Thanks
take a bus from the southern bus terminal or a minivan from victory monument.
Dear Richard,
I am going to BKK end of March and stay there for 2 nights. I like to stay at Sofitel So . Do yu think this area is safe ? The other option would be Sofitel Sukhumvit. Which one would yu recommend at the moment ?
Thank you very much for your help
Aree
Both look fine. I wish I could afford to stay in a nice hotel like that.
Hi Richard,
What is the situation like in Siam Squre and Silom? From what I’ve read, should I avoid the Square?
Yes avoid.
Hi,
I will be going to Bangkok on 8th mar to 12th mar & will be staying at grand diamond suites hotel (888 Petchburi Road, Petchburi, Rajthevi, Bangkok 10400 Thailand). Will it be safe to stay there and to travel around that area?
Phetchaburi Road is safe but stay away from Pratunam intersection.
Hi Richard,
thank you for keeping us all updated! Going to be at the Metropolitan Hotel in Bangkok next week – it is not far from one of the sites marked at your map. Still safe to go?
Metropolitan Hotel is far enough away to be safe and there is taxi access.
Hello,
I am in Bangkok right now and would like to go to Ayutthaya by minivan but I would have to go from the Victory monument which I understand is a place of protests. What would you recommend? I am reading your posts every day and really appreciate your effort!
Thanks!
Your info is out of date. Back to normal at victory monument. Did you check my map?
Hi Richard,
I am planning to stay at the Oriental residence, wireless road in March.
Is it a safe area or am I am better off staying at Baiyokesky hotel?
Thank you for updating us on the situation in Bangkok and the really helpful map.
Wireless Road is safe. no problem and has taxi access.
Hi!
I will be in Bangkok sporadically for the next three months. One visit I am staying on Sathorn Soi 1, but other times I’m thinking about staying at Lub D on Silom. Is that safe? Siloms a big area-not sure where exactly the protests are exactly.
Protests are at the top end of Silom at the Sala Daeng intersection. Walking street takes up upper Silom. Your choice but I advise people to stay away from all rally sites.
Hi Richard,
I’m going to Bangkok on 8th March,2014. I will be staying at Grand Diamond, 888 Petchburi Road, Rajthevi, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand. Is it safe to stay there and travel to the tourist attraction places? Is there any transportation from BBK airport to my hotel?
Phetchsburi Road is safe apart from Pratunam intersection.
Hi richard,
I will be stayin at amari westgate on 28th-30th march. Izzit that area are save and is there taxi access in that area..?? Hope to see ur reply..
Dear Richard, a few friends and I will be flying in to Bangkok via the international airport and will be staying at Courtyard by Marriot. We’re attending an event at Hansar and will be travelling around to Silom and along the Chao Praya river. Will there be any issues with transport and where to walk?
Sorry, forgot to mention that we are flying in on 28 February.
Courtyard by Marriot is safe and looks like it has taxi access but you are quite near a rally site and you might be inconvenienced.
Hi Richard,
I’ll be stay at Berkeley Pratunam Hotel from 1 March and 5 March. In light of recent events, is it still safe? If not, can you recommend us other hotels? Many thanks.
Berkeley Pratunam Hotel is safe but try and stay clear of Pratunam intersection as it is the entrance to the rally site.
Hi Richard, any advice on what NOT to wear while in Bangkok such as avoiding wearing specific colors assuming the obvious (ie: inappropriate/obscene t-shirts)? I plan to avoid rally sites at all measures and certainly don’t want to obliviously wear the wrong color in the wrong area. Thanks
As a foreigner you shouldn’t have a problem.
Hi Richard,
your updates on the situation in BKK are much appreciated, I will be visiting BKK on March 11th for 1 week with my wife and young daughter, We plan to do some shopping at the local markets and malls, we will be staying in the Grand Diamond Suites at Pratunam area, is it safe to shop at the markets and malls there.
Best Regards
Peter
Grand Diamond Suites is safe and has taxi access but stay away from pratunam intersection.
Hi Richard,
Me and my friends will be staying at a service apartment near sanam pao station in bkk.
Is the area safe ?
That area is safe.
Hi Richard ,
im staying at Centre Point Pratunam Hotel
6 Soi 15 Petchburi Road, Rajthevee, on the 28 feb
Is it safe to go RCA area and union mall from our hotel?
