Violence breaks out at Thai elections
Protests and outbreaks of violence disrupted Thailand’s general election over the weekend.
According to the BBC, at least six people were injured in gun battles in Bangkok on Saturday, the day before Thailand’s general election.
Clashes between government opponents and supporters led to explosions and gunfire near the ballot distribution centre in Lak Si, in the north of the capital,
The protestors had tried to block the delivery of ballot boxes and clashed with government supporters wielding batons and metal bars.
The UK Foreign Office had earlier warned tourists to stay inside their hotels if they were in any doubt about their safety.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand said the elections took place yesterday as planned "with little disruption to local life".
"Thankfully the elections passed in Bangkok relatively peacefully," it said.
"While there were larger crowds gathering in the capital, at the main protest sites, tourism and local business was not disrupted and life continues as normal. Bangkok is ready to welcome tourists, as is the rest of Thailand. We continue to monitor the situation daily."
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025