Map of Bangkok Protest Sites in December 2013
UPDATED on 30th December 2013: It is now expected to be quiet over the new year holiday. Many tourists still reporting that they didn’t see any protesters during their holiday in Bangkok. It’s a big city and as long as you stay away from the rally sites and any large gathering you will be perfectly fine. Don’t worry. But, do follow me on Twitter for breaking news 24/7
After 2nd January 2014 we are expecting a big rally across Bangkok. Police are expecting it to be peaceful but it will cause gridlock. We don’t yet know which day or any of their intended targets. But we are expecting it to be more prolonged this time. Follow on twitter for more information as soon as I get it, 24/7.
This page will no longer be updated as we are in a new month already. Please visit: Everything You Need to Know about the Bangkok Shutdown.
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Follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow for all the latest breaking news on these protests.
This page will no longer be updated as we are in a new month already. Please visit: Everything You Need to Know about the Bangkok Shutdown.
We are staying at Baan Wanglang Riverside just across the river from the Grand Palace from Dec 2 to Dec 5.
We are still going, expecting traffic delays coming from and going to the airport. Allow 3 hours for the trip to the airport. Looking forward to the trip.
hi richard,
We will be staying at S sukhumvit suites hotel next to Asok Bts and Eastin Grand hotel Sathorn next to Sirasak Bts. Are these two areas safe? Any protest nearby?
No rally sites nearby but there have been protests for a short period of time.
No rally sites in that area though there have been protest marches passing through. You will be fine but follow the news on twitter as the situation could change this weekend.
Thank you very much. Could you please recommend some hotels near BTS which is easy access from/to Don Mueang Airport? Very appreciate with your kindness.
hi richard, good day.
can understand where the exactly prostectng area so that i could try to avoid those area.
very appreciate with million thanks
Everything is marked on the map with red markers.
Hi Richard, thanks for your kindly reply. I have another question, we will reach Bangkok Don Mueang Airport at approx 9pm tomorrow night, and our hotel is Boonsiri Place Bangkok Hotel which located at Buranasart Rd, Phranakorn, Khaosan/Grand Palaca. Is it will be traffic congestion for us heading to our hotel? And traffic jam when we are going out for some visits around in Bangkok? Or we should change hotel to those near to BTS in city?
Thank you very much.
If you can I would change to somewhere on the skytrain route. There is no reason to doubt safety on Khao San Road as there are many people there. But, you will find that as the main rally site is nearby that many roads in that area are closed or will be congested when they set off on another march somewhere.
Please update the map on areas with protest. And my main concern in areas in pratunam and BTS Victoria Monument, is there any chance even the sky train will stop working? Flight this Saturday. please advise. Thanks.
I’m updating the map all the time. However, there is no point in marking protest marches or large gatherings unless they stay there overnight. All the rally sites are marked. At this moment in time, the BTS is running and no reason to think it will close.
Hi, I stay in Bangkok from 30th November till 3rd December – Chillax Resort, 274 Samsen Soi 2 Phra Nakhon. Pls advice if I should change hotel.
You should be fine though I have been advising people to look for hotels along the skytrain or subway routes as there might be traffic congestion at times.
Hi Richard, just another question, is there a fixed timing for the protests/marches to commence? Like do they normally start their activities in the day or evening/night?
Marches are during the day. The ones at Asok and Silom for blowing whistles are usually held during the mid-day lunch break so office workers can join in as well.
Hi Richard, my family will be spending the holiday in Bangkok from this Sat (30/11) and staying at Urbana Langsuan Hotel at 55 Langsuan Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan area. We have been closely monitoring the situation in Bangkok and glad that you are providing this live coverage. My wife is quite worried about the situation as we are bringing along two young kids. Would like to seek some advice from you.
– Should we continue our travel plan ?
– Will it be safe to walk around at night if we avoid those troubled area ?
Appreciate your advice. Thanks.
At this moment in time, there is no reason to think there is any danger at all in those areas. It is away from the main protest sites and as Bangkok is a big place it is easy to avoid. So far the protests have been peaceful and it has mainly been more about traffic congestion and gridlock than safety. I cannot predict next week. This could go on like this for weeks without nothing major happening. If you are worried, then you could always move to a beach resort.
Hi Richard, I will be in Bangkok this weekend. Still undecided to stay at either Sheraton Grande or Royal Orchid. Really want to book Sheraton Grande, but a bit worried of current situation. Do you think it’s ok for me to stay at Asoke?
Should be fine even though there is a whistle blowing protest scheduled for Friday. They will be there only a few hours. They have been non-violent.
How are the tourist sites within the rattanakosin area? I had been thinking of going to the national museum (near sanam luang), but am not sure of what’s going on in that area at the present.
