As Thailand is moving forwards national reconciliation and reforms under the administration of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), a series of positive developments and measures have been introduced and enforced to help improve the experience of travellers and tourists visiting the kingdom.
 
Among the measures include the NCPO's plan to computerise the taxi queues at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in an effort to cut down on illicit control of cab operations and the clampdown on illegal airport taxi operations in Phuket.

The council also ordered a clear-out of more than 100 businesses operating along the beachfronts at Surin, Bang Tao, Laypang and Layan Beaches in Phuket, in an attempt to return the areas to their natural pristine states.
 
The above measures did not have any impact on the tourism in Thailand. On the contrary, they are seen as the way forward in reinforcing Thailand's status as a welcoming tourist destination.
 
Thailand is always ready to welcome tourists to come here to enjoy their days in the sun and taking in the sights of the temples, mountains and beaches, as well as treating themselves to the many fine-dining, nightlife, spa treatment and shopping for which the country is famous.
 
Thai people throughout the country are also waiting to greet visitors with a friendly smile.
 
Q &As- Thailand Update
 
Q: What is the latest update on the tourism situation in Thailand?
 
All tourism-related businesses and services in destinations throughout the kingdom have resumed normal operations following the lifting of nationwide curfew as of 13 June 2014.
 
Q: What is the overall situation at Thai tourist destinations since the country was placed under the administration of the NCPO on 22 May 2014?
 
It's business as usual at all tourist destinations in Thailand. There is hardly any military presence in major tourist destinations.
 
Q: There have been clampdowns by the NCPO at various tourist destinations including Bangkok and Phuket. Would that affect Thailand's tourism?
 
On the contrary, they are seen as the way forward in reinforcing Thailand's status as a welcoming tourist destination.
 
Among the measures include the NCPO's plan to computerise the taxi queues at Suvarnabhumi International Airport is seen as the way forward in create a good impression of Thailand among tourists at the country's doorstep. The same goes for the clampdown of illegal taxi operations in Phuket.
 
The council also ordered a clear-out of more than 100 businesses operating along the beachfronts at Surin, Bang Tao, Laypang and Layan Beaches in Phuket, which will help return the areas to their natural pristine states, and attract more tourists.
 
Q: What are the implications of this latest coup on Thailand's tourism-related businesses and services?
 
Tourism remains unaffected by the current political transition period.
 
All tourism businesses and services are operating as per normal. 
 
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.

Q: Have there been any changes made to the visa policy and procedure for visitors wanting to visit Thailand during the current political transition period?
 
No, there are no changes to the visa policy and procedure.
 
For visa application and procedure, tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual at Royal Thai Embassy and Consulates worldwide.
  
For visa-on-arrival, all international checkpoints – airports, border checkpoints and sea ports – are open and operating as per normal.
 
Q: Will tourists visiting Thailand during the current during the current political transition period be covered by travel insurance?
 
Travel insurance policies may differ from company to company. Under many circumstances, it is best to check directly with the respective insurance firms.  
 
Q: How massive do you think that this latest political movement in Thailand will have on the country's tourism revenue and visitor numbers?
 
We are closely monitoring the situation, and will be releasing out estimation once we have gathered all necessary information. We would like to inform tourists and the tourism industry that all concerned public and private agencies will exercise utmost efforts to ensure tourist's convenience. 
 
However, we do think that the impact is not so strong because the tourists understand the situation that the political events are hardly affected their schedules.

For more information and or to read the daily updates, visit: TAT Newsroom – Thailand Tourism Situation Update. www.tatnews.org

Useful contact numbers:

Tourist's Friend Centre +66 (0) 2314 1212
TAT Call Centre 1672
Tourist Police Call Centre 1155
Traffic Police Call Centre 1197
BMTA (city bus and van service) Call Centre 1348
BTS Hotline +66 (0) 2617 6000
MRT Customer Relations Center +66 (0) 2624 5200
SRT (train service) Call Centre 1690
Transport Co., Ltd., (inter-provincial bus service) Call Centre 1490
AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722
Suvarnabhumi Airport Operation Centre (temporary) +66 (0) 2132 9950 or 2
Don Mueang Airport Call Centre +66 (0) 2535 3861, (0) 2535 3863
Thai Airways International Call Centre +66 (0) 2356 1111
Bangkok Airways Call Centre 1771
Nok Air Call Centre 1318
Thai AirAsia Call Centre +66 (0) 2515 9999

June 20: Tourism is back in full swing in Thailand.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that tourism in Thailand is back in full swing as the kingdom is moving forwards national reconciliation and reforms;

Several pro-tourism policies have been introduced by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), currently overseeing Thailand's administration, including measures to address long-term hindrances such as taxi management at airports in key destinations.

