Bangkok on alert for court verdict
BANGKOK – Thailand’s tourism industry continues to be concerned about the possible affects of Friday’s court verdict on the seizure of former prime minister’s Thaksin Shinawatra’s wealth.
Prakij Chin-amornpong, chairman of Thai Hotels Association (THA), said operators of tourism-related businesses are keeping a close watch on movements of Thaksin’s supporters – the red-shirt group – ahead of the verdict.
“We do not want any violence as it would directly affect the tourism sector’s recovery,†Prakij said.
He said room occupancy rate during the Chinese New Year festival was as high as 90 per cent and it was expected that the number of foreigners visiting Thailand this year would rise by 15 to 20 percent over 2009.
“If there is any unrest it could derail this target,†he said.
Prakij said if government was forced to invoke the security law, as it had in the past, it would definitely deter foreign tourists and the occupancy rate would drop sharply.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will on Friday give its verdict on the seizure of frozen assets from Thaksin and his family.
Supporters of the former PM say up to one million people across the country will descend on Bangkok on March 14 to protest against government policies regardless of Friday’s court verdict.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements