FCO softens travel advice

PHUKET: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office is no longer advising against travel to Phuket after changing its travel advice for Thailand.

A message on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice page for Thailand reads: “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.”

The advice continues: “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. Travelers are advised to avoid political demonstrations and large gatherings.”

The FCO’s previous warning against travel to “all of Thailand” caused widespread dismay among business people in Phuket, where there has been no violence or unrest during the Bangkok red-shirt protests of the past weeks.

The last serious political disturbance in Phuket took place in August 2008, when protesters from the pro-establishment People’s Alliance for Democracy shut down the island’s airport for two days.

More than 10 million UK travelers visit Thailand every year.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-05-07

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According to Thai Ministry of Tourism, http://203.144.250.243/statistics/otd_ta_n...lity_detail.php

841,425 tourists from UK visited Thailand in 2009, 812,057 in 2008, 859,010 in 2007, 850,685 in 2006;

not as Gazette said: "More than 10 million UK travelers visit Thailand every year" unless they are counting over 9 million UK expat residents/workers/transit passengers etc sneaking in as travelers!?