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Russian citizens not give up tours to Thailand despite protest actions

MOSCOW, January 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian citizens have not given up tours to Thailand due to protest actions in Bangkok, Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) Maya Lomidze told Itar-Tass.

“At the moment no tours have been annulled. No Russian tourists wish to return home ahead of time,” Lomidze said, adding “Till now Bangkok tours have not changed. Later, tour operators will say they will make corrections next Monday.”

Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency (Rostourism) has not received any complaints from Russian tourists, who take rest at resorts in Thailand, due to protest actions in Bangkok, Rostourism spokeswoman Irina Shchegolkova told Itar-Tass earlier.

The Russian Foreign Ministry recommended Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Thailand, the spokeswoman said.

“Several tourists called and wanted to know if they could cancel the tour and return money. But no complaints have been received from those who are currently taking rest in Thailand. The situation is calm and safe,” Shchegolkova said.

However, she said, “The recommendations are related to touring Bangkok. At present, tour operators are changing package plans. They also inform tourists, who leave for Russia from Bangkok, about the need to go to an airport four hours before the flight due to the fact that key highways can be shut off.”

“Following the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rostourism recommends Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Bangkok. Host agencies are advised to cancel tours to the Thai capital for the period of protest actions. Russian citizens, who stay in Bangkok, should take care and comply with all requirements by law enforcers and avoid crowded areas,” Shchegolkova said.

The Foreign Ministry strongly recommended Russians not to visit Bangkok over the plans of the Thai opposition to stage large-scale protest actions in Bangkok starting from January 13.

“Clashes between the opposition and government forces are not ruled out,” the ministry said on Thursday, January 9.

“In this connection, we strongly recommend Russian citizens to refrain from trips to Bangkok. We also recommend travel companies serving Russian tourists to cancel excursions to the Thai capital in the period of possible mass opposition actions,” the ministry said.