Pata: Safe to travel to Thailand

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) has stressed that it is safe for people to travel to Thailand, despite the domestic political dispute in the country.

Almost all tourism facilities and services are operating as normal, the association said, and the only location that tourists are advised to avoid is the area around Government House in Bangkok.

A state of emergency was declared by the Thai prime minister but this was described as a "temporary measure" and does not include any measures to restrict the movement of people around Bangkok.

Pata pointed out that both Bangkok Airport and Phuket Airport are operating as normal and all hotels, resorts and attractions in the Thai capital and throughout the country are open for business.

Peter de Jong, the association's president and chief executive, said: "Many of Thailand's prospective visitors are understandably reluctant to travel when they hear about a state of emergency being declared and see images of violent clashes in media reports.

"The reality, however, is that life is continuing as normal in Bangkok and Thailand and that, as of today (September 3rd), there is minimal threat to the safety of visitors to the kingdom."

Pata said it would continue to monitor the situation and inform travellers of any developments.

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