TAT wants to assure all tourists visiting the kingdom that "it's business as usual in Thailand" and that all tourism-related businesses and services as well as all airports throughout Thailand, including at key destinations including Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ko Samui, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai and Krabi are operating as per normal.

Thailand is always ready to welcome tourists to come here to enjoy their days in the sun and taking in the sights of the temples, mountains and beaches, as well as treating themselves to the many fine-dining, nightlife, spa treatment and shopping for which the country is famous.

Thai people throughout the country are also waiting to greet visitors with a friendly smile.

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.

Thailand Situation Updated: Nationwide curfew lifted from 13 June 2014.

The nationwide nighttime curfew in place since 22 May 2014 is to be lifted as of 13 June 2014; 

The announcement from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), currently overseeing Thailand's administration, has been welcomed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), as it marks a return to normality for the country's tourism industry.
 
The nighttime curfew had already gradually been revoked in provinces and destinations popular with tourists, such as Pattaya, Phuket, Ko Samui, Krabi, Hua Hin, Cha-am and Phang-nga, ensuring that visitors to the kingdom would not be inconvenienced and would be free to sample Thailand's many attractions.
 
The lifting of the nighttime curfew (midnight to 4 a.m.) has been expected for some time as the situation in the country is calm and everyday life is going on as normal for tourists as well as local residents.
 
It is not expected that any further curfews will be imposed so visitors can continue to enjoy their days in the sun and taking in the sights of the temples, mountains and beaches, as well as treating themselves to the many fine-dining, nightlife, spa treatment and shopping for which Thailand is famous.
 
This nationwide lifting of the curfew is also good news for restaurants, entertainment venues and other tourism-related businesses, as well as Thailand's tourism industry as a whole.
 
Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, "The nationwide lifting of the curfew shows the world that things are moving forward here in Thailand and that tourism has not been disrupted."
 
"This latest announcement by the NCPO should help reassure everyone coming for a holiday in Thailand or to enjoy the country's shopping, dining and nightlife attractions that it's business as usual and that the famous Siamese smile has not dimmed."

It's business as usual in Thailand - June 13, 13:00 hrs.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wants to assure all tourists visiting the kingdom that 'it's business as usual in Thailand' and that tourism remains unaffected by the current political transition period.
 
Thailand is always ready to welcome tourists to come here to enjoy their days in the sun and taking in the sights of the temples, mountains and beaches, as well as treating themselves to the many fine-dining, nightlife, spa treatment and shopping for which the country is famous.
 
All tourism-related businesses and services (hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, entertainment venues, cinemas, convention centers, shopping malls, superstores, convenient stores, as well as banks, petrol and gas stations) throughout Thailand are open and operating as usual. Telephone and internet services continue to be available 24 hours.
 
All airports throughout Thailand, including at key international gateways - Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang), Phuket, Ko Samui, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai – as well as other modes of transport (road, rail and waterway) are operating as per normal. Airlines also continue to operate incoming and outgoing flights as per normal.
 
Some parts of the country is under a four-hour night curfew, which has been imposed to ensure the safety of everyone during the current political transition period for the kingdom, and the uncertainly that this may entail.
 
The TAT would like to inform all visitors to Thailand that many major tourist destinations in the kingdom (as listed below) are not under curfew in accordance to the pro-tourism policy by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which has gradually lifted curfew in phases since 3 June 2014.
 
Central Region: Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi and Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan
 
Northern Region: Mae Hong Son, Tak, Nan, Phrae, Sukhothai and Uttaradit
 
Western Region: Kanchanaburi

Northeastern Region: Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Roi Et, Sakhon Nakhon and Surin
 
Southern Region: Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Trang, Satun, and Hat Yai, Sadao and Mueang districts of Songkhla, as well as Ko Samui and Ko Phangan districts (including Ko Tao) of Surat Thani

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi, Rayong, Trat and Pattaya City of Chonburi
 
In other destinations, including Bangkok and Chiang Mai, life continues as normal and all tourism-related businesses and services are operating as per normal. Tourists can continue to enjoy the many fine-dining and nightlife, provided that they observe the curfew time from midnight to 4 a.m.
 
For visa application and procedure, tourists can continue to apply for visa as usual at Royal Thai Embassy and Consulates worldwide. For visa-on-arrival, all international checkpoints – airports, border checkpoints and sea ports – are open and operating as per normal.
 
Thailand is always a welcoming tourist destination. Tourists visiting the country are welcome to enjoy the wide variety of attractions, ranging from unique culture, abundant natural beauty and remarkable variety of activities, including soft adventure, spa, shopping and medical tourism, as well as year-round unique celebrations and festivals.
 
TAT would like to thank everyone who has used social media sites to inform people around the world that the tourism situation in Thailand is "business as usual".