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.
[followbutton username=’richardbarrow’]
[cetsEmbedGmap src=https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210550963008557722983.0004ea041241da07d86cb&msa=0&ll=13.759894,100.532455&spn=0.146226,0.222988 width=450 height=425 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 frameborder=0 scrolling=no]
[tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/413696125586006016]
[tweet https://twitter.com/RichardBarrow/status/413696904837337088]
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.
Ronny, please keep calm and do not cancel your trip. Even when the riots and sit-in in 2010 cost many lives, tourists or tourist areas were never affected. The anger is political and internal, not towards tourists. Red- and yellow-shirts alike will not harm tourists.
Hi Richard, Thank God for your very informative site about BKK.
Any idea when the protest will stop ‘cos I will be in BKK on the 19th Dec and was wondering will it end by then?
PS; I will be staying at Citin Pratunam Bangkok Hotel
Please advice.
No idea how long this will go on.
Hi Richard, I will be travelling to Bangkok on the 6th of Dec and will be staying at the Bangkok City Hotel. I have gotten the most recent update through the news that the situation had worsen and major malls has been closed. Any advices on this as one of my main purpose is to shop at BKK.
Regards,
JW
A few malls near Police HQ closed all day one one day and at 8pm the next. Nothing happened and it was safe.
Hi Richard,
My sister and I will be traveling to BKK on the 11th December, we are not all that keen on cancelling our flight as we are visiting family which we havnt seen for a long time. Is there any problem in Phuket?
Regards
Phuket is fine.
Hi, are the protests anywhere near chatuchak wkend market? and pratunam area?My hotel is near platinum mall. Is tt mall open?
Are the taxis still available around tourist areas cuz I’m not sure if roads are closed or protests are ongoing around the area. I hope it will be ok soon, I’m gg in abt a week’s time
My friend was at the market at the weekend and didn’t see any protests. Bangkok is a big place.
Hi Richard,
My wife and I will be flying to Bangkok on the 7th of December for a weekend shopping and we will be staying in the Pratunam area. Is Bangkok safe? How about Pratunam, and are the shopping malls open? Thanks!
Pratunam area is full of shoppers as normal.
Thanks! Stay safe…
I arrived in Bangkok this morning and travelled to the Sukosol Hotel via the heart of the protest area courtesy of a lost taxi driver (who continued going through it – several times !) was a bit nerve wracking being suck in traffic with hundreds of protesters streaming past in foot and piled in trucks – maybe making sure your taxi driver knows Bangkok would be a good bit of advice for visitors ?
Btw – away from the actual protest area all is normal. Wouldn’t know anything was happening from where I am now.
Hi Richard,
Great job on the updates. My family 92 adults and 2 kids) supposed to fly to Bangkok on the 5th to Don Mueang, staying in Silom and Rambuttri. Thinking of cancelling… What do you think? 1st holiday to Bangkok, very disappointed. Really looking forward to Chatuchak.
Cheers
Bangkok is a big place and still easy to avoid all of this.
HI Richard, my family will be flying in to Bangkok on the 8th of December and will stay until 14th Dec. We will be staying in Dang Derm Hotel, 1 Khaosan Road, Phra Nakhom. I am planning to go to chatuchak and temple hopping, ayutthaya, dinner cruise, floating market, and mall hopping. Is it safe to visit Bangkok now or should we cancel our trip? Will I be having difficulty in getting transport to the tourist areas? Appreciate your advise on this. Thank you.
There are many tourists here doing exactly that. But the situation is changing rapidly. If you do come, you need to exercise extreme caution if you find yourself near a large group of protesters.
Hi Richard,
Will have to take a decision today in 4 hours.Everything has been paid-Only air ticket can be reimbursed.Should reach BKK on the 5th and will head to Pattaya.What to do? I am afraid that a volcano of violence may erupt at any time affecting the airport too.
Regards
Ronny
Did you make it ?
Nick
Hi Richard, We will be flying to Bangkok this wednesday on 4th of December. Considering all the tear gas and 3 dead victims, is it safe to visit Bangkok now? We will be staying at Renaissance Ratchaprasong Hotel Marriott, and mostly will visit the Siam Paragon and Terminal 1 Malls. Should we cancel our trip? Please advise us on this. Still cant decide yet. Thank you very much.
Hey annie, how about platinum mall and chatuchak market? Are they affected?
No problem there
Hi Richard thanks for all your up to date info.we are coming out on the 12th dec.can you tell me what the situation is for taking the train to chiang Mai.i understand that it should have started again.
thanks keith
Yes, the line is open again as of today running as normal.
