Deadly blasts in Thai beach resorts
Four people are dead and many more injured after a series of blasts in Thai tourist resorts.
In what seems to be a coordinated attack targeting popular holiday spots, multiple explosions have gone off in Hua Hin, Surat Thani, Patong on Phuket island, Trang and Phang Nga.
Security has been stepped up in key locations across the country, including tourist resorts and airports.
Tourism officials reassured visitors that all airports, as well as modes of transport nationwide, continue to be operating normally, but advised travellers to prepare adequate travelling time to avoid getting caught in traffic due to large movements of people during this long-weekend holiday period.
"TAT is monitoring and assessing the tourism situation and will be providing further details as the situation develops," said a statement.
"In the meantime, we would like to encourage travellers to obtain information from various sources to get a balanced understanding about the reality on the ground in Thailand, so that they can plan their trips accordingly."
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are in close contact with local authorities and urgently seeking more information."
It advised visitors to exercise extreme caution, avoid public places, and follow the advice of local authorities. If also urged travellers in Thailand to contact family and friends to let them know they’re safe.
Foreign tourists are believed to be among the victims.
The first bombs went off in Hua Hin just before midnight local time, near to a bar.
It is believed they were hidden in plant pots and detonated by mobile phones within half an hour of each other. Some reports said bombs contained ball bearings to inflict more injuries.
All bars and clubs were closed and evacuated following the blasts.
No group has claimed responibility for the attacks, but Thailand has been suffering a 12-year conflict with separatist insurgents which has already seen more than 6,000 people killed.
This is the first time tourist locations have been deliberately targeted. The attacks have apparently also been timed to take place as the country celebrates the birthday of its Queen.
ABTA said August is the tourist low season in Thailand, with most British holidaymakers going in the winter months when the weather is at its best.
"ABTA is aware of only very small numbers of customers on holiday with its members," said a spokeswoman.
"However, Thailand is a popular destination for backpackers and independent travellers; and in 2015 there were 320,000 holiday visits to Thailand by British people."
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised visitors to avoid public places in the vicinity of the attacks and follow the advice of local authorities.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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