PETALING JAYA, Feb 28 — Fewer Malaysians are travelling to troubled Bangkok after an advisory issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Travel agents have reported a drop in bookings since the Thai capital was hit by anti-government demonstrations since mid-January.
A favourite destination among Malaysians, Bangkok has been rocked by a series of bomb explosions, which resulted in several deaths. An emergency decree has been declared by the caretaker government covering Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan provinces.
A spokesman for Deraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd said the number of bookings to Bangkok had dropped from about 100 in November and December to only 10 presently.
“A lot of our customers are foreigners holidaying in Malaysia. Few are travelling to Thailand from here these days,” he said.
“Most of them end up staying in Malaysia instead.
“Also, there have been fewer bookings for flights to Phuket over the past two months.”
MSL Travel also reported a drop in bookings to Thailand.
“We normally have bookings there by holidaymakers,” a spokesman said.
Truly Vacation, which usually receives an average of 10 bookings a week to Thailand, has not received any for the past two months.
“Even the number of those going to Bangkok on business has declined,” said their spokesman.
The travel advisory had also advocated a postponement of non-essential visits to the region for personal safety and security reasons.
Foreign Affairs Ministry press secretary Datin Nirvana Jalil said the advisory still stood.
“We advise Malaysians that if they have no urgent matters to attend to in Bangkok, they should defer their trip,” she said.
“That is not to say it is a bad idea at all but it is discouraged.”
