British Fco Changes Travel Advice - Not All Of Thailand

[Phuketindexer]

It changed about 11.57pm (Thai time) on Wednesday 5 May:

"This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Terrorism and Security section. The overall level of the advice has changed; we no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole country. We advise against all travel to specific parts of Thailand. We advise against all but essential travel to other specific parts of Thailand, including Bangkok.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

•We advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok, in view of the continued political unrest in the city.

•You should exercise caution, especially in the northern provinces and Pattaya. The political situation is unpredictable and throughout Thailand there is a continued risk that protests may result in violent disturbances. Travellers are advised to avoid political demonstrations and large gatherings....."

[willogs]

what complete rubbish, we know the FO has to be careful but potential violence!? outside the Red shirt areas we see nothing, i feel much safer in Phuket than i would in the centre on many UK Cities at night time. the UK should realsie how peaceful Thailand is and how the media (BBC, CNN, FOX, SKy etc) are causing great harm to the Thai economy and thus Thai Livelihoods, some more reasonable rationale reporting would help

[NBT TV Phuket]

item 3 on VDO at http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/prev...hp?news_id=1326 &

The British government changes their travel advice so now it does not advise against all of Thailand.

Late on Wednesday 5th May the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office or FCO issued its revised and updated version of its government travel advice against all of Thailand issued 27 April. It stated quote “This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and the Terrorism and Security section. The overall level of the advice has changed; we no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole country. We advise against all travel to specific parts of Thailand. We advise against all but essential travel to other specific parts of Thailand, including Bangkok. You should exercise caution, especially in the northern provinces and Pattaya" unquote. The president of Thai Hotel Association Southern chapter Suchart Hirunkanokkul welcomed the move and saw the lifting as a very positive sign for tourist destinations such as Phuket and the Andaman region. He said it would restore tourist confidence and travel mood especially for the European market. He admits that the positive result would not be felt immediately, but at least for the next high season. He also suggested that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites foreign ambassadors and diplomat corps to visit Phuket to see for themselves and then they can explain to their respective nationalities about the peaceful island.

weekly Andaman News NBT TV (VHF dial) at 8.30am & repeated on satellite C Band (usually net black) frequency 4134 Mhz at symbolate 2530 at 1pm & usually repeats on Phuket Cable TV channel 1 at 3.30pm, 7pm, 1.30am & 6.30am, broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, & repeated on FM108 Mazz Radio in Phuket; Friday 7th May 2010 & http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/ & www.YouTube.com/AndamanNews