Thailand Lifts Curfew in Major Tourist Spots

4th Jun 2014

Residents and tourists alike can now move freely anytime of the day in three of the major tourist spots in the country following the lifting of the curfew there.

The government imposed curfew nationwide in May 22 two weeks after the removal of the country's Prime Minister from her office by the Supreme Court. It was aimed at ensuring safety of everyone during the transition period while the country is trying to get into its feet again after the mass protests across the country, this time staged by Red Shirts who support the ousted Prime Minister.

The curfew started with up to seven hours of restricted movement during nighttime, usually from 2200 to 0500 hours, and later brought down to 4 hours, from midnight to four in the morning.

Life in the popular tourist destinations of Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui is now back to normal, as announced recently by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The lifting of curfew in these popular tourist areas is necessary to prevent their local economy from declining as they are mostly dependent on tourism. It means so much to the economy of these areas because most of the business establishments only become active during nighttime. These include fine-dining restaurants, bars, and all-day/all-night activities that mostly appeal to foreign visitors.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand was more than happy with the lifting of the curfew in the said areas. Once again, tourists can do the usual business they want to do during their stay without time restrictions.

In other places of the country where curfew is still in effect, business establishments such as restaurants and retail shops adjusted their respective operating hours accordingly in order to allow their customers make full use of their time outside curfew.

All international airports in the country, though, remain open and keep their normal round-the-clock operating hours the whole time since the country plunged into political crisis November last year. While some airlines reduce frequency, operations of many airlines remain normal as usual prior to the crisis.

Most of the affected areas by the political crisis are found in the capital where the seat of the government is located.

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