The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has rescinded advice advising against all but essential travel to Thailand.

The government body had urged British travellers not to visit the destination as anti-government protests spilled out onto the streets earlier this year.

However, in response to the latest developments in the country, the FCO now recommends visitors steer clear of Bangkok, but suggests visitors should encounter few problems elsewhere in the country.

“A large number of anti-government protestors are based at the Ratchaprasong intersection on Sukhumvit Road in central Bangkok,” explained an FCO statement.

“Many shops and businesses in the area are closed and there is severe traffic disruption at the rally site and surrounding area.

“Groups opposed to the Red Shirts have held counter-demonstrations close to the Red Shirt protest area.”

Red Shirt protestors, loyal to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have been resident on the streets of Bangkok since early March.

The situation remains tense, with incumbent prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva presently in negotiations with protest leaders over the date of potential parliamentary elections.

Protestors had initially demanded an immediate dissolution of parliament as a precondition for ending their Bangkok protests.

However, this demand has been rescinded, with elections now planned for later this year.