Map and Information about Protests in Bangkok in March 2014
FOR LATEST NEWS FROM BANGKOK, PLEASE CLICK HERE
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
Please read my latest tweets above before asking questions. Also check the map for latest updates on protest sites.
The Bangkok Shutdown is over and the protesters have moved away from the intersections. However, this doesn’t mean that the protests are over. They are still continuing. But it does mean that Bangkok is now safer for tourists to visit. In particular, the main shopping area in Bangkok is now protest clear. At the moment, protesters are camping in Lumpini Park which is the new “Danger zone”. Other protesters are on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue and Chaeng Wattana near the Government Complex. Tourists are advised to stay away from rally sites and any large gatherings. If possible, also stay clear of government buildings. Keep up with the latest information on Twitter.
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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Pink markers are where people have been hurt or killed in the present or past (please note, these areas may be safe now if away from rally sites). Purple markers are main tourist attractions. Baskets are shopping areas. Red markers are rally sites. Flags are possible protest sites. This map is updated as and when there is an incident.
Rally sites at Phathumwan (MBK, Siam Square, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon), Ratchaprasong-Pratunam (Central World), Asoke (Terminal 21) and Sala Daeng (Silom) have been taken down. These shopping areas are now safe to visit. However, please be aware that Silom is close to the rally site at Lumpini Park. It’s advisable not to enter this park for safety reasons.
This is the new main rally site. It used to be on the road at Sala Daeng intersection and on Silom road. it is now inside Lumpini Park. It should be considered too dangerous for you to visit this park. However, hotels in this area should now be fine as well as shopping on Silom including Patpong Night Market.
This is the other rally site that is near an area used by tourists. Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue from Phan Fah Bridge (bottom right) all the way towards the Royal Plaza (the statue of King Rama V on a horse) should be considered off limits and dangerous.
Ratchadamnoe Klang from the Democracy monument (center of this picture) to Phan Fah Bridge is blocked to traffic. This should be considered a No-Man’s Land and therefore potentially dangerous. Police are not allowed to enter both of these zones and so the rule of law does not apply. If you enter, you are on your own. Ratanakosin Exhibition Hall on this road is closed. On the above picture I have circled Khao San road. This is far enough away to be safe but you should keep up with news on Twitter in case something happens. There was a serious clash at Phan Fah bridge in February and people were killed.
The other rally site is at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana. Foreigners only go to this area to visit Immigration. This is presently closed (see here for updates) and people should go to their offices at Imperial Ladprao or Major Suksawat instead.
Feel free to ask questions below or on my Facebook Page. But please read my latest tweets first and check the map.
Hi Richard! I’m wondering if it would be safe to go chatuchak tomorrow evening and go to DMK airport on saturday? Thanks.
I cannot see a problem with that as you can go by BTS or MRT to the market.
Dear Richard,
Greatly appreciate your work. In view of the latest developments yesterday, would it be advisable to visit Bangkok. My family (2 adults and one child) are scheduled to reach 19 May and we are now more than a bit confused. We were hoping to stay a week, the first two days along Sukhumvit Road and the next 5 at a small boutique hotel near Saphan Taksin skytrain station, close to ShangriLa.
Pl do advise if we should go ahead or not.
Thank you so much.
The river area has always been safe. So I would go ahead with Shangrila. About the situation in Bangkok, it is unfolding as we speak and the next few days will be crucial. Follow updates on Twitter.
Hi Richard! i’m planning on going to bangkok with my family and friend on june 2014. We will stay at Glow hotel pratunam, near the platinum fashion mall. Is it ok if stay there. n is it safe to travel to bangkok ?
As you can see from the map, there are no protesters in that area any more.
Hi Richard. Followed your twitter post in Jan (during the protests) and had a such a great stress free holiday thanks to your advice, that I wanted to travel to Bangkok again. But your posts show that it’s extremely hot right now! Would May be a better time to come or would you suggest I come in July. Travelling with a 10 month old and a 3 year old who don’t take heat very well. Also I had heard of re elections in May? Still safe to travel? Thanks!
Hi Richard,
These 3 tourist attractions border the red danger area around Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue in your map:
1) Dusit Palace Park
2) Wat Benchamabophit
3) Ratchadamnoen Stadium (I’m hoping to watch a Thai boxing match)
Would you recommend that I avoid these places?
