Over the past few months, Thailand has once again become a political battlefield.
The People’s Democratic Reform Committee led by Suthep Thaugsuban has escalated its anti-government protests in a bid to topple the government.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called a House dissolution and an election was set for Feb 2, but the protesters have no trust in the Pheu Thai-led government and are insisting on reform before elections.
Protesters aim to paralyse Bangkok from today until they get what they want.
Although the shutdown aims to block operations of government agencies and to set up stages at seven key intersections in the capital, a severe impact on people, especially commuters, is inevitable.
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship plans to hold counter-rallies in several provinces today.
In Bangkok, notorious for its traffic jams, one car accident can cause gridlock. Noting this, concerns over the blockade have been rising and there are fears a prolonged shutdown will do great damage to the economy.
Prominent economists predict economic growth could plunge to only 2% this year if a new government cannot be formed or if the conflict drags on until the second quarter.
Thailand has experienced several serious blows in recent years including the red-shirt protests in 2010 and deadly floods in late 2011.
With strong economic fundamentals, the country survived those calamities — and many now hope it can come through the current turmoil relatively unscathed.
Banks and ATMs
• 260 branches near protest sites operate normally
• Managers authorised to close in case of emergencies
Banks have increased cash reserves to prepare for withdrawals at branches and ATMs near the protest sites.
SCB has 43 branches and standalone outlets in the areas and all except two at the Government Complex operate normally. Managers have the mandate to close them in case of emergency.
As well, KBank's 40 branches in the areas are ready to close if it is unsafe. Around 20% of the staff at the affected branches will not be able to go to work. KBank has prepared cash equivalent to one week's worth of withdrawals.
Hotels
• Of 552 hotels in Bangkok, 30 are downtown
Thirty downtown hotels reported a great number of cancellations by foreign tourists. They continue to provide normal services and prepared vans on standby around the clock to send guests to airports if requested. Security was also tightened.
Some five- and four-star hotels near the protest sites may reap a windfall as some protesters may want to book rooms to refresh themselves or stay the night.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand prepared the 1672 hotline for tourists around the clock. It has a central help centre for tourists at Hua Mark Sports Complex and small centres in Siam Square, Ekamai, Hua Lamphong Railway Station and Wong Wian Yai.
Transport
• Subway extends service to 2am from midnight
• Subway adds one station at maintenance centre on Rama IX Road
• Skytrain runs at full capacity with 50 trains
The subway and Airport Rail Link may extend service hours to 2am from midnight.
The skytrain brings all of its 50 trains on service today — 35 on Sukhumvit Line and 15 on Silom Line.
People may be able to pay cash for skytrain and subway tickets in addition to using vending machines.
Thirty-six parking lots for 18,000 cars around the city were prepared, mainly on Rama IX Road.
The Marine Department has increased the number of boats and the frequency of its services on the Chao Phraya River and Khlong Saen Saep. It also added a special boat service at 7 piers near mass-transit stations.
Airlines
• 60 flights cancelled
• 45 countries issued travel advisories
It will be business as usual at Bangkok's two air hubs and some 100 airlines operating through them. Operators of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have confirmed carriers continue to operate normally.
Airlines executives have also confirmed accordingly, saying there is no jittery reaction to warrant flight capacity or route adjustments although they have seen a slight drop in demand.
Carriers and related agencies have united to tackle the main immediate concern — passengers not being able to get to check-in soon enough, or not being able to enter the city.
They have enforced their own contingency plans to reduce impacts on air passengers while the two airports have been put on red alert to thwart the repetition of the seizure of the two airports in late 2008.
Though the PDRC last weekend came out to assert that it would not close the airports, the aviation industry continue to retain that possibility in the contingency plans which includes aircraft evacuation.
Food
• 200 fast-food restaurants near protest sites operate normally
• 7-Eleven doubles Bangkok inventory
Restaurants and major fast-food chains like McDonald's, Oishi, Chester's Grill, KFC, MK Suki and Pizza Hut open normally but some may be closed due to inconveniences.
