Sheltered from the shell shock

Damage caused by a bomb blast on Aug 17 is seen on the Brahma statue at the Erawan Shrine in central Bangkok where more than 20 people were killed. [Photo/Agencies]

Bangkok's bombings haven't rattled Chinese tourists to Thailand－much. At least for now.

Beijing resident Zhang Guangqi, for one, decided to stick to his plan to travel to Thailand after bombings rocked the Thai capital on Aug 17－18.

"Incidents happen everywhere," he said on Aug 21, before leaving for a nine-day trip ending Aug 29.

"I doubt the attacks were perpetuated by worshiping locals. I don't think they'd cause problems at holy sites."

He has visited the country five times and is fascinated by its food, island views and nightlife.

Major Chinese travel agencies aren't yet reporting significant cancelations of trips to Thailand.

"It's business as usual," Yan Xin, publicity officer for China's largest online travel agency, Ctrip, says.

But the Thai tourism authority's Beijing office says the attacks may have made a dent.

Seven Chinese－five from the mainland and two from Hong Kong－were among the more than 20 killed in the first blast, at the Erawan Shrine. More than 120 people were injured.

China advised citizens to exercise caution in Thailand. Chinese travel agencies are also cautioning against visiting crowded sites.

Thai Airways' passenger volumes have dropped 20-30 percent, says a marketing manager at the office, who spoke on condition of anonymity.