KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines is the first carrier to announce it will waive charges for passengers deferring travel to Thailand.

Cancellations on Thai-bound flights are soaring in the wake of rioting on the streets of Bangkok by rival political groups. One travel agent was quoted in the Thai media over Easter weekend that up to 80% of Taiwanese tourists had cancelled the bookings.

The Australian and UK governments have warned their citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Bangkok and surrounding provinces - one warning level from the most serious "do not go".

Malaysia Airlines says it will be waiving charges for passengers to change their flights from Kuala Lumpur-Thailand and vice-versa from now until end of April.

"In view of the current situation in Thailand, we have given the flexibility for passengers who are booked with us to make changes their flights at no charge," said Malaysia Airlines' senior GM of network revenue management, Dr Amin Khan.

"This will help passengers who want to get out of Thailand. At the same time, we are providing options for our passengers who are travelling into the country," he said.

To reschedule flights, passengers can go to Malaysia Airlines' ticketing offices.