August 03, 2007	Friday	Rajab 18, 1428

LONDON: The government warned Britons on Thursday to do more to avoid getting into trouble as they jet off on summer holidays, with notable hotspots including Greece, Australia, India — and Prague.

The Czech capital has become a major troublespot for Brits due to thousands of drunken pre-marital parties that head there, fuelled by cheap alcohol and low-cost airlines, leaving the local embassy to pick up the pieces.

“The Czech Republic features as one of the countries where most consular assistance is required with a disproportionate number of lost passports, arrests and hospitalisations,” said the Foreign Office.

“This is likely to be due to the massive influx of hen and stag parties to Prague,” it added, using the English terms for traditional pre-wedding celebrations by brides and grooms before they go down the aisle.

Further afield, India, Thailand and Australia appear on the top 10 countries where Brits need consular assistance.

The Foreign Office suggests this may be because “although Brits are getting more adventurous with their travels, they are not doing enough preparation before they go”.

“The high figures in India might well be a result of many British Asians visiting family members and forgoing usual travel preparations such as vaccinations or travel insurance,” it added.—AFP