American Citizens Services Newsletter

Public Announcement - Thailand

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert U.S. Citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of a series of bombs that exploded in the Bangkok metropolitan area during the evening of December 31, 2006 and shortly after midnight on January 1, 2007. This announcement will expire on January 31, 2007.

At approximately 1800 hours on December 31, 2006, bombs exploded at five different locations throughout Bangkok, including Bangkok's Victory Monument, various police traffic control booths, and in the parking lot of a shopping mall. These bombs killed three Thai citizens and injured over two dozen additional Thai citizens.

Shortly after midnight on January 1, 2007, two additional bombs exploded near the World Trade Center shopping mall on Rama 1 Road in Bangkok's main shopping district. One bomb exploded near a pedestrian footbridge and the second in a beer garden. Bangkok's largest New Year's celebration, the "Bangkok Countdown," was to be held at this location, but had been cancelled by local authorities after the bombings earlier that evening. Six foreign tourists and an unknown number of Thai citizens were injured in these bombings.

The U.S. Embassy has confirmed that no Americans were injured or killed in any of the bombings. Additionally, the bombings appear to be limited to the Bangkok area. No incidents have been reported in any cities outside of Bangkok, including Chiang Mai and the popular beach resorts in Thailand.

Given the fluidity of the current situation, the Department of State advises all American Citizens residing in or traveling to Bangkok to continue to monitor events closely, to remain indoors when possible, to avoid any large public gatherings, and to exercise discretion when moving about Bangkok.

The Department of State and the Embassy in Bangkok are continuing to follow developments closely. For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). American citizens traveling or residing in Thailand are encouraged to register with the Department of State or the U.S. Embassy. The Embassy is located at 95 Wireless Road in Bangkok. The American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy can be reached by calling 66-2-205-4049 and by e-mail at ACSBKK@State.gov. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at http://travel.state.gov.

 

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Last modified: January 3, 2007