A series of explosions which took place tonight just outside the Dusit Thani, which is along Silom Road, were described as “very scary” by a hotel employee, Business Traveller managed to speak to briefly.
She said: “It happened by the side of our building. We’ve told all the guests to stay in and not go out.”
Dusit Thani Bangkok and Courtyard by Marriott, two hotels located in the midst of anti-government encampments, have not shut down operations completely nor relocated their guests to other parts of the city (see news), but continue to house the minority that have chosen to stay.
The violence has shut down four skytrain stations from Sala Daeng to the National Stadium. The underground trains are still running only from Bangsue to Queen Sirikit Convention Centre.
The Bangkok Post recorded three dead and 75 injured.
According to the Dusit executive, occupancy these past weeks has been extremely low, with today at 40 percent.
The Courtyard by Marriott in the Ratchaprasong area, where there is a concentration of deluxe properties still has guests, but is not taking any bookings “until further notice”, a front desk staff said.
The neighbouring Four Seasons Hotel is still open but has closed down four of its restaurants.
For days, talk has been rife that the Thai military are to move aggressively against the anti-government "Red Shirts" and end their siege once and for all.
Margie T Logarta