Shanghai tourists cancel Thai trip; hundreds of Chinese stranded
27/11/2008 16:31
The Shanghai tourism bureau today said 390 tourists have canceled trips to
Thailand, which has been hit by political turmoil that has disrupted
flights.
It issued an urgent order telling travel agencies to suspend trips
to Thailand, closely monitor the situation and help stranded tourists return as
soon as flights resume.
It was not known how many Chinese tourists in total
were stranded in Thailand, but the Shanghai bureau said about 430 tourists from
that city were stranded. The Shanghai tourists were safe, according to travel
agencies in Shanghai.
Yu Weihua, general manager of Shanghai China Travel
International Co Ltd, said a 21-member group organized by the company should
have departed from Bangkok yesterday morning but was unable to leave.
The
tourists were sent to a hotel in Bangkok and have all contacted their
families.
The Shanghai branch of Spring Tour said a group of 25 tourists was
also waiting in a hotel for return flights.
The National Tourism
Administration of China issued a notice yesterday advising the public not to
travel to Thailand, after the main Bangkok airport was forced to close on
Tuesday amid protests.
Thailand's political stalemate looks set to continue,
as Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has refused to resign or dissolve the House,
despite growing pressure from anti-government protesters and military
leaders.
Xinhua
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