Travel agencies, tourists cautioned about visiting Thailand

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has recommended travel agencies and tourists consider revising their travel plans to Thailand in the wake of recent bombings in Bangkok with many casualties, including one wounded Vietnamese.

The VNAT said on August 19 that it advised travel companies to actively work with their partners and Vietnam’s representative diplomatic offices in Thailand to devise measures ensuring the safety of their Vietnamese clients.

It stressed that travel agencies should not guide tourists to vulnerable areas or crowded places with high risks while focusing diligently on security warnings in their destinations.

The companies were also told to immediately notify Vietnam’s diplomatic agencies and the VNAT about any arising issues for timely responses, the administration said, adding that though Thailand is a magnet for Vietnamese tourists, it has also had a host of recent security concerns.

The administration also suggested visitors be cautious and proactively avoid crowded places.

Tours to Thailand have been an ideal option for Vietnamese nationals in recent years due to their low prices and diverse and quality services. The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects 700,000 Vietnamese visitors in 2015.

A representative of Vietravel – a major Vietnamese travel agency – said 40 percent of its clients have purchased tours to Thailand in the past few years, reaching a record of 13,886 last July. The firm advised visitors to stay at hotels in the evening and avoid crowded areas in Bangkok.

Many other companies like Saigontourist, Ben Thanh and Fiditour said they will reschedule or call off tours to Thailand if asked, bring their tourists to other destinations and even cancel all shopping activities at major malls.-VNA