National Museum is fine even though it is near the rally sites. There is no immediate danger to tourists. However, I would stay away from Marble Temple as it is on the front line.
Follow-up: yesterday (Fri. 29 Nov.) we took a river boat to tha chang, then to the national museum, then the khao san road area, then back to tha praarthit for a return boat — no problems, no signs of the protests in those areas.
Hi Richard, sorry to trouble you. Are there still protest going on @ The Royal Thai Police Headquaters? Because I saw on the map, it is pretty near the major shopping centres and also near Pratunam area. I will be staying in Baiyoke Sky Hotel, going on 30/11/13. Please advise. Thanks.
They come and go. No big deal to you. Just noisy when they blow whistles. They went there to give roses to the police.
Hi Richard, thanks for your info. Would like to check with u, my family and I with seniors (up to 67 years old) and children (youngest is 2 years old) along, are going to Bangkok on 30th Nov, this Saturday, until 6th Dec. Is it safe and suitable for us to have the trip? Is Chatuchak market, Siem ocean world, china town, damnoen floating market, ayutthaya, and public transport are safe for us? Should we change date for our trip?
Thank u very much!
That all sounds fine. Bangkok is a big place and many tourists are reporting that they didn’t see any protesters at all. Plus it has all been non-violent so far with no major clashes with police reported.
Hi Richard, I will be staying in The Victory Executive Residences Bangkok from 30nov to 5dec. May I know if it would be safe to stay around the Victory Monument area? Thanks a lot!
No problem there at the moment though sometimes protest marches pass through causing traffic gridlock for an hour or so. But there is the skytrain in that area.
Hello Richard,
the question is, what exactly should happen to ease the current situation? Watching from far away, the goverment and PM seem silent to me. We are in BKK mid December and hoping things will fade away before then though.
It seems to be a deadlock at the moment. Protesters keep pushing the buttons of the government but they are not reacting. What the protesters want is a violent crackdown by the police which will bring more people out.
I’m just curious: Why was today expected to be the last day?
They were probably hoping to close the ministries today. But it didn’t go to plan. Or they had some secret plan that we didn’t know about and they changed their minds.
Hi again Richard,
Here’s a million dollar question..when do you see these protests ending ?
I know it’s a toughie…but gut feel and past experience ?
A friend in Bkk says the kings bday comes up and things may improve.
Your thoughts.
Many thanks.
The problem is, the King is not here. He is in Hua Hin so things will be different this year anyway. Today was expected to be the last day. But now they have called a strike for Thursday-Friday. If that doesn’t work then they will call for a big rally at the weekend. And so it goes on until something happens to end it all. No-one really knows.
Hi Richard
We are 3 that have an hotel on khao san road on the 28 and 29 before we move on to Lebua for 2 nights. Should we chancel our hotel on khao san road as it seems very close to the protests? Are there any protest in the Lebua area, as we dont want to chancel it.
Keep up the good work Richard 🙂
Jákup Andrias
There are lots of people on Khao San Road tonight carrying on as normal.
Hi Richard,
Heard that security has been extended to the Suvamabhumi Airport today as the protest area has been expanded?
Is situation very bad now? Was still thinking whether to cancel my trip since I will be flying over on 30 Nov to Svamabhumi Airport. Is it still safe?
Hi Richard,
I’ll be going to Bangkok this Friday and staying at Silom area. is it okay?
thanks.
You shouldn’t have a problem though sometimes there are limited demonstrations there. But all peaceful so far. At least you have the skytrain there to get you out of the area quickly.
Hey Richard,
Are areas around Sukhumvit and Bangrak safe? Travelling to Bangkok on 2nd Dec’13 for a week. Pls advise. Should I cancel my bookings?
Everything has been safe so far and many tourists have reported that they didn’t actually see any protests.
Thanks for your update!
I’m visiting Bangkok from 30 Nov to 4 Dec, staying near Terminal 21. Is there any govt building in that region and also near Central World Plaza that would “attract” the protesters? Is it safe to visit Grand Palace as it is close to the rally sites?
There are no rally sites in that area but there has been protest marches passing through. The odds are that you won’t see anything though.
Dear Richard,
Thanks a lot for the marvelous job. I will move directly to Pattaya.Is it safe there?
I’m going there on Friday for three days.
Need help Richard. Safe to travel to Bkk on 2nd Dec? Will be staying at Hotel Westin grande and then off to Krabi from Don Maung Airport? Will public transport function normally? Also on way back from Krabi will be staying at Royal Orchid in Bkk for a night before finally flying out off Thailand
Should be all fine. But do keep up with the news on Twitter.
Hi Richard,
Really appreciate your update.
I planning to go to bangkok for a family trip with 3 adult, 1 teenager, 3 kids and 2 senior.
