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Bangkok riots pose no threat to Russian tourists – operators

At the moment demonstrators stage peaceful strikes, several central transport corridors of Bangkok are closed

Riot police in Bangkok

Riot police in Bangkok

MOSCOW, February 13. /ITAR-TASS/. Riots in Thailand’s Bangkok pose no threat to Russian tourists holidaying at Thai resorts, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said on Thursday with reference to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

“At the moment demonstrators stage peaceful strikes, several central transport corridors of Bangkok are closed. From time to time protesters organise peaceful marches, and cause strong traffic jams on the capital’s streets,” the source said.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said Bangkok and adjacent provinces Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan have been living in a state of emergency since January 22, 2014, and will do for 60 days.

“This measure has been taken to ensure security of the local population and foreign citizens. However, the authorities have not introduced a curfew in any Thai province so far. The situation in Bangkok’s other districts and on the territory of the whole country remains safe,” the authority said.

Despite this fact sales of trips to Thailand had declined and Russian tourists started cancelling their trips. As an alternative tour operators send travellers to India’s Goa and resorts of the United Arab Emirates.

On February 6, the Russian Foreign Ministry has reiterated its recommendations for Russian citizens asking them to refrain from visiting Bangkok. Russian tour operators decided to suspend sightseeing trips to Bangkok and to send tourists arriving in the Thai capital directly to resorts.

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