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FCO: Changes to travel advice for Bangkok

26th October 2011 The UK Foreign Office have released the following update:

FCO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok and the twenty-six provinces in Thailand currently affected by widespread flooding.

This reflects the large volume of flood water expected to reach Bangkok later this week, which is likely to disrupt transport, close tourist attractions and may affect electricity and water supplies.

The Government of Thailand has announced a public holiday in all flood-affected areas, including the city of Bangkok, to run from 27 to 31 October. Some services may not be available during this period.

We are advising British nationals already in Thailand to exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities if the area that they are in is flooded. The FCO will also keep its travel advice under constant review.

See our travel advice for Thailand

Travel through Suvarnabhumi International airport and on to other destinations in Thailand including Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui, is operating as normal.

The advice against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok does not include transit through Suvarnabhumi airport, although Don Muang domestic airport closed on 25 October due to the effects flooding.

Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said:

“Our thoughts continue to be with the people of Thailand at this difficult time and in the face of unprecedented flooding.

“However, as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has now said that waters will reach the capital, we have updated our travel advice to reflect the worsening situation.

A dedicated team has been set up in the British Embassy Bangkok, led by the Ambassador, to deal with any new developments and oversee assistance to any British nationals who need it. Thai authorities are closely monitoring the progress of the floods and the public can get further information by calling their Government call centre or by checking the FCO website.