Much thanks in advance !
Phetchaburi Road is safe but don’t go near Pratunam Intersection as it is the entrance to a rally site.
Hi, i will be in bangkok from 18-21 march. And will be staying at Furama Xclusive Sathorn. Will it be safe there ans to travel to shopping areas from there? Thank you.
Sathorn road is safe. I’m not sure exactly where your hotel is.
Hi RIchard,
I will be travelling to Bangkok on feb 28th. I will be staying at Courtyard Marriot which is sandwiched between two danger zones. How safe is this general area to access in and out?
Your reply is much appreciated! Thanks!
Courtyard Marriot should be quiet but as it is near a rally site, actually two, access won’t be that easy.
I’ve got a room in the Pullman King Power Hotel March 3-11. It’s by the Victory Monument – is that area safe? Thanks so much!
Victory Monument area is safe.
Thank you!
Hi Richard, you are great and thank you very much for your tips! I hope you can help me! can you tell me if Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok in in a safe aerea and has taxi acces?
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok has taxi access from the south and is safe and quiet.
Good day to you Richard,
I will be flying off on the 27th Feb. Will be staying at Baiyoke Suite hotel. Isit safe there?
Thank you~
Yes, but don’t go too close to Pratunam Intersection which is the entrance to a rally site.
Hi Richard,
I’ll be travelling to Bangkok this 4th March till 8th March. I’ll be residing at iSanook Residence:118, Soi Songphra, Siphraya Road,
Kwang Maha Pruttaram, Khet Bangrak, and Baan K Residence by Bliston: 12/1 Soi Sathorn 2, North Sathorn Road, Silom, Bangrak. Are those hotel locations safe to stay at? Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Victor
iSanook Residence is far enough away to be safe. But be careful of going too near to Silom.
Hi Richard,
I am traveling in mid-March, was wondering if Sukhumvit Soi 10 area (Galleria 10 hotel) is safe? Its my first time there so I do not know the area very well.
Appreciate your advise!
Soi 10 is safe and has taxi access.
thks for your tweet…is really so helpful for our family 1st trip to bangkok.we decided to change hotelprincess to Pattaya.do you know any hotel can transit from airport to pattaya?
You can take a bus or hire a taxi from the airport to Pattaya.
thks richard with your tweet its so helpful for us travel on coming month.hopw hav chance to giv you a beer.
Hi Richard,
I am heading to BKK in mid March., staying at Galleria 10 Hotel at Sukhumvit. Is that area safe? This is my first
time there need your advise. Thanks!
It is safe but the nearest BTS station is at a rally site.
Hey richard, ill be going to bkk on 4march and ill be staying at baiyoke boutique. Is that area safe? Thankyou
It is at the moment but be careful at Pratunam intersection.
Hi richard, is it alright to be staying at arize hotel? Thank u in advance 🙂
arize hotel is in a safe area and has taxi access.
Hi Richard,
I arrive in Bangkok 2 weeks today. Booked into 2 different hotels, in Siam Square and Silom. What is the situation in these areas? As far as I’m aware, we might be best avoiding Siam Square?
Thanks in advance
Both areas have rally sites.
Hi Richard,
My husband and I and our 2 children are arriving in Bangkok late Mar 4th and staying at Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri on Ratchadamri Road. Did i hear correctly, there was some deadly violence in front of a Big C on Ratchadamri Road? Is that in close proximity to Grande Centre Point Hotel Ratchadamri? Should i be concerned? Thoughts?
We fly out to Chiang Mai two days later. Thank you, Thank you!
Richard, I just want to say: Thank you for all your efforts, keeping us posted about the situation in Bangkok. Great job, much appreciated!
Hi Richard
I will stay at Sofitel SO . Do yu think its safe
Thks in advance
Aree
Yes, looks safe.
Hi
I am staying at Centara Grand at Central World for 2 nights from 2nd March, please can you advise what this area around this hotel is like at the moment and if it’s close to protest sites?
Thanks
Emily
Central World is a rally site.
Hi there,
We will be in Bangkok between the 7-12 March, we are staying at the Dream Hotel 10 Sukhumvit Soi 15. Is the area safe?
Thanks
Alen
Dream Hotel looks safe enough and has taxi access but stay away from Asoke.