Government urged to seek lifting of US travel alert against Thailand

BANGKOK, January 19 (TNA) - The Federation of Thai Tourism Associations (FETTA) has urged the Thai government to urgently seek lifting of the United States' travel alert against Thailand. Charoen Wangananon, Chairman of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), in his capacity as the FETTA spokesperson, said Thursday that some FETTA members have expressed concerns over the travel advice against Thailand for, probably, terrorist attacks recently issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok and followed suit by other 17 countries. Charoen acknowledged that the travel warnings have psychologically affected decisions of international visitors to Thailand to some extent, cautioning that domestic tourism would be truly affected in the long run if the travel advice against Thailand was not quickly revoked. Speaking on behalf of the Thai private tourism sector, Charoen called on the government to, therefore, immediately seek proper understanding on Thailand's true situation from other countries, especially the United States, and to publicize the fact internationally. The FETTA spokesman told journalists that the private tourism sector is waiting for a Thai government action on the matter and may file a complaint with the US government for its travel advice against Thailand itself. According to the FETTA spokesman, he is accompanying a Ministry of Tourism and Sports delegation to visit Soi Nana or Sukumvit 22 Thursday evening, following an earlier visit to Khao San Road the night before, to ensure global tourists that the situation in the areas, popular for international visitors, remains normal with well-placed security measures. (TNA)