Thai transport services continue as usual despite martial law imposition

BANGKOK, May21 (TNA) - Transport agencies have been ordered to maintain their public services as usual despite the nationwide imposition of martial law, taking effect from May 20, as of 3am. Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt made the instruction when chairing a meeting with his transport subordinates in Bangkok on Wednesday. Chadchart also set up a transport coordination center, headed by Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Soithip Trisuddhi, to work with the martial law-exercising Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC), headed by Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha. Chadchart said that the center will offer support to the POMC, including bus services to send demonstrators home. Chadchart told the meeting that the martial law imposition has positive impacts on local transport, as it contains demonstrations and, thus, facilitates people's travels. According to the caretaker transport minister, he will send his concerns to the POMC, namely demonstrators' seizure of government offices and road blockage and he will also ask the POMC to explain its ad-hoc missions to foreign embassies in Thailand to prevent negative impacts on Thai Airways International (THAI), the national flag carrier, and Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT). The caretaker transport acknowledged that some foreign countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have issued travel advisories about the situation in Thailand. AOT, meanwhile, reported that the number of international travelers passing Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport dropped by 5-10 per cent, to about 120,000 daily, during domestic political demonstrations over the past six months. (TNA)