U.S. warns citizens to avoid protest areas, Hong Kong bans the sale of New Year tours in Thailand

BANGKOK, 29 December 2013 (NNT) – The U.S. Embassy Bangkok warns its citizens who now live or travel in Thailand to avoid the areas with political demonstrations. Meanwhile, Hong Kong prohibits travel agencies to sell New Year’s Eve countdown tours in Thailand. More than 300 million baht is expected to be lost.

Former Chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand Kongkrit Hirankit said all Hong Kong tourists who had planned to travel to Thailand with travel agencies had already canceled their trips from this New Year festival until Chinese New Year. Tourist arrivals from Hong Kong might see a drop of more than 40,000 people, he said.

Most travel insurance policies do not cover claims caused by protests.

Read more: NNT