Also, has there been any significant change in the situation at Golden Mount and Wat Saket since your response to elisabeth’s query posted here on March 3?
Your advice would be much appreciated. 🙂
At the moment it is all quiet and safe around the border of the rally site. Just don’t go inside.
Many thanks! 🙂
Hi Richard,
We(5 adults, 1 child, 1 infant) are planning to stay near pratunam mall and will be travelling to pratunam mall, siam centre, chatuchak, chinatown, etc. Is it safe for us to be there and around those areas from 28th April to 1st May…? (Flight Tickets bought..)
No problem as long as you stay away from Lumpini Park.
Hi Richard,
We will visit Bangkok on 25th April and also booked rooms at IBIS Bangkok Riverside, near Saphan Taksin. Is this hotel an OK hotel to stay? Pls kindly suggest me some good restauranrs because this hotel is far from malls. Thank you so much!
You only need to be concerned about hotels overlooking Lumpini Park. Don’t worry.
Hi Richard,
I am sure you are answering these questions, but, I have booked to stay at the Banyan Tree in July with my two young children. If you were me, would you change hotels?
Thanks for your help.
Amanda
I would say it is far enough away from Lumpini Park and the rally site to be safe.
Hi Richard,
We are staying at a hotel near Sathorn Sky Train stop on Silom line. We have a tour that meets at the Hua Lamphong station. I believe we have to change lines by Lumphini Park. Is this an OK route to take? We will have our children with us and want to avoid running into any protest activities.
Also, is a hotel by the Sathorn stop an OK area to stay?
thank you!
I cannot see any problem changing lines there. It is on the other side of the road to the park. Anyway, why don’t you just take a taxi? Might be more convenient. Just find one that is moving and not one parked outside your hotel.
Thank you for your suggestion. May I ask why we should avoid the taxi’s outside our hotel versus one moving perhaps down the street?
Also, it looks like chinatown around Yaowarat is a safe area per you map, is that correct?
Lastly, we have to transfer once between the DMK and BKK airports. Is it safe to use the public transfer bus they have available between the two airports now?
thank you!
There is no safety problem in Bangkok as long as you stay outside of Lumpini Park and any areas marked in red on the map. Taxis parked in front of tourist hotels are mor elikely to scam you. So, best to get one on the main road. Transport between the two airports has no problems.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the great info. I am planning my visit with family from 18th April till 25th April. I will be staying at The Narathiwas Residence, Sathorn. Will it be safe as the elections are are approaching on 27th April. also will travelling to Pattaya, Hua hin and Koh Samet be safe.
What elections? We just had the senate elections.
Hi Richard,
We will visit Bangkok on 30th April and also booked rooms at Sukhumvit road, near Terminal 21. I would like to ask you about Thailand political situation now because we’ll travel with babies so that safety is the most important thing. Thank you so much!
It is relatively quiet at the moment but we seem to be playing a “wait and see” game at the moment. No-one really knows what will happen next. I think the next big move is up to the courts but we don’t know when that will happen.
Thank you so much, Richard. Hope that this problem will be over soon.
Hi Richard will go going Bkk in two weeks time. May I know what colour of shirt should we avoid wearing to become “target” of protestor?. Also you mention 19-21 April is celebration of bangkok would there be water splashing like songran festival ? Do email me. Thanks
I don’t think tourists need to be concerned about colours as long as you stay away from protest sites. About the Bangkok celebration, there is no water splashing.
Hi Richard, Do you have any information that when tourist will start coming to bangkok like the way it was before? because i have listen that tourist are cut down by 25% and is indira square a good place to shop in bangkok…. please let me know about it…
Hi Richard – thank you for all of the great information regarding both the protests in Bangkok and your travels through the region. I am visiting Bangkok this coming weekend and have read in your updates that the protests have died down. That said – it seems like sporadic, seemingly random acts of violence have kept up through March causing harm to bystanders. I was hoping to hear your opinion on the safety of tourists in city now.
Thanks!
I am about to write a new blog to cover this. Yes, there are sporadic acts of violence like you said, but the general feeling is that it is safe. For people living there, we are more concerned about getting run over when crossing the road. Just don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time by being near protesters.
Got it – looking forward to the update. Thanks for the information!
