The ongoing political deadlock in Thailand will not halt the redevelopment of Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok it was confirmed earlier, with plans to build a third runway to proceed. The £1.1 billion aviation project will also see three provincial airports added across the country.

Qatar Airways will boost services to Thailand with the introduction of non-stop flights to Phuket, effective October 26th, 2014. The airline currently serves the Doha – Phuket route daily via a linked service through the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Skal International, the largest association of tourism professionals covering all branches of the industry, has decided to show its support for the Thai tourism industry by maintaining the meetings of its Executive Committee and International Skal Council in Bangkok at the end of this week.

The Royal Thai Army has announced a coup d’etat and taken over government. In a televised statement to the people earlier, the army chief said the military would restore order and enact political reforms after months of disagreement. Members of the interim cabinet, the leader of the street protestors over the last six months and the leader of the grass roots red shirts have been arrested and detained.

The Thai Government has confirmed it will impose a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and neighboring provinces as of today in response to protests and to cope with unrest. However, Thai Airways has reassured passengers the country remains a safe tourism destination.

Thai authorities and the tourism industry have prepared measures to facilitate travel of tourists to Bangkok during the planned massive anti-government demonstrations, starting from yesterday, 13 January 2014.