HI Richard , i be going BBK on 5th Dec and staying at Bangkok city Hotel. is that area affected? and i be leaving on 6th to Pattaya . Will my route from BBk to Pattaya be affected? Thank you for your info ..
5th is the King’s birthday and we are expecting a day long truce. Road to Pattaya is fine. I was there at the weekend.
Hi All,
I’m now at Bangkok, day 3. The situation is not really tense but we were told to stay inside as the curfew has been imposed.
This afternoon we went to Siam area but Siam Center, Siam Paragon, MBK were all closed. A bit disappointed.
hey there annie, what about other tourist sites? im going there on the following sunday, not sure if i should cancel and go elsewhere
If going out… try not to use yellow or red shirts otherwise protestors might think we are one of the pro-government camp or protestors’ camp..
hi Annie & all,
Thanks for your info. Oh no! Hope for a better days to come for all of us. Keep the posts to latest
Hi Richard thanks for the updates, I am blessed to come across your blog..interesting and insightful. I will coming on the 4 th of dec and staying in baiyoke sky ..hopefully peace is restored by then
Hi Richard I will be travelling on the 4th of dec to bangkok..I will be staying at baiyoke sky and probably just hang around at pratunam area and platinum mall. Is my area safe?
That area is perfectly fine. I have been getting firsthand reports.
We are planning to arrive in BKK on 5th Dec and leave on 8th. Hotel booked on Silom… We are assuming that at the present time all of the protests are away from here?
There has been peaceful demonstrations for short periods of time. But you are correct, no clashes with police in that area.
Hi Richard,
I am planning to visit BKK this Sunday. I wonder if you can advise if I should take a hotel outside the vicinity of policy HQ or other relevant gov’t agencies? Many thanks brother.
Try and stay somewhere along the skytrain route. In preference one with skybridge access like Asia Hotel.
Hi Richard,
I am traveling to BKK on the 19 Dec 2013 to 23 Dec 2013. We will be staying at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam, 559 Pratunam, Ratchathewi. I would like to check whats the situation near this area and is it one of the protest area?
That is fine and far from any clashes
Boyfriend and I will go to Pattaya and Bangkok, Pratunum on 12 Dec, 2013. Is it far from Protest area? I saw news that the rally is getting serious and gunfire. Will it be affected on my traveling date? Thank you so much for you infor.
Yes far from the clashes
Hi,
I would be in bangkok from 3-6 dec, staying at Buddaco, near pratunum market. How is the situation there? Just worried that they will shut the airport
All as normal there. Follow me on twitter @RichardBarrow as I’ve been posting live pics of shoppers there.
I live in Bangkok and my (and my wifes) concern is if the airport gets shut down like last time.
Looks like things are going to get much worse before they get better…Tragic. I have don’t have too much insight but I thought Shinawatra was democratically elected.
And the economic losses are going to be quite high too.
I am indefinitely postponing my trip. Here’s hoping that things return to normal really soon.
Looks like things are going to get much worse before they get better…Tragic.
And the economic losses are going to be quite high too.
I am indefinitely postponing my trip. Here’s hoping that things return to normal really soon.
Hi Richard
Me and family are travelling to BKK tomorrow, staying in Nasa Vegas hotel, hoping to get some shopping done and go to the waterpark etc, Do u think its safe to travel their with children
Should be fine as long as you stay away from rally sites.
Hi Richard~
I’m visiting Bangkok from 05th Dec to 10th Dec, staying at Best Western Plus at 20 Sukhumvit.
Do you think it’s safe to continue with my trip and shop around for the following areas?
1) My Hotel area
2) Impact Exhibiton & Convention Centre
3) Erawan Shrine (4-face Buddha)
4) Train Market Srinakarin
5) State Tower
6) Platinum Fashion Mall
7) Terminal 21
8) Central World
9) Siam Paragon
10)chocolate ville
That’s all fine and away from the clashes.
Hi Richard, I will have biz trip in BKK Dec 2-4, will cover area like,
Chang-wattana Rd., Thongsonghong, Laksi, Bangkok
Not sure if above location safe… kindly advise, thanks.
Regards,
Anthony
Chaeng Wattana has a rally site but peaceful so far. But the police my crackdown on them.
This is anti-Chinese policy by the Siamese blood. Siam was the land of Siamese . Thai-land is the land of Thais!.
My husband and I are coming to Bangkok on Fri Dec 6-just checking on protests and want to know what tours you could possibly set up? We would like to see much a we can on Sat nd Sun-any help you can give will be greatly appreciated.
