Protests and Crowds Near Campus: Staying Safe

Tha Prachan campus sits close to Sanam Luang and other places sometimes used for public gatherings. This is safety guidance only.

At a glance

Alert level: Warning

Do this first

If you see or hear a crowd forming, move away calmly in the opposite direction. Do not walk toward it to look.

Key numbers

If you see or hear a crowd forming, move away calmly in the opposite direction. Do not walk toward it to look.
Leave the area early rather than waiting to see what happens.
Head to a safe indoor space: a classroom building, the library, or a nearby shop or café away from the gathering.
Tell someone (a friend, housemate, or family member) where you are and that you are safe.
Check official Thammasat and Faculty channels before deciding whether to go to, or stay on, campus.
Keep your phone charged and your student ID or passport with you.

Move indoors and away from gates, courtyards, and the riverside promenade if a crowd is forming nearby.
Follow instructions from faculty staff and security.
Avoid gathering at windows or gates to watch what is happening outside.
If class is in session and a situation develops outside, wait for guidance from your instructor or the faculty before leaving the building.

If you are heading toward campus and hear of a demonstration nearby, change your route or postpone your trip.
Use a different route home if your normal route passes near Sanam Luang or another gathering point. Consider the Chao Phraya Express boat, alternative piers such as Wang Lang or Tha Chang, or side streets away from the main crowd routes.
Avoid the main roads immediately around Sanam Luang, Ratchadamnoen, and the Grand Palace area when a gathering is reported there.

Stay calm. Do not run or push. Move steadily toward the edges of the crowd, not the middle.
Move in the same general direction as the crowd flow rather than against it, while working your way toward open side streets.
Keep away from barricades, security lines, and any point where two groups are facing each other.
If the crowd becomes dense, keep your arms crossed in front of your chest for protection and move diagonally, not straight across, to reach the edge.
If a chemical irritant such as tear gas is used, move upwind, cover your nose and mouth with a cloth, avoid rubbing your eyes, and get to fresh air as soon as possible. Once safe, flush your eyes and skin with clean water and remove affected clothing if you can.
Once clear, go to a safe indoor location and let someone know you are okay.

Minor cuts or scrapes: clean with water, cover with a clean cloth or bandage, and seek proper first aid or medical care when it is safe to do so.
Someone who has fainted or is struggling to breathe in a crowd: help them to open space with fresh air, loosen tight clothing, and call 1669 (EMS) if they do not recover quickly.
Chemical irritant exposure to eyes or skin: flush with plenty of clean water for several minutes, avoid rubbing, and seek medical attention if irritation continues.
This is general awareness only, not a substitute for first aid training or professional medical care. For any serious injury, call 1669 immediately.

Follow Thammasat University's and the Faculty of Political Science's official Facebook pages for real-time updates on campus access and class arrangements.
Follow Royal Thai Police and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announcements about planned demonstrations and road closures.
Check traffic and transit apps before heading out if a gathering has been announced nearby.

Avoid demonstrations even as an observer. Being a bystander can still carry legal or physical risk.
Contact your embassy if you have concerns and follow their guidance.
Keep your passport and visa documents accessible in case you need to show identification.
Monitor your government's travel advisory, which is sometimes updated during periods of unrest.

Do not join, photograph up close, or livestream a demonstration out of curiosity.
Do not argue or engage with anyone on any side of a demonstration.
Do not walk through or linger near a security checkpoint or line.
Do not share unverified rumours about violence or arrests. Confirm with official sources first.

Wait for confirmation from official channels that the area is clear before resuming your normal route.
Report any lost items or safety concerns to the appropriate office once it is safe to do so.

birsa@tu.ac.th
birstudentassociation@gmail.com
Phone: 02-221-6111 ext. 3409
Address: BIR, Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University, 2 Prachan Road, Bangkok 10200
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This is general guidance from a student-run site. In an emergency, always follow the instructions of the emergency services and Thammasat University.