FCO softens travel advice

PHUKET: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office is no longer advising against travel to Phuket after changing its travel advice for Thailand.

A message on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice page for Thailand reads: “The overall level of the advice has changed; we no longer advise against all but essential travel to the whole country. We advise against all travel to specific parts of Thailand. We advise against all but essential travel to other specific parts of Thailand, including Bangkok.”

The advice continues: “You should exercise caution, especially in the northern provinces and Pattaya. The political situation is unpredictable and throughout Thailand there is a continued risk that protests may result in violent disturbances. Travelers are advised to avoid political demonstrations and large gatherings.”

The FCO’s previous warning against travel to “all of Thailand” caused widespread dismay among business people in Phuket, where there has been no violence or unrest during the Bangkok red-shirt protests of the past weeks.

The last serious political disturbance in Phuket took place in August 2008, when protesters from the pro-establishment People’s Alliance for Democracy shut down the island’s airport for two days.

— Gazette reporter