PHUKET: The midnight to 4am curfew has been lifted in Pattaya, Samui and Phuket, the National Council for Peace and Order announced today.
Thailand's coup command said that the order remains in force in all other parts of Thailand, including the capital, Bangkok.
The curfew has already been eased from the initial 10pm-5am order.
Tourism businesses in the Phuket west coast travel hubs of Patong and Karon especially protested at the effect the curfew was having on the after-dark activities of tourists.
The President of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut, thanked the generals today for lifting the curfew.
Businesses in Patong turned out to protest last night. ''We understand the reason for the curfew,'' he said.
''We passed a letter to Governor Maitree Intrusud yesterday and overnight, our wishes were granted.
''Phuket remains a safe, welcoming place for tourists and we hope business returns to normal very soon.''
More than 60 nations still carry travel advice about Thailand but one country, Italy, eased its warning today.
Many people have found the country to be safer under the generals than it was when warring political factions seemed about to fight in the streets of Bangkok.
Authorities confirmed tonight that the curfew in other parts of Thailand - including Bangkok - remains at midnight to 4am.
With the curfew removed in Phuket, Pattaya and Samui, pressure is likely to increase for a similar change in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The number of tourists in not likely to suddenly increase with the lifting of the curfew. There has been a downturn in numbers of travellers to Thailand.
The concern for authorities will be the danger of anti-social behavior and crime increasing as income from tourism falls away.
Thailand's coup command said that the order remains in force in all other parts of Thailand, including the capital, Bangkok.
The curfew has already been eased from the initial 10pm-5am order.
Tourism businesses in the Phuket west coast travel hubs of Patong and Karon especially protested at the effect the curfew was having on the after-dark activities of tourists.
The President of the Entertainment Association of Patong, Weerawit Kuresombut, thanked the generals today for lifting the curfew.
Businesses in Patong turned out to protest last night. ''We understand the reason for the curfew,'' he said.
''We passed a letter to Governor Maitree Intrusud yesterday and overnight, our wishes were granted.
''Phuket remains a safe, welcoming place for tourists and we hope business returns to normal very soon.''
More than 60 nations still carry travel advice about Thailand but one country, Italy, eased its warning today.
Many people have found the country to be safer under the generals than it was when warring political factions seemed about to fight in the streets of Bangkok.
Authorities confirmed tonight that the curfew in other parts of Thailand - including Bangkok - remains at midnight to 4am.
With the curfew removed in Phuket, Pattaya and Samui, pressure is likely to increase for a similar change in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
The number of tourists in not likely to suddenly increase with the lifting of the curfew. There has been a downturn in numbers of travellers to Thailand.
The concern for authorities will be the danger of anti-social behavior and crime increasing as income from tourism falls away.
So is everything back to normal now
Posted by Anonymous on June 3, 2014 20:15
Editor Comment:
We believe most things are ''back to normal.'' But there's more hope to be found.