Figures released by the Pudong International Airport Frontier Inspectorate on Saturday showed a 61.2 percent drop in Chinese tourists heading for Thailand from the airport over the last two months, following recent political and social unrest in the country.

From March 14 to May 20, a total of 20,980 Chinese tourists departed for Thailand from Pudong International Airport, compared to 57,200 from January to early March.

The steep decline followed advice issued by the National Tourism Administration in March that Chinese tourists should put off plans to visit Thailand and that Chinese travel agencies stop selling tour packages to the country.

In an attempt to attract more Chinese tourists, who make up the largest source of inbound travelers to Thailand, the Thai government has suspended the 230 yuan ($33.70) tourist visa fee for Chinese citizens from this month until next April.

However, the move is doing little to convince Chinese travel agents and tourists to go against the tourist administration's advice.

"We have suspended Thai-bound tours since the end of March, except for Phuket Is-land," said Pan Jie, an agent at China Spring Tour. Despite the waived visa fees and 20 percent drop in price of packages to the country, Pan said his company still advises customers against visiting Thailand.

Chen Yi, an official at the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration told the Global Times Sunday that they will follow the National Tourism Administration's advice regarding Thailand, and that there is no information as to when the advice may be revised.

"I don't dare go to Thailand," said 25-year-old Zhu Jialei, who is currently planning her honeymoon. "I heard there have been riots and casualties, even in some shopping malls. It's terrible. Even if you go to Phuket, you still have to transfer flights in Bangkok."

29-year-old Shanghai ciziten Cai Lei went to Thailand for his honeymoon last May. "There were also protests then, but we still went," said Cai. "Most of the riots were in Bangkok, rather than tourist attractions. It's still safe for tourists now, just don't wear yellow or red shirts."

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