What's a little Coup Among Friends

Seriously Thailand, you have been a big light at the end of a long tunnel this spring.  Yes, teachers too get giddy about summer vacation too.  Currently the situation in Thailand does not warrant any major changes in our plans.  One minor one we have emailed the Embassy and hope to receive instructions soon.  See, our flight into Bangkok is arriving at 10:55pm and there is a curfew starting at 10 pm, so after 40 hours of flying, we really would like to leave the airport and go to our hotel, which is a 45 min taxi ride.

With all that said, coups are apparently a pretty common way to transition to a new government in Thailand.  They have had 12 in recent history and no major violence has occurred with any of them.

Like I said, this is a big deal for us, so it is going to take more than a coup to keep us from going.  But please, lets keep things on the down low.

U.S. Embassy Bangkok

Emergency Message

Thursday, May 22, 2014

This message is to inform U.S. citizens that the Royal Thai Army has announced it has seized control of the administration of the country effective 4:30 PM on May 22, 2014.  Authorities have announced a countrywide curfew from 10PM to 5AM. U.S. citizens are advised to stay alert, exercise caution, and monitor media coverage.  You are advised to avoid areas where there are protest events, large gatherings, or security operations and follow the instructions of Thai authorities.

U.S. citizens are cautioned that even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid protest sites, demonstrations, and large gatherings. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media reports. You should allow extra time when travelling throughout the city or to/from airports. Consider using public transportation.

U.S. citizens who travel to or reside in Thailand are strongly advised to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) https://step.state.gov/step/. U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in case of an emergency.