We will be staying at Grand diamond Suites hotel and planned to venture out of our hotel area to Asistique, river dinner curise at river side district and chocolate vill at Chocolate Ville, Kaset Nawamin Km. 11 Rd, Kasetnawamin Rd. Bangkok, Thailand.
Will it be safe for us to go to these area and how do you suggest we go there, by train, BTS, MRT etc..
thanks
Janice
I am not familiar with your hotel but all of those attractions are fine. There is no way of telling in advance what the roads will be like.
Hi Richard,
Any tip-offs yet on airport closure? My family and I will be arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport tomorrow(28 nov) at 1730 Bangkok time. We will be staying at Centre Point Petchburi 15 Ratchathewi near the platinum fashion mall. We will be going with children. Should we cancel our trip or is there any advise that u can give us?
At this moment in time there is no reason to cancel your holiday. I am sure you will be fine but do keep up with the news on Twitter.
dude, do you have some update information about what will the protesters do today ?
They are all over today.
Hi Richard,
we will be arriving in Bangkok tomorrow November 28-Dec2 with a child. please tell me is it really safe to travel now? we fear there would be an airport closure especially at Suvarnabhumi Int’l Airport. we will be staying in Khaosan road. is it safe? or do u have any suggestions on where to stay safer? hope to hear from u.
I saw pictures from Khao San Road last night and life goes on. However, you are near the main rally site so it might cause some traffic congestion when you move around.
Hi Richard, been following you on twitter and thanks for the updates. My family and I will be travelling on Dec 1-6, our hotel will be in hotel mercure ibis siam.Are there news when will the protest rallies be over?Its our first time in BKK so we don’t know if the hotel location is safe to stay. Also part of our itinerary is to go to Ayuttaya and Erwan Museum, should we avoid those areas? Thanks so much…. It will be a big help:)
Siam is full of shoppers and life goes on. No problem going north to Ayutthaya or south to Erawan Museum.
Thanks for the info. Appreciate it:)
Hi Richard,
Any tip-offs yet on airport closure especially Don Meung? Am arriving tomorrow. Or advice on taxi service. Are they taking passengers?
Hi Richard Barrow,
I would be going to Bangkok from 29th Nov (Fri)-02 Dec(Mon) and staying at Budacco Hotel which is located in Pratunam area. Is that area affected? How about the traffic from DMK airport to Pratunam? I’m planning to visits the malls in Siam Square, Grand Palace, Chatuchak market and Chinatown. Are these places still safe to go? Would you recommend me to cancel my trip?
You should have no problem in those areas. But leave extra time to go to the airports.
hi Richard Barrow
i going to bangkok on 6-10 Dec. it is safe to stay in silom area?
it seem like chinatown town area is one of the protesting area?
how about the traffic in DMK airport to silom between?
thanks bro.. 🙂
No problem at this moment in time as it is away from the main protest sites. But you might see some protest marches pass through briefly.
Hi Richard
We are planning to go to BKK from 7th to 11th Dec and will stay close to Kaosan Road which seems to be really close to the rally site. Do you recommend to move to a hotel in a different area?
Would it be possible to visit Wat Pho and Wat Phra Keaew as they are also close to the rally site and inside the blue zone on your map.
A friend was on Khao San Road last night and she said it is business as usual there with many tourists. Also many tourists at the Grand Palace. Obviously there is traffic congestion in that area due to road closures.
in bkk between 29th nov & 1st dec…hope ski 4 sukhumvit is safe
No problems reported in that area at this moment in time.
Oh no… I am flying to Suvamabhumi Airport this Saturday. Will there be road block or other activities that may cause a delay in checking out from the airport or traveling to Novotel Siam Square?
No roadblocks or other problems at this moment in time.
Hi,
We have to visit the Ministry of Foreign affairs around the 2-3 december. If I understand the text right, it should be safe to go there now?
To be clear, it is the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 123 Chaeng Watthana Road we are visting. Maybe it wasnt this building they stormed?
Today, Wednesday, protesters are being told to lay siege to all ministries across Bangkok. Ask me again tomorrow.
May I know what is the risk level of a protest area at Amari Watergate Hotel?
No problems reported in that area at all.
I’m planning my trip to bangkok on 29 Dec to 31 Dec. Places i would like to visit are the Grand Palace, Chatuchak weekend market, Asiatique The Riverfront and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Are these places affected? Will be staying in Novotel at Siam Square Hotel. Would be great to get some advice from you. Thanks!
At this moment in time there are no problems for you to do that. Bangkok is a big place and easy to avoid the protest sites.
hi richard
iheard from my friends that tourists arriving at the airport can no longer take the taxi at the departure level as there are barricades that stop tourists from taking taxis after dropping passengers.
