The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) approached the RTE earlier this week after the Foreign Office’s advice against all but essential travel to Bangkok was extended to the whole of the country, where dozens of people have been killed and hundreds more hurt in anti-government clashes.

The decision has left hundreds of British holidaymakers with little choice but to cancel or postpone their trips, even if they are not travelling to Bangkok, where the vast majority of protests have occurred.

A meeting between the RTE and the Foreign Office took place yesterday, during which the RTE raised concerns about the impact of the current advice on international and domestic tour operators.

Joanna Cooke, a TAT spokeswoman, says it accepts the advice against travel to Bangkok, but believes the blanket warning is “excessive”.

She said: “Despite our efforts, I regret that the Foreign Office will not be changing its travel advice immediately and so it remains against all but essential travel to the whole of Thailand.”

She added that the meeting was “positive”, and said the Foreign Office acknowledged its appeal, and accepted feedback from the British travel industry.

The Foreign Office says it will continue to monitor the situation in Thailand closely, with a view to reconsidering its stance.

Despite its advice – and following a warning by Abta, the travel association, that holidaymakers who insist on visiting Thailand may invalidate their insurance – many Britons are still choosing to travel to the country, according to the TAT.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel...dvice.html

Insurance is the crucial point. The MFA should approach all countries from where visitors and holidaymakers originate and inform about the real situation in the Kingdom.
If health problems arise during a trip it is absolutely essential that insurance cover works.
Therefore, travel recommendations from abroad must be lifted if tourism is to pick up again in the near future.