Hi Richard, I understand the Songkran will be 12 to 16 Apr in Bangkok. Will they still splashing water after these dates?
No, Songkran water splashing is only 13-15 April. However, Mons play later. visit my thaitravelblogs.com website for more dates.
Hi Richard,
I’m heading to Bangkok end of next month. Is the protest still ongoing? How was the situation in Bangkok? any demonstration been carry out recently? thanks.
The best thing for you to do is read my latest tweets which are embedded on this page. Demonstrations have died down for now and are only in areas marked on the map.
Hi Richard,
I will visit platinum mall today, is it safe from protesters?
Could you suggest which BTS I should stop near the platinum mall?
Thank you
Yes, safe for sure. You can walk in from BTS Chidlom if you like or BTS Ratchathawi. It’s a bit of a walk but I’ve done it. Maybe 15 minutes.
Hi Richard, thanks for using your resources to keep the rest of the world updated! i’m heading to Bangkok in Late may so do you think the protest will shimmer down and what do you think if i am to get an apartment at 57 Soi Silom 9 or Sathorn 10, Bangrak, Silom / Sathorn would be alright with the current situation?
Sorry, no idea. it comes and go and people have just gotten used to it now. Not really a big deal.
Thanks a lot Richard. Appreciate!
Hi Richard, im heading to Bangkok (Pratunam area) for holiday on 26-30th of april do you think it is safe to travel or set my holiday spot there?
No reason why not. There are no rally sites in that area.
Hi Richard,
I am arriving 3/31 & staying by the airport. 4/1 I want to get to the train station, drop bags & visit Wat Pho before catching an evening flight from the domestic airport. I have been trying to figure out how best to manage this… Does it seem feasible to take a tuk tuk or taxi to the train station from Phaya Thai or Makkasan Airport express stops, or do you advise trying to do public transit?
[Airport train to Makkasan & walk to Petchaburi metro-would the walk be safe?
OR airport train to Phaya Thai, change to sky train to Siam, switch to Silom line to Silom (close to protests?), change to metro for train station. Seems complex jet lagged ]
I don’t think you need to be concerned about protesters. Why don’t you take the airport rail link to Makkasan and switch to MRT subway and go to Hua Lamphong. This is the closes it gets to Wat Pho. Or just take a taxi from Makkasan if you are feeling jet lagged.
Richard,
I appreciate your suggestions, I will take your advice.
And, I am booking a room through Agoda, connecting from you site.
Thanks!!
Hi Richard,
Thanks for all your updates. Do you know where the protest marches will be happening tomorrow and on Saturday? What time do they start?
Follow me on Twitter as I tweet as soon as I hear information.
Hi Richard,
I’ve booked a hotel near Pantip Plaza for March 29 – Apr 1, I can see that it’s not far from the protester area. Do you think I should find a hotel away from that area?
Your suggestion will be very helpful
What protest area? What map are you looking at?
Hi richard,
tomorrow i will be in bangkok for 01 night and stay in siam, and i have to catch the early morning flight the next day. can you inform me if the taxi is easy to get and safe if we are departing from hotel at 5am ?
look forward to your info.
Taxis run all night. Should be no problem. Or you can use the GrabTaxi app on smartphones to book 2 hours in advance. They have a special discount at the moment for going to the airport. I’m about to write a blog on this.
Hi Richard, thank you for reporting on the protests in Bangkok! We are staying in Bangkok for a few nights starting on March 28th. We booked our hotel to avoid Lumpini Park but in the last 24 hours protests seem to have mobilized again and we read there will be daily marches until elections this weekend. Do you know the route? We are considering skipping Bangkok altogether if the situation escelates but would hate to miss this opportunity if we can do it safely. Thanks again!
These marches are not to do with the senate elections. Advance voting last week went ahead with no protests. Same expected for this Sunday. The protesters are doing daily marches for about 3-4 hours to drum up support for their rally inside Lumpini Park on Saturday. It’s a one day rally. It is true that they are still occupying the park, but I think most people have forgotten about them. Out of sight. out of mind. Hence the marches to remind people this week. I don’t foresee any problems as long as you stay away from rally sites and any large gatherings you find.
