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Military coup in Thailand

Few Russian tourists cancel trips to Thailand amid protests in Bangkok

Tour operators are not accommodating tourists in Bangkok and no sightseeing trips are organized in the tense Thai capital

© AP Photo/Wally Santana

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Phuket protests pose no threat to Russian tourists

MOSCOW, January 24. /ITAR-TASS/. The number of Russian tourists cancelling their trips to Thailand amid protests in Bangkok was meager, sources from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said on Friday.

They stressed, however, the tour operators were not accommodating tourists in Bangkok and no sightseeing trips were organized in the tense Thai capital. According to ATOR, about ten flights from Russia to Bangkok remained cancelled for the time being.

According to the chairman of the Thai Tourism Business Association, Chidchai Sakornbordee, Thailand’s tourism industry could lose 10 billion Thai bahts (1.00 USD=32.9010 THB) amid a worsening political situation and a state of emergency declared for the capital of Bangkok. He said the number of foreign tourists was declining since oppositionists took to the streets of Bangkok in November 2013.

Meanwhile, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, demonstrations were still peaceful. Its report said “a state of emergency was declared in Bangkok and its closest provinces starting from January 22. It will stay in place for 60 days. A decree on a state of emergency was issued to support peace and order, as well as to ensure the safety of residents and guests of the city”.

The Tourism Authority also stressed that the state of emergency was not involving resort zones of the country. Besides, no curfew has been imposed in any of the regions as of yet. Local residents and tourists could travel in Thailand unimpeded, the authority said. Airports of Bangkok were operating in a routine mode, but tourists were advised to arrive at the airport four times ahead of the scheduled departure, it said.

On January 9, 2014, the Russian Foreign Minister issued recommendations for the Russian tourists to refrain from trips to Bangkok.

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