Curfew lifted in Pattaya, Phuket & Ko Samui

Issued at Bangkok at 17.30 hrs. (GMT+7) on 3 June 2014

Curfew has been lifted in three major tourist destinations including Pattaya, Ko Samui and Phuket as of today. The move demonstrates the commitment by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to promote tourism, which it identified as one of the key drivers for Thailand’s economic growth.

All other Thai destinations remain under a daily curfew (00.01-04.00 hrs.), but given the hours when most travellers are normally in the comfort of their accommodation, this has hardly stopped any visitors to Thailand from enjoying their days in the sun and taking in the sights of the kingdom’s temples, mountains and beaches.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wants to assure all tourists visiting the kingdom that tourism remains unaffected since the country was placed under the administration of the NCPO on 22 May 2014.

The TAT also wants to thank and show its heartfelt appreciation for everyone who has taken to social media sites to tell the world that, despite the widely reported and often sensationalised political situation here in the kingdom, it has been “business as usual” at all major tourist destinations.

Transport

All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways – Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai – are operating as per normal.

Airlines also continue to operate incoming and outgoing flights as per normal, but flight times may be adjusted. Travellers are advised to check with their respective airlines before travelling.

Other modes of transport, by road, rail and waterway, are also operating as per normal throughout Thailand.

Tourism-related businesses and services

As stated above, all tourism-related businesses and services (hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centres, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, as well as banks, petrol and gas stations) throughout Thailand are open and operating as per normal. Telephone and internet services continue to be available 24 hours.

In Bangkok, a sense of normality has returned to all areas and while there is a limited military presence on certain streets it is hardly visible.

In Phuket, Ko Samui and Pattaya, where the curfew has been lifted, all tourist businesses and services especially nighttime entertainment venues are expected to resume their normal operating hours as of tonight. By law, bars should be closed at 01.00 hrs. and discos at 02.00 hrs.

In other popular tourist destinations including Hua Hin, Khao Lak (Phang-nga) and Krabi, all tourism-related businesses and services are operating as per normal. There is hardly any military presence in these major beach destinations. 

- See more at: http://www.tatnews.org/curfew-lifted-in-pattaya-phuket-ko-samui/#sthash.VlJaDyJJ.dpuf