I am not a tour agent
Hi Richard,my family will be flying down on 4 Dec staying in Novotel Siam Square. We thought staying near Siam BTS will be easier to travel from airport and back. But now I am worried Siam BTS might be flooded with protestors, and makes getting to Siam BTS from Hotel potentially dangerous. Does the protestors passby Siam BTS to police HQ (the road under BTS), can you advise? Thanks.
That is correct. Today was a problem as they closed all the major shopping malls along that road. First time since protests in 2010. Not sure yet what tomorrow will bring.
hi Richard.
i’ll be arriving in bkk on dec 6, 8pm, and will be staying in centra central station hotel near chinatown. Is it safe still? i’m planning to go to chatuchak and temple hopping on the 7th, ayutthaya on the 8th plus dinner cruise. floating market on the 9th. and mall hopping on the 10th.
Chinatown is not affected at all
Richard,
Please keep us updated on the current situation there. Ours is scheduled on 10th morning. Still confused whether to go ahead or postpone. Your help is highly appreciated
I would go ahead but have plan B up your sleave. Maybe head to Phuket or Chiang Mai or even just Pattaya.
Richard, I’m wondering about the BTS, specifically the Siam station, which is both the interchange for the two BTS lines and quite close to the protest target of the Royal Police. A Thai person told me she thought it would stay safe, and that it was safe during the 2010 Ratchaprarop violence. Any thoughts? & thanks for the steady stream of info both on this site & your twitter account!
The BTS was only closed right at the end during the army crackdown. So far it is running. Today there are clashes between police and protesters but far from BTS.
I’m now staying near Terminal 21. Everything is normal here so far. I didn’t see any protester yesterday. However I suggest that tourists should follow the Twitter feeds closely because some regions in bkk are very dangerous. Today I’m going to Chatuchak and Chinatown, all by MRT. It should not be a big problem.
Landed in BKK last night and fingers crossed things get better and not worse.
Wanted to visit the Grand Palace and the chatuchak market today.
Am I likely to come across protestors at either location?
Thanks Richard.
You should be ok
Thanks for the reply and the note of encouragement.I am really at a loss what to do.I”ll wait for the Sunday events and on Monday will take a decision.Hopefully Richard will provide more info.
Pattaya is a nice place- usually I stay in the North at Woodlands.
I do a lot of reading,cooking classes,go to Koh Chang a small island,visit some beer bars , do a lot of massage ( medical) and pratice Tai-Chi. I like the atmosphere but far from the madness of the walking street.You should visit Pattaya someday:known as the sin city however it has a lot more to offer.
Hi, I am now writing from BKK. Was here since yesterday (30th Nov), 10mins walk to Central world. Took a cab to the hotel and no traffic jam. Had a wonderful day and surprisingly calm here, it was party as usual everywhere. Did not even get a chance to see one protestor. Like what Richard will say, BKK is big so really you had a lot of chance to avoid them. I am here with two kids and now we are preparing ourselves for Chatuchap today. Think it will be another great day.
Hi Willy,
Thank for the information, i will travelling to bkk next wednesday and stay around Pratunam area, glad to hear that the situation is still under control. I think i no need to cancel my flight 🙂
Hi Richard,
Is it true that the protests have turned violent?
I’ve heard that there was some violence today at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bang Kapi and that one student died and a few others seriously injured.
I’m scheduled to visit Bangkok on Boxing Day and I’m wondering if I should cancel or reschedule.
Latest is four dead. However, the Red Shirts have now gone home as their leader didn’t want any further bloodshed.
1 killed in protests the situation is getting really bad..what will u say sir?
Day is not over yet. That was in one area where tourists don’t go.
Yup,agree with you Ronny. I have put my travel plans on hold. The problem is that there seems to be no logical solution at this point with both the factions at loggerheads. Sad as this is season time in Thailand.
Richard do you see an end in sight ?
Dear Nick,
Already paid for hotel in Pattaya(non-refundable and non-transferable)
and for air-ticket.Planned to reach BKK on the 5th Dec-one night in BKK- and 12 nights in Pattaya but I will cancel everything. Staying there in a fearful atmosphere will ruin my holidays.Though Pattaya may be safe there is the risk that the airport might be targeted.
Really sad for my Thai friends who are very dependent on the high season to make some money.Sad indeed!
Ronny,
If you have pre-paid you should go. Pattaya seems to be relatively safe and okay to go to. Bkk also should be fine as long as you are near the bts so you can reach the airport easily. Richard should be able to through some more light on this subject.
Btw on a different note…12 days in pattaya sound like a lot…what does one do there. In my 6-7 trips to Thailand, I have never ever been to pattaya.
Take care and if I were you and if Richard gives you the green light, go.