Hi Richard, wanna ask if it is still safe to travel to bkk on 25th march? Will be staying at bandara suites hotel. Is the hotel safe to stay in? Because it’s near Lumpini park. Looking forward to your reply 🙂
I just checked the map and it seems to be far enough away from the park. Jusy don’t go near there, especially late at night. If worried, then find another hotel further away.
Richard- I traveling for work to the Lumpini Park area next week- staying at a hotel next to the park and walking to the hospital across the street. Any advice on how to navigate this area safely? What are the best ways in and out? (Taxi, subway, Skytrain…) Many thanks!
It is a question of playing it by ear and keeping a close eye on the news. All latest is tweeted on @191Thailand and breaking news on @RichardBarrow.
Hi Richard, I will be in and out if Bangkok around Songkran time. I was planning to stay near Saphan Taksin BTS as I’ve found this area convenient for travel around the city normally. I will be arriving April 14th in the evening, and wonder if this will be a good area on the 15th to get involved with Songkran celebrations? Also, I will be coming and going from Bangkok via Don Mueang. Are there protest related issues getting to or from the airport? So much of the information I’ve seen relates to BKK….I appreciate your insights….thanks
Songkran should still be taking place on the 15th but it will be the last day. There should be no problem with going to don Mueang Airport.
We are thinking to stay at Siam Kempinski Hotel and see that it is quite close to the Lumphini area – is this safe?
It’s far from Lumpini Park. Don’t worry.
Hi,I’m staying with children in Four Seasons Bangkok on 27/03. Is it safe there or shall i cancel my reservation. Many Thanks
No problem. Don’t worry.
I’m from Indonesia. My family and I will visit Bangkok around end of May.
I booked Berkeley Hotel Pratunam already for 3 days.
Is it safe to stay there?
Can you give us tips on what to do and where to go in Bangkok around that time?
Pratunam area is fine now.
A note of thanks, after a wonderful holiday in Thailand, for your map and Twitter comments on the Bangkok protests. Useful and (before we went) reassuring, we’ve found them a nice mix of up-to-date, on-the-ground observation and common sense.
Richard can you help me iam an Aussie my other half appears in terror lives in banthatathong road wang mai patham wan just on phone to her said she can’t get home protestors would this be right this area steve
Hi sir, I’m following your post everyday and it’s really informative. Truly appreciate your hard work. Do you think the Grand Palace is safe to visit? I can see it’s pretty close to the rally site on the map. Thanks.
It is safe. Thousands visit every day. But do keep up with the news on Twitter.
thank you so much for the information, Richard.
Hi Richard,
is it safe and far enough from Lumpini Park to stay in siam or shulumvit area?
thanks
Yes, Sukhumwit Road and Siam Square is far enough to be away from the protesters.
Thank you so much for your information!
Hi Richard,
I am still considering is i should go bangkok this saturday (22 March). May i know if its safe to stay near Airport Link Phaya Thai? And is it safe to go around baiyoke tower and also to Siam Square, Platinum and Chaktuchak? Thanks alot!
I presume you are not keeping up with the news. Protesters have moved inside Lumpini Park. Bangkok is now much safer for tourists.
Hi Richard,
I heard on the news that a man got hurt on Wireless road near Lumpini park. Is Oriental residence/Wireless road still be considered a safe area?
Thank you so much for your updates and map.
It was an attack on the protesters at about 2 a.m. last night. One was said to be inside the park and the other on Wireless Road which runs down the eastern side. There are two entrances to the park on that road. Personally I wouldn’t go anywhere that late at night. For sure I would steer clear of the rally sites and any entrances. Just use common sense and you will be safe.
Hi Richard, I would like to ask is prathunam , platinum mall safe to go?
Yep, like I mentioned in the blog above, the Pratunam area is now safe. Check the map for locations of the rally sites.
I’m staying in Bangkok middle of April, possibly Siam@Siam will this area be free of protests? I’ve seen many reviews saying they’re right outside the hotel.
That’s old news. Keep up to date by following me on twitter and checking my map.
Hi Richard!
Will be staying at Sofitel So on Sathorn Nuea Road, which is just off Lumpini Park (looks really near on google map) from 8 March till 9 March.
Was wondering if staying here would still be safe and if there is still taxi access.
Appreciate your help 🙂
There is taxi access. The roads are open there apart from the flyover. You should be alright. But if you are nervous then move elsewhere. It’s a big city.
