Anti-government protests and clashes in Bangkok are propelling Thailand deeper into political crisis. Concerns about the safety of their clients is forcing travel agencies to cancel tours to the Southeast Asian country.
Travel agents are advising holiday goers to postpone plans to visit Thailand. Guangdong has suspended tours to the country for a week. The resumption date will be decided later, depending on the Thai political situation. For people who have already registered, travel agencies are offering various schemes to either change the destination, or refund the money.
Zeng Yi, form a tourism agent in Guangdong, said, "We're offering travel plans similar to Thailand, such as Bali island or Japan. We hope customers can reconsider their routes. "
Hong Kong has about fifteen hundred residents in Thailand. The special administrative region ordered airlines to begin bringing people back. It's considering sending special chartered planes to help stranded tourists. So far authorities haven't received any reports of missing persons cases. Hong Kong's public security bureau is also working closely with the mainland to help stranded travellers.
Li Shaoguang, Public Security Bureau of Hongkong, said, "We've issued warnings to tourists not to go to Thailand. We hope all the agencies stop providing services to travel to the region."
Macao is also following the situation closely and will initiate emergency plans if necessary. Macao has about four hundred residents currently visiting Thailand.
(CCTV April 16, 2009)
