Mirroring the policy adopted by the airlines, travel companies are not cancelling holidays. Travel agent body, Abta has polled its members and although some are reporting phonecalls from holidaymakers wishing to find out more about the situation in Thaialnd, no cancellations have been reported.

Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, told Times Online: "If the Foreign Office hasn't changed its advice then we will continue to operate. If the problem escalates into a political crisis we may have to think about changing itineraries, such as rerouting people directly out of Bangkok without a stopover in the city.

"However, in the absence of violence we are not too concerned about what is essentially an internal political situation."

Moore is also founder of adventure travel company, Explore, which is offering customers booked on Thai holidays the chance to change destinations free of charge, although this offer has not yet been taken up by any customers.

Around 350,000 Britons visit Thailand each year, and while the FCO warns of a high threat of terrorism throughout Thailand, most visits are trouble-free.

Times recommends

• 'New York has lost its edge'
• The UK and Ireland's 25 best Christmas events
• Chalet Chef 2010: the winners