Thailand travel advice relaxed by Foreign Office

Travel Advice, external for Britons visiting Thailand has been relaxed after a curfew was lifted in Bangkok.

The Foreign Office changed previous advice only to travel if essential and to "exercise caution" in the capital.

Dozens of people were killed in Bangkok earlier this month after anti-government "Red Shirt" protesters moved into a shopping district.

The army ended the occupation 10 days ago and the Thai authorities have now lifted a night-time curfew in the city.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said order had now been restored. He also ended curfews in 23 other provinces.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are now advising travellers to exercise caution if travelling to Bangkok or Chiang Mai.

"This replaces the previous advice, which advised against all but essential travel to Bangkok and Chiang Mai."

He said political instability continued to be a problem and the risk of violence and further demonstrations remained.

People were also advised against all travel to the border temple area of Preah Vihear, and discouraged from visiting the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.