Bangkok – The nighttime curfew has been lifted in three of Thailand’s key tourist areas including Ko Samui, Pattaya and Phuket with immediate effect, as announced today by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), currently overseeing the country’s administration.

The announcement of the lifting of the curfew in key tourist areas has been expected for several days now after the initial daily curfew was reduced from seven hours (22.00-05.00 hrs) to four hours (00.00-04.00 hrs) as of 28 May. The curfew was imposed nationwide on 22 May 2014 to ensure the safety of everyone during the current political transition period for the kingdom, and the uncertainly that this may entail.

Now with the situation in the country remaining calm, and everyday life continuing as normal, the decision has been made to lift the curfew on a case-by-case basis. This means that in Ko Samui, Pattaya and Phuket, the daily four-hour (00.00-04.00 hrs.) curfew has been lifted entirely, so that tourists can continue to enjoy the fine-dining, nightlife and day-long excursions for which the kingdom is famous.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the kingdom’s tourism marketing arm, wholeheartedly welcomes the lifting of the curfew in three major tourist areas.

Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, TAT Governor said, “The lifting of the curfew in Pattaya, Phuket and Ko Samui is welcome news. This latest development announced by the NCPO should help reassure everyone coming for a holiday in Thailand that it’s very much business as usual and that there’s no reason for anyone to change their plans.”

While the curfew remains in place from 00.00 – 04.00 hours in the rest of Thailand, most local businesses, shops and restaurants have adjusted their opening times so that people can make use of their services. Tourists and travellers who need to travel to and from international airports can travel when necessary. All airports remain open and airlines continue to operate flights to Thailand as normal.

TAT Governor added, “The recent political situation only affected a few small areas of Bangkok, while in the rest of the country daily life was not disrupted at all. There is no military presence in popular tourist areas and of course no danger to travellers going out of their hotels and guesthouses in the evening.”

The TAT is providing daily updates on the country’s tourism situation on www.tatnews.org.