internationalsos.com - Press releases

International SOS and Control Risks Respond to Bangkok Crisis

International SOS and Control Risks have assisted 36 members to depart Bangkok via Rayong to Kuala Lumpur, using a private air charter service. Both organizations continue to actively assist our members with evacuation planning and logistical arrangements as well as advice to those who remain in the country for essential reasons. Approximately 100,000 foreign tourists are believed to be stranded in the country due to the ongoing blockade of the international airport by protesters. Civil aviation officials have announced that U-Tapao International Airport (UTP), Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX), Phuket International Airport (HKT), Phitsanulok Airport (PHS), Khon Kaen Airport (KKC), Surat Thani Airport (URT), Hat Yai International Airport (HDY) and Krabi Airport (KBV) could be used by international carriers.

International SOS and Control Risks convened a regional crisis management team and deployed an operations team comprising medical, security and logistics experts to provide additional support to the 24-hour International SOS Bangkok alarm center. The situation is being closely monitored through the travel security services team and is providing 24/7 support to members. 

Travel Advice to our Members
International SOS and Control Risks are updating clients with travel advice regularly to assist them with preparing and responding to the crisis. They advise that travel to Thailand can continue, however, members on essential travel in Bangkok should apply the following precautions:

• Contact their airline to confirm the status of their flight and obtain the latest information on airport access.
• Reconfirm all relevant travel arrangements and access to transport services. 
• Avoid all protests because of the risk of exposure to incidental violence.
• Maintain frequent contact with family and management staff to communicate location and further plans  
• Monitor local media sources and our Travel Security Online site
  for the latest information.          

About International SOS
Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) helps organisations manage the health and safety risks facing their travellers and global workforce. Its services range from consultancy and planning services to 24-hour medical and security advice and assistance. It also provides emergency medical and security evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or civil unrest. Last year, the company handled over 810,000 assistance cases, including more than 16,000 evacuations.

Under a joint venture launched earlier this year, International SOS, the world's leading integrated provider of medical assistance, international healthcare and security services and Control Risks, the world's leading independent security and business risk consultancy, have joined forces to offer comprehensive travel security services to their clients.