The Foreign Ministry has now realized how a sharp decrease in tourism has and will further affect the regions hit worst by the tsunami disaster on 26.12.2004. The travel warning issued after the tsunami created large amounts of criticism as the return of tourists to the affected areas is widely seen as an efficient long-term aid.
Based on information received from local authorities, Finnish officials in Phuket and information from other EU-countries, the Finnish Foreign Ministry has issued new travel documents for those traveling to the affected regions of Thailand.
In the recent document the ministry urges Finns not to travel to Khao Lak and the Phi Phi-islands mainly due to severely damaged infrastructures. The ministry still warns of the possible outbreak of diseases. Other areas such as Phuket and Krabi are told to be safe.
