Last Updated: 23 December 2010, 10:00

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Veijjajiva, lifted the emergency decree on Bangkok and surrounding provinces earlier today, a move that will bring good cheer to the country’s travel industry on the eve of Christmas celebrations. The Emergency decree has been in place since April when 'Red Shirt' protesters occupied central Bangkok and fought with police and government troops. Thailand has remained peaceful over the past few months and it seems unlikely that similar problems will occur in Bangkok for the foreseeable future. Thailand tourism has recovered well from the troubles and it is hoped that the nation will come close to the arrivals target set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.