The morning after, the streets are quiet with most people staying at home with family.  Over night protesters set buildings a blaze in and around the protest site.  There is an uneasy calm on the streets of Bangkok.  We have received reports that the authorities will be extending the curfew for another night.

We are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our passengers and our staff on the ground here in Bangkok. For updates please refer to our website http://www.intrepidtravel.com/quicklink/ourtrips/safety/#Thailand .

The authorities have imposed a curfew on Bangkok from 8pm to 6am.  The protests areas are being cleared however sadly some elements of the protest group have attacked buildings in Bangkok setting them on fire.  As darkness falls the authorities have broadcast on local TV to explain the reasoning behind the curfew and asked for understanding as they bring control back to the capital. The government has provided transport for protesters who wish to return home.

Leaving the office tonight, the traffic was incredibly light as people remained indoors as the curfew approached.  A public holiday has been declared through to the end of the week. All of us are home with our families and hoping that tomorrow brings a new dawn for Thailand and the country starts down the road to reconciliation. 

As always we continue to monitor the situation in Bangkok.  For more information on our tours please refer to Intrepid's website www.intrepidtravel.com .

The Red Shirt leaders have turned themselves into police and the authorities have just made a broadcast on local  TV that the situation has now been brought under control by the security forces.

Intrepid have taken some precautionary action that involves the cancellation of tours starting in Bangkok until 31st May, for more information please refer to http://www.intrepidtravel.com/quicklink/ourtrips/safety/#Thailand .

This morning troops moved armoured vehicles into the protest area and there has been reports of gunfire around the Silom area.  Driving into work today I could see plumes of smoke off in the distance in the direction of the protest site as protesters continue to burn tyres.  Despite the violence having spread to other parts of Bangkok, a majority of the city remains calm and safe, where you can travel around freely.  The situation is receiving 24 hour coverage on the local news along with regular updates on local TV from the authorities.

We continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to our travellers that are here in Bangkok.  For more information on Intrepid trips in Thailand please visit the safety update section of the Intrepid Travel website at http://www.intrepidtravel.com/quicklink/ourtrips/safety/ .

As the stand off continues between security forces and the protesters, today is another public holiday...this time declared by the government due to the violence.  It means that coming into work today the traffic was very light.  Sitting here 7km or more from the violence it is surreal...we're all going about our normal lives and looking ahead.  Our local staff, leaders and suppliers are all worrying about their futures and hoping that once the current situation is resolved that the industry bounces back quickly and people return to Thailand to help support them.

The violence continues in Bangkok and has spread to a number of locations outside the protest zone.  Despite none of these locations being near Intrepid's hotels we have taken the precautionary step of cancelling some tours that are due to start in the next few days - for full details please visit our website at www.intrepidtravel.com and refer to the Safety Updates section.

We continue to monitor the situation as the safety of our passengers and staff is of great importance to us.  As previously stated the Intrepid hotels are not near the areas that are affected as is our office.

The stand off continues in the protest site area. The army considered imposing a curfew around the affected area today however decided against it sighting the fact they feel they have the situation under control.  There have been calls for protesters to leave the sight immediately we offers of transport to return them to their homes.

The skytrain and underground train services remain suspended as they pass through the affected area however public buses continue to operate in all other parts of Bangkok and the public transport infrastructure out of Bangkok to the provinces (buses and trains) remains unaffected and the airports remain fully operational.

Intrepid's operations team on the ground here continue to monitor the situation on a continuous basis.