PATA HQ and the PATA Chapter in Thailand will ‘assist the TAT in the recovery phase’. Also present at the meeting, held in Bangkok, was immediate-past PATA Chairman Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn. Mrs Manoharn is a former Governor of the TAT. “PATA emphasises that travel to Thailand is still safe. The major part of Bangkok remains open and……
PATA HQ and the PATA Chapter in Thailand will ‘assist the TAT in the recovery phase’. Also present at the meeting, held in Bangkok, was immediate-past PATA Chairman Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn. Mrs Manoharn is a former Governor of the TAT.
“PATA emphasises that travel to Thailand is still safe. The major part of Bangkok remains open and accessible for tourists and business travelers with hotels, shops and tourist sites open for business. The popular tourist resorts such as Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Pattaya are unaffected by the protests in Bangkok city centre,” says PATA CEO Greg Duffell. “Our previous advice in respect of Bangkok city centre remains in place. Tourists and business travellers should avoid the designated danger zone and heed the advice offered by embassies and consulates.”
The headquarters of the Pacific Asia Travel Association in Bangkok is located inside the ‘danger zone’ and remains closed today (Wednesday 19 May) on the advice of the security forces and the building’s management team.
Although PATA has been forced to cease operations at its Bangkok HQ the Association’s head office staff continue to work from home and may be contacted on their respective PATA e-mail addresses. This is despite the fact that the Royal Thai Government has declared 19, 20 and 21 May as additional public holidays in Bangkok.
PATA yesterday (18 May) staged a one-day staff training programme at a major city centre hotel well away from the area occupied by the protesters.
A number of PATA staff that live inside the ‘danger zone’ have been relocated on a temporary basis to safer accommodation. Several foreign embassies have closed and are now operating from temporary locations. Foreign nationals should check embassy and consulate websites for further details and latest travel/safety advisories.
The city’s subway and skytrain systems continue to be affected and hotels located within the protest zone have closed. Some PATA member offices have also been forced to shut down.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
