Thailand loses holidaymakers to Malaysia, Vietnam and Bali

Fatal clashes between anti-government protestors and armed guards in Thailand have forced holidaymakers to consider visiting other countries in Asia instead, including neighbouring Malaysia, Vietnam and Bali.

Although the British government is not advising holidaymakers not to visit Thailand, escalating violence in the capital Bangkok is believed to have deterred many Britons from booking trips to the country for later this year.

Travel price comparison website Cheapflights said bookings for Thailand were still 39 per cent up on last year, but other countries in Asia are showing far greater increases in bookings.

Indonesia and specifically the island of Bali have seen tremendous growth; Cheapflights said bookings for the country were up 116 per cent year on year. Vietnam has seen a 94 per cent rise and bookings for Malaysia are up 79 per cent.

While Thailand has long been a British favourite neighbouring East Asian countries have experienced a dramatic rise in search recently and we are starting to see a popularity shift into places like Vietnam said Cheapflights UK travel expert Nadine Hallak.

There have been no reports of further clashes between Red Shirt protestors and security forces since several people were shot dead during riots on April 9, but the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office is continuing to warn British visitors to 'exercise extreme caution'.

Holidaymakers who wish to cancel imminent trips to Bangkok or the rest of Thailand should speak to their tour operators who may offer alternative holidays to other countries in East Asia.

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