THAILAND - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has criticised the UK’s Foreign Office for its advice against travelling to the south-east Asian country.
The Foreign Office’s advice that Britons should avoid all but essential travel to Bangkok was extended to the whole of the country yesterday, alongside warnings that unnecessary travel to the country could invalidate travel insurance.
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.
However, the TAT is calling the blanket warning “excessive” and potentially damaging to the country, which is heavily reliant on its tourism sector.
At least 26 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 hurt in anti-government clashes, which have escalated in recent weeks.
Both the TAT and the Royal Thai Embassy have requested a meeting with the UK’s Foreign Office to discuss removing the blanket warning.
“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.”
Andrew Marshall, a journalist based in Bangkok, described the Foreign Office’s decision as “absurd” in an article in UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph.
“The number of protestors is diminishing, and they are always found in just one part of the city,” Marshall told reporters. “Incidents outside Bangkok have been going on for weeks, so I can’t understand why the Foreign Office have now changed their advice.
“It’s sad for the Thai people, who rely heavily on tourism, and would never wish to hurt holidaymakers,” he added. “I would happily send my mother out here and just tell her to keep an eye on the news reports.”
Package holidaymakers scheduled to travel to Thailand are advised to contact their tour operator. Kuoni, the luxury holiday specialist, has said it will not allow any of its customers to press ahead with their travel plans. It is permitting holidaymakers to rebook their trips on alternative dates or cancel their holiday without charge.