Hello
I would like to ask if the area around the Bumrungrad International Hospital safe ?
As im going with my parents for treatment and will be staying in shama which is Located 10 minutes from Bumrungrad International Hospital
Thank you
No problem at all. I was there the other day.
Hi Richard,
If I-Residence Hotel Silom safe? (67 Nara Thivas Racha Nakarin Road, Soi 3, Silom / Sathorn, Bangkok). And if there is taxi access?
There is no problem and it has taxi access. Unless your hotel is in Lumpini Park you won’t have a problem 😉
Hi Richard, thanks for the great updates and wonderful news that things seem to have improved.
One quick question for you:
-is it safe to go southbound on wireless road as it becomes adjacent to Lumpini Park, or should even the roads adjacent to Lumpini be completely avoided?
I am just trying to get a sense if we should take “long” routes across the city to avoid even adjacent areas to Lumpini. Thanks so much.
I cannot see why you cannot drive down that road. No immediate danger. The US Embassy are on that road so security is tight.
Hi Richard,
I’ll be in Bangkok on 11-14 march. Until now, i’m still afraid of Bangkok situation remind that me and my husband will bring my 17 months baby. Is it safe if i go there or should i cancel my trip?.Please suggest me the most safe area for stay. Thank you.
The best thing for you to do is to keep an eye on the map. Just stay away from the areas marked in red. At the moment it is relatively calm.
thank you, Richard for your great info.
Hi sir,
Just want to check with u central world rally site has been removed and my hotel is just opposite which is arnoma hotel, Q & A: izzit fully safe..?
Yes, the rally stage at Ratchaprasong intersection has gone and this road is back to normal.
Hi Richard may I just check with you. Do you think the protestor will be back to the tourist shopping area if nearer the re election date on 27 April. Our group will coming on 18 April to 20 april2014. We are still consider to change our trip to Phuket if you think it will dangerous on the date we are coming.
It doesn’t look like it. But they are not exactly keeping to a script. So, no guarantees.
Hi Richard, Is it true that there’s no more shutdown in central bangkok & all the barricades have been completely removed?. The traffic now is back to normal as well as the major shopping mall are back in business?. Appreciate your kind input on this matter?. I will most probably resume my trip there in mid March, my hotel is in siam square area. Regards,
Bangkok Shutdown has finished as I mentioned in the blog at the top of this page. But the protests continue. They are just not occupying intersections any more.
Hi Richard, thanks for the updates. What’s the situation like around Centre Point Silom? My wife and I are arriving on Sunday and are booked in there.
No problem there at all. don’t worry.
Hi Richard, I’ll be in bangkok on 22nd March, i’ll stay in Grand Inn 2/7-8 Sukhumvit soi 3 ( Soi nana-nua ), Wattana, Bangkok, 10110 Bangkok, is it safe place to stay ? is it okay to go to platinum mall and MBK ? thanks.
Sukhumwit is all safe now as mentioned in my blog.
Dear Richard, thanks a lot for the great job you’ve done (and are still doing). I am high pregnant, coming here from Cambodia for delivery and will have friends visiting Bangkok for the very first time. I was planning to take BTS to National stadium (they cleared the rallye site, so no issue so far) to Sir Thompson house and then take the river taxi to Wat Saket and golden Temple. I remember I did this years ago, but cannot remember at all where the pier to the Golden mountain is, and looking to your map, this Wat is at the edge of the red marked zone. I was wondering if this is a good idea… and where the pier is (is it worth going out of the boat one stop earlier?) . Thank you very much. Best regards
The pier is Saphan Phan Fah. Yes, you are right, it is on the edge of the rally site. It is all quiet there at the moment. From where you get off, you then walk away from the rally site to get to the Golden Mount (you can see it). You should probably play that one by ear or go there by taxi.
Thanks for all of your great info. I appreciate that things can change and I will be monitoring your twitter feed but from your latest update, are you now saying that Siam square is ‘back to normal’? We are booked into Novotel on 26th March.
Correct, Siam Square and downtown Bangkok is back to normal. The protesters are now in Lumpini Park.
I apologize for the question, I have a reservation at the hotel Muse (700m north of the Lumphini park – Saranin Alley). Is this considered a safe distance from the protest side?
Thank you very much,
Luca
If it’s outside of Lumpini Park then you can consider it safe.