Thailand Tourism News
Bangkok violence escalates
Violence in Bangkok has escalated with troops opening fire on rioting Red Shirt anti-government protestors, once again turning the Thai capital into a battlefield. On Friday, the so-called Red Shirts seized and vandalized several military vehicles, and set at least one truck on fire following the shooting of an influential anti-government general.
FCO rescinds Thailand travel advice
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has rescinded advice advising against all but essential travel to Thailand. However, travellers are still urged to avoid Bangkok, with protestors still occupying swathes of the capital.
Thai tourism resilient despite Bangkok protests
Despite warnings from the British FCO which is currently advising against all but essential travel to Bangkok, cheap flight site Skyscanner (www.Skyscanner.net) can report that tourists have so far not been dissuaded from flying to the Thai capital for their summer holidays.
Ash backlog leaves hundreds stranded in airport basement
Hundreds of tourists remain stranded in the basement of Bangkok airport as airlines struggle to clear the backlog caused by the ash cloud crisis. The recent spate of civil disturbances also makes it safer to remain in the airport rather than staying at local hotels.
UK, USA and Australia warn against Thai travel
Government officials from around the world have begun to advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok, following a spate of “terrorists” attacks on Thursday. As many as eighty commuters are feared injured following four explosions in the Silom business district.
Editor’s Blog: Is Thailand safe?
Thursday’s explosions in Bangkok have bought weeks of simmering internal discontent to international attention. But with large parts of the country untouched by protests and local tourist chiefs urging visitors not to alter their plans, Chris O’Toole here examines how dangerous the country really is.
Government to restore normalcy in the various areas of Bangkok
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirms that the government is duty bound to resolve the present situation.
Thailand riots: tourism expected to shrink 20 percent as death toll rises
Thailand’s tourism economy is expected to shrink 20 percent as violence in Bangkok deepens. Tourists continue to make a mass exodus from the capital as the death toll from the anti-government protests reaches 21, with further protests expected this week.
State of emergency declared in Bangkok
Authorities in Thailand have declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and its surrounding provinces. However, despite persistent warnings from the Foreign Office, TAT and PATA continue to advise travellers the country is safe for visitors.
Thai protests enter third day
As the latest round of anti-government protests in Thailand enters the third day the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have been quick to quell unrest among travellers. However, the Foreign Office has warned British visitors to use “extreme caution” when on the streets of capital Bangkok.
ASEANTA to launch new campaign at ITB Berlin
The ten members of the Association of the South-eastern Asian Nations will officially launch their new consumer destination marketing campaign at ITB Berlin this week. The campaign – entitled South-east Asia: Feel the warmth - is designed to travellers to plan trips, estimate costs, check availability and book through a unique map-based trip planner.
Phuket Hotels Lose US$300 Million In Rate Plunge
Industry-wide discounting by Phuket hotels cost the industry on the island US$300 million in room revenue in 2009, according to the Phuket Hotel Market Update report compiled by Thailand consultancy C9 Hotelworks.