Bangkok police urge drivers, pedestrians, to avoid Parliament area ahead of today’s protest

Police in Bangkok say motorists and pedestrians should steer clear of routes around the Parliament today or risk heavy congestion and road closures. The advice comes ahead of a planned rally in the capital, as Parliament begins a 2 day session to vote on draft charter amendments.

Already this morning there has been a protest from Royalist groups, clad in their yellow shirts, claiming that they don’t support any changes to the current constitution. Their group was around 100 people.

Jirasan Kaewsangeak from the Metropolitan Police Bureau warns that things will be even more hectic around the normally busy Samsen Road, as well as other routes in Bangkok’s Dusit district.

“The area around Parliament is normally jam-packed, especially during rush hour, and the protest will only worsen things. Please avoid these routes from 6am on Tuesday until the rallies end.”

Nation Thailand reports the affected routes as being:

• Samsen Road in front of Parliament
• Samsen Road from Bang Kra Beu to Kiak Kai intersections
• Pracharat Sai 1 Road from Kiak Kai to Bang Pho intersection
• Thahan Road from Kiak Kai to Saphan Daeng intersection

Police say drivers travelling from Bang Kra Beu to the Bang Pho intersection should use Amnuay Songkram Road, which leads to Rama V Road, Techa Wanich Road, Pracharat Sai 2 Road, and then the Bang Pho intersection.

Jirasan says officers will be on hand to ensure the traffic flows as smoothly as possible. For more information, road users can visit the traffic police website, but you will have to be able to read Thai.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand