Thai tourism chiefs fume over travel ban
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has slammed the UK’s decision to warn people against travel to any part of Thailand.
TAT and the Royal Thai Embassy have requested an urgent meeting with the Foreign Office to discuss removing the blanket warning.
Foreign Office advice that Britons should avoid all but essential travel to Bangkok – scene of violent political protests by the red shirts – was extended on Wednesday to the whole of the country (see earlier TravelMole story).
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.
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.”
ABTA has warned that travel insurance policies would not cover those going to Thailand aware of the Foreign Office’s advice.
Major UK travel companies are advising clients who have booked packages to Thailand to change their travel plans or cancel them free of charge.
Phil Davies
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