British undeterred by trouble in Thailand

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British tourists undeterred by trouble in Thailand 
18 Oct 2008
British undeterred by trouble in Thailand
source: Telegraph.co.uk

Tourists continue to travel to Thailand in record numbers, despite border tensions and political unrest.

British travellers are continuing to visit Thailand in record numbers despite an increase this week in violence along the disputed border with Cambodia.

Reports of fighting near the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, coupled with continuing political unrest in Bangkok, were expected to deter travellers from visiting the country.

However, a spokeswoman for the Tourism Authority of Thailand said bookings from British holidaymakers continued to rise.

The Hindu Preah Vihear temple – which predates the more famous Khmer ruins of Angkor — and the lands that surround it have long been disputed by the two countries. Tensions increased in July after Unesco approved Cambodia’s application to have the temple designated a World Heritage Site. At least two people were killed in skirmishes this week.

 
Last year 835,000 British nationals visited Thailand — a figure that is expected to increase by five per cent this year as holidaymakers take advantage of discounted week-long holidays from as little as £499, including flights.

“British travellers are remaining very loyal customers even during the current economic downturn — around two thirds are repeat visitors,” said a spokeswoman for the authority.

The Foreign Office advice to British travellers to Thailand describes the military clashes at Preah Vihear as “small-scale political demonstrations”. It says it is reviewing its advice regarding the border region, but continues to warn travellers against going to the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

Few Britons are expected to be in the disputed border region. Audley Travel, one of the few operators to offer trips to the area, said that Preah Vihear had been closed since July, when the military arrived.

“The first people who have booked to go are not due to arrive there until November 17,” said a spokesman for Audley. “We have already spoken to them about alternative destinations for that section of the itinerary should things not improve. The fighting is quite localised and there is no reason for visitors not to visit other areas.”

Britain’s leading tour operators, including Thomas Cook and Kuoni, said they had received no cancellations or inquiries about the conflict and that bookings remain strong.

However, numbers of visitors to Thailand from other parts of the world have fallen by nearly a third as a result of political unrest in Bangkok.

In clashes between the police and anti-government protesters last week outside Parliament House, 400 were injured and two died. No tourists were caught up in the troubles, but the violence coincided with the arrival of more than 1,000 travel operators and journalists on a promotional tour.