This comes after a Thai court found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of abuse of power and ordered her to step down in a move which has threatened an already precarious political situation.

Protesters have swept onto the streets and the economy has been brought to a standstill, with long-term damage to the South East Asian nation's tourism and economic infrastructure now expected. 

Following this the promoters of the FIVB Beach Volleyball Open, scheduled for October 15 until19 on Karon Beach in the southern part of the island, have informed the FIVB of their decision to cancel the event.

The governing body added in a statement that "with the safety and security of players and officials of paramount importance, the FIVB have accepted the promoter's decision".

With the Phuket Open one of only two women's only events scheduled for 2014 following an event in Prague later this month, the FIVB will now pursue negotiations with promoters who may be interested in staging an open event during that same period to provide players with yet another opportunity to compete internationally.

But with the political situation showing no sign of easing, the decision also poses questions over other events scheduled in the country later this year.

Question marks have now been raised over other events in Thailand including the Asian Beach Games ©Getty Images




In particular, the Asian Beach Games is set to take place in Phuket from November 14 until November 23, featurig 147 events in 23 sports. 

Celebrations took place last month to mark 200-days-to-go until the start of the Games, with organisers from the Olympic Council of Asia speaking positively about preparations.

They are yet to comment on whether their security concerns have grown following the latest buildup in political tension.

The General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees is also due to be held in Bangkok from November 5 until 9.

Earlier this year, snooker's Players Championship Grand Finals was also moved out of Thailand due to political unrest, and the season ending tournament was instead held in Preston, England.

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