“There has been no violence and everyone went to work and school as normal. Protesters from the different groups stayed in their respective rally sites. So, for the average tourist today, they probably didn't see any protesters and it is quite possible that they didn't spot any soldiers.”
Thailand’s Tourism Authority said the situation remains unchanged in the city “except for the presence of soldiers on the streets, simply to maintain peace and ensure order is kept at the protest sites.”
“The implementation of martial law has had no affect on transport and tourism attractions across the country,” a spokeswoman continued. “All public transport and tourist attractions, including airports, tourist sites and shopping malls, are currently open and operating as normal.
“There is currently no curfew in place in Bangkok or at any other tourist destination in Thailand. Local residents and international visitors can continue to travel within Bangkok and other destinations in the country as usual.”
The Foreign Office described an increased military presence in Bangkok and the neighbouring provinces in its advice for British travellers.
“Martial law supersedes the Internal Security Act, which had previously been imposed by the government,” it explained. “Martial law provides an enabling framework for the Royal Thai Army to take action it deems necessary to enforce law and order, and instructions can change rapidly.”
It described the situation as “evolving” however and advised Britons to “monitor local news and social media for developments. Allow extra time for journeys, including to the Bangkok airports.”
It continued to advise against visiting protest sites also, with the main anti-government rally site now at Ratchadamnoen Avenue and a smaller anti-government protest site at the government complex at Chaeng Watthana. The main pro-government protest site is at Utthayan Road in western Bangkok.
Richard Barrow has produced a useful map detailing the location of protest sites for tourists in Bangkok.
Hayes and Jarvis, a tour operator for Thailand, said it is closely monitoring the situation but that currently everything is operating as normal and that holidaymakers are going about their normal activities.
The government has downgraded its tourism prediction for 2014 from 28.4 million visitors to 26.3 million, blaming the unresolved political crisis.
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