Is it true? I will travel to bangkok in very near future.
That is correct. You have to take the registered taxis on the ground level.
Hi Richard,
My family and I will be flying to bkk on 7th Dec for 4 days. We’ll be staying around pratunam area, at a small hotel just beside Baiyoke sky. We’ll most probably be visiting the pratunam market area and places such as central world, MBK, Siam Square and the chatuchak weekend market. Is it safe to proceed with my trip to bangkok? and also to go over to these places? does my journey I am really worried that they might shut down the airport like how they did 2 years ago.
No problem in those areas at this moment in time. But do keep up with the news while here by using Twitter.
hey richard, those are real good tips, is there anything we should refrain from doing or going other than Ratchadamnoen Avenue?
Thanks in advance mate!
Any tourist attraction near the protest sites like Dusit Zoo and Marble Temple should be avoided.
Hi richard
Im travellin to bangkok n pattaya on 9-15dec with an infant so we were worried abt the latest emergency declaration n hesitatin to travel ..wat do u suggest ?? Wat is d situation there ??
There is no emergency declaration and it is safe to travel to Pattaya.
Hi there. I would like you to advise us on this, both of me and my friend are going for our bkk trip this 6 dec till 9 dec. These are the places we would wanna go: CHATUCHAK / PATPONG / PRATUNAM / PLATINUM MALL / MBK and plus our hotel which we stay at PRINCESS SUVARNABHUMI.
TELL US ARE THESE PLACE SAFE??
THANK RICHARD
No problem in those areas at this moment in time.
Hello,
I would like to ask a few questions.
1. My family and I are going to stay in Grand Mandarin Residence from Dec 2-5. Can we freely walk around the district where the hotel resides ?
2. How does the Internal Security Act can affect tourists like us ?
3. Which shopping district is in the ISA area ?
Thanks.
Main shopping areas are in Siam and Ratchaprasong and are away from main rally sites. You should have no problem. ISA just gives the government more powers to clamp down on illegal protests.
Hi Richard,
I will be flying to Bangkok with my families on 30 Nov, this Saturday and will be staying at ibis siam bangkok hotel till 3 Dec 13.
Do you think it’s safe to continue with my trip and shop around for the following areas?
1) My hotel area
2) Central World
3) Siam Paragon
4) Siam Center
5) Food Plus
6) Siam Square
7) Siam Discovery Center
8) MBK
9) Chit Lom
10) Chatuchak Weekend Market
11) Siam Niramit Show
12) Terminal 21
Do you know whether we will pass by this protest area travelling from the airport to my hotel?
Thanks.
You should have no problem in those areas and the route to the airport is clear for you. But you do need to keep an eye on the news every day. Follow me on Twitter @RichardBarrow for live updates 24/7.
Hi Richard,I saw a post saying that there is grenade found at Sukhumwit 93 today. Is that true? I’ll be travelling to Bangkok on this 30 Nov and return on 7 Dec. Is it safe to travel there now? I’ve yet book my hotel but intended to stay at Sukhumwit area and maybe Pratunam area as well. Thanks.
Yes, follow me on twitter @RichardBarrow as I posted pictures of that incident. You should have no problem in that area. Try and book a hotel near the skytrain.
I love bangkok…it’s sad to see these protests erupt ever few year though no tourist has really been hurt…but why chance it. I was planning a trip in Jan but have refrained from booking my tickets, waiting for some clarity to emerge.
Richard my question to you is that is it business-as-usual whilst these protests are going on I.e. Do the restaurants function normally, night life continues, sukhumvit is as busy as ever?
Regards
Nick-a Bangkok lover.
Yes, life goes on as normal and some tourists have said that they never saw any protests. Even Khao San road is open as normal even though it is normal to the protest site.
Heard the security area has been expended to Samut Prakarn’s Bang Pli district (which includes Suvarnabhumi Airport).
Will we be seeing another closure of the Airport?
Hopefully they learned their lesson.
Hello Richard, I am traveling to BKK 11 Dec-15 Dec with two children, still did not book the hotel. Can you please recommend me the good area to stay to do some sightseeing/shopping/ect AND avoid the protest’ areas.
I would stay somewhere along the skytrain or subway route. Easier to get around and they connect to all main shopping malls without going down to the ground level.
Hi Richard! Your updates have been helpful for us the tourist. I’ll be staying at Renaissance Bangkok Hotel Ratchaprasong, are this hotel and siam paragon areas affected by the protests? I heard that some speculate the protest will end before the King’s birthday which falls on 5th of Dec. I’ll be in Bangkok on 4th-6th of Dec. Look forward to receiving your response. Thanks!
You should have no problem in that area though some protest marches might pass through.