Bookings for resorts in Phuket have sunk to just 15 percent for June as the tourist industry across Thailand suffers the fall-out of the violent protests in Bangkok. The global coverage of the street battles has sent the country’s tourism industry into freefall, despite the destination remaining largely peaceful and few resorts outside the capital affected.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has rescinded advice advising against all but essential travel to Thailand.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

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.

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.

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.

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.