They have stocked more raw materials and ingredients and set up central kitchens to deliver ingredients to outlets near the rally sites.
More staff are brought in to respond to higher food demand, especially food delivery. Ingredients will be sent to the restaurants at night to avoid traffic jams.
Like on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, restaurants near the protest sites are likely to see brisk business from protesters who take a break from time to time to dine and chat.
Manufacturing
• Most companies operate normally
• Relocation/contingency plans ready
The Federation of Thai Industries says most factories are located outside the capital so they are not affected by the rallies. Some Bangkok offices may be closed during the shutdown as companies turn to use temporary sites in other provinces.
Companies near protest sites let employees work at home or relocate to a backup location nearby. Most do not have long term plans and will wait and see how the situation unfolds.
The demonstrators have said they will not close sea ports and airports.
Some factories ordered raw materials and packaging products in advance to avoid possible disruptions.
Data and security
• Cloud backup internet system provided at commercial banks and gold shops
• Security beefed up at embassies, airports and other public spots
Most of some 200 gold shops in the Yaowarat area open but the owners will apply discretion if employees and potential buyers cannot get through the rally sites or violence occurs.
Communication
• Mobile capacities boosted
Mobile operators and internet service providers are prepared to deal with possible network congestions.
AIS installed two new mobile base stations and upgraded six existing bases on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and adjacent areas to accommodate anticipated massive amount of both voice and data traffic. A few small cell sites were also installed at main intersections including Ratchaprasong.
DTAC reallocated some data bandwidth for voice service in protesting areas and boosted network capacity.
True Move configured mobile equipment and network systems to support massive traffic.
All three sent teams to monitor network reliability nationwide. Technicians are also ready to deal with unexpected incidents. They also prepared power backup systems in case of power cuts at their facilities.
ISPs prepared their own backup systems and servers to enhance efficiency, network management and recovery systems.
Retail
• 45 department stores open normally
• Using public transport to access stores is advised
All modern-trade stores and malls open today but security is tightened at 88 outlets near the rally sites. Some may be closed if the situation worsens.
Shoppers are advised to use public transportation to go to the stores near the rally sites.
They have also increased inventories to avoid shortages and plan to refill shelves by small vans and motorcycles.
Brisk sales of everyday items and food are likely at convenience stores near the protest sites.
Online shopping services will source productsfrom unaffected branches.
Oil
• 73 petrol stations, 21 LPG pumps, 7 NGV stations near protest sites fully stocked
There are 53 petrol stations, mainly Esso and Shell, and 17 natural gas stations in the 2km radius of the rally sites.
They are ready to close if the situation deteriorates.
Delivery of petrol and natural gas by trucks in the capital will be allowed only in the early hours instead of during the night.
Esso trained employees at the five stations near the sites to deal with emergencies. It saw no need to increase their stock levels due to anticipated low demand.
Bangchak does not sell petrol at the affected petrol stations but other facilities such as toilets and minimarts open normally. Its stations in other areas were told to fill their tanks to avoid supply disruptions.
Utilities
• Raw materials sufficient
• Water supplies protected at embassies and government agencies
• Technicians on call around the clock at 18 electricity units
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority closes its Phloenchit Road head office and relocates to the Khlong Toey District office starting today.
Technicians are on standby. Its 24-hour hotline is 1130.
The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority has increased its workforce at the Bang Khen and Rama VI facilities to secure and ensure continuous water supply around the clock.
The utility also ensures water supply will not be cut for users near the rally sites with overdue payments of 2 months or more. Bill payments can be made at 18 MEA branches around Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathumthani or 7-Eleven stores. Its call centre is 1125.
Security is tightened at the North Bangkok power plant in Nonthaburi and the South Bangkok power plant in Samut Prakan.
