Don’t be afraid to come, says Thailand as State of Emergency is declared
Thailand tourism officials in the UK insist that it is still safe for holidaymakers to visit Bangkok, despite the 60-day State of Emergency announced today after anti-government protests turned violent.
Hours after the declaration, pro-government leader Kwanchai Praipana was shot and wounded at a drive-by shooting at his home in the northeast of Thailand.
The State of Emergency, which gives the government wide powers to deal with public disorder – including imposing curfews and ruling parts of Bangkok off limits – will continue until after the General Election next month.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand UK PR manager Joanna Cooke said of the declaration: "This simply allows the Thai government more flexibility to protect and govern its citizens in a bid to control the ongoing political unrest in the capital."
She said a curfew has not been announced yet.
Cooke added: "We would like to reassure tourists that this sounds much worse than the actual current situation in the city."
The Foreign Office (FCO) has updated its travel advice for Bangkok, warning that political demonstrations continue in and around the capital and elsewhere in Thailand, some of which have been violent and resulted in casualties and deaths.
"The situation is unpredictable and further protests are expected," it said.
The FCO said an escalation in protests in central Bangkok since January 13 is causing significant disruption to roads in affected areas, with knock-on effects across the city.
However, there are no travel restrictions in place and the TAT said: "Bangkok and the rest of Thailand continue to welcome tourists as normal. Our advice stands that tourists should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place."
It has incorporated a map of protest sites and areas to avoid on its website.
Cooke said that contrary to news reports the protests did not seem to be having a significant impact on bookings for Thailand. She said only two out of five tour operators she spoke to last week reported a decrease in sales for Thailand year on year.
"The rest are showing very good growth still," added Cooke. "Those that are down may even be a result of destination campaigns they are running for other countries rather than the political situation in Bangkok or the fact that another operator has taken market share that particular week.
"Worst case, tourists are changing their itinerary to take out the Bangkok element and add on nights elsewhere but they are not cancelling their holidays or being deterred from travelling to Thailand overall."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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