War threats fail to deter tourism

BANGKOK, 3 April 2013: Ministry of Tourism and Sports says increased tension on the Korean peninsula following North Korea’s threat to declare a state of war, last Saturday, has not deterred Koreans from travelling.

MOTS spokesperson, Watchara Kannikar, said the ministry is monitoring the situation closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to evaluate the risk for travel and commerce between South Korea and Thailand.

“So far, there was no indication of trips being cancelled by South Koreans or Thais to that country,” he said.

He added: “The ministry has not issued any warnings, but Thai travellers should check the latest situation before leaving for South Korea.”

Association of Thai Travel Agents acting president, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, said many Thai tourists plan to visit South Korea, particularly during the long Songkran holiday.

South Korean tourists to Thailand rank third after China and Japan, while the three favourite countries among Thai tourists during Songkran are Japan, China and South Korea.

According to Thai Travel Agents Association president, Suthiphong Pheunphiphop, around 300,000 Thais will travel overseas of which 50% will travel to Japan and South Korea this month.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave reassurances, Monday, that the situation remained normal and South Korea was still safe.

The ministry spokesperson, Manasvi Srisodapol, said the Thai government has closely monitored the situation to ensure the safety of Thai people and to enable Thailand to announce its stance on the peninsular dispute, if necessary.

The ministry, however, urged Thai people to follow the situation on the website of the Thai embassy in Seoul, its Facebook or Twitter.

Sourced: ttrweekly