Cheers
Dear Richard,
Seems that the situation is getting tense in Bangkok with Red shirts converging towards the capital. I think we can expect violent clashes.
Do you think it is still safe to be in BKK? Even if safe the mood will not be vacation-orientated.
Thanks for your great job.
I’m arriving in Bangkok on december 6 and will be staying in Centra Central Station up to the 10th? is it safe still?
Moreover, I’m planning to go to ayutthaya and Floating market on the 8th and 9th, while chatuchak and Temple running on the 6th. Do you think it’s still safe?
That all sounds fine
Thank you so much Richard, for the information,it was indeed helpful.
have a good day !
Hello Richard,
I have been following your updates closely for the reason that we have made our bookings to be in BKK from 27th Dec until 30th Dec and our hotel is on Sukhumvit 10, Khlong Toei. As per your map one of the Army HQ’s is close by to this place and was wondering if we should cancel our plans or hold the booking since most of the hotels are getting fully booked.
Appreciate your help.
Should be fine as there was only a brief demonstration there.
Hi,
We are staying at near Rama VI Soi 19 and Sukhumvit 77 (Soi On nut), Phrakhanong Nua, Wattana Bangkok.
It is safe there?
Perfectly fine.
Staying at Mayfair Marriott executive apartments 5-8 Dec. Is this near the protest sites? How does the situation look at the moment? Is it safe to travel to Bangkok?
Clashes are still in isolated areas. You need to make a decision yourself if you want to risk it.
what do you mean with their victory day? is it mean that the protests will be ended?
Next Thursday is the King’s birthday, do people think that the protest will resolve after that. ?
Is it a mess and dangerous in the Siam Sq and Central World area?
SThere are no rally sites presently in the Siam area though there have been temporary demonstrations. Protest leaders are now saying 1 December is their victory day.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for all the info it’s really helpful. Just wondered what Dec 1 st Victory day might involve? we arrive in Bangkok tomorrow,
Hi Richard,
Thanks for yours useful info. I will going to Bangkok from 2 Dec and stay at KC Place Hotel at Ratchaparop Soi 5, Pratunam. May I know the place nearby safety or not? Is it safety if I go out at night time? I wish to go Pratunam Market and Asiatique River front. Thanks for your kindly advice. Thanks so much.
No rally sites in that area. You will be fine but stay away from any protests.
Thank you very much:)
Hi Richard,
No problems in Pattaya? I will be there nest Wednesday. Is the road from airport to Pattaya clear-I mean no protestors?
No problems at all coming to Pattaya.
Hello Richard,
Hope you are doing fine.
I have a question regarding the present situation as me and my family is travelling to Bangkok on 6th December and we will be staying in the LemonTea Hotel in the Petchburi Road Area. The exact location of the hotel is :
55 Soi Petchburi15 Petchburi Rd, Ratchthevi Bangkok Thailand 10400.
Is this area safe ?
What is the present situation in Bangkok now ?
It would be really helpful if you could provide some information,
That road is far from the rally sites though there have been protest marches passing that way. But these have been peaceful. Just stay away from any large groups and you will be fine. But do keep up with the news on Twitter.
Is the Platinum mall areas affected by the protest so far? Are taxi hard to get during this protest period and do taxi charge sky high fare during this period?
That is away from the protest sites. But there have been protest marches passing through. No big deal as they have been peaceful. Taxis are as normal though some might not want to take you near rally sites due to traffic congestion.
Hi,
Will be n BKK from 6/12 and staying in Chatrium Riverside Hotek , BKK. I hve few questions here:
Is the place distance from the rally site?
Is the water taxi and BTS working way?
Will it be terrible jam from Don Mueang Airport to Chatrium Riverside at abot 5pm?
Is there any problem/ traffic congestion if we go directo from Don Mueng Airport to Hua Hin direct?
Your kind advice please as we are traveling with children. tq
Chatrium is far from rally sites. All public transport including boats are running as normal. Are you sure you are arriving at Don Mueang? Anyway, there is an expressway from there which will take you to Hua Hin avoiding ground level in Bangkok. Even easier if you land at Suvarnabhumi which is the main airport.
Hi Richard,
Thank you so much for the live coverage. My family and I will be visiting BKK on 4th-10th dec, but our flight would only arrive at midnight. Do you think there will be traffic issues then and is it safe?
We will also be staying at Pratunam and going Chatukchat in the weekends.
If the protests really turn violent, will tourists be likely to get injured if we stay away from the large crowds?
Thank once again!
Always stay away from large gatherings and you will be fine. They are not targeting foreigners. Your arrival time is fine and in fact will be quicker to get to your hotel.