TAT fumes over UK’s new travel warning
LONDON – The Tourism Authority of Thailand has slammed Britain’s decision to warn its citizens against travel to any part of Thailand.
TAT and the Royal Thai Embassy have requested an urgent meeting with the UK Foreign Office to discuss removing the blanket warning.
On Wednesday, the Foreign Office’s advice that Britons should avoid all but essential travel to Bangkok – scene of violent political protests by the red shirts – was extended to the whole of the country.
New Zealand has also slapped a new travel advisory on Thailand, even to the point of telling NZ citizens already in the country to get out.
The London Daily Telegraph said the decision leaves hundreds of holidaymakers with little choice but to cancel or postpone their trips, even if they are not travelling to Bangkok, where the vast majority of protests have occurred.
Around 812,000 British travellers visit Thailand each year.
“We accept the advice against travelling to Bangkok,†said a spokeswoman for TAT. “Although the protests are not aimed at tourists, there is major disruption. But we do believe it is excessive to advise against travel to the rest of the country.â€
The UK travel association, ABTA, has warned that travel insurance policies would not cover those who had gone to Thailand aware of the Foreign Office’s advice.
Major UK travel companies Kuoni and Thomas Cook are advising clients who have booked packages with to Thailand to change their travel plans or cancel them free of charge.
Ian Jarrett
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