CRISIS IN BANGKOK: Tourism in tatters
BANGKOK – Thailand’s high season tourism prospects have been crippled by the partial closure of Suvarnabhumi International Airport by People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protesters.
Governments around the globe have issued warnings to their citizens about travelling to Thailand.
China, France, New Zealand, Singapore, Britain, the United States, Australia and Japan warned through their websites of possible danger to their citizens.
Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the PAD protest would have a massive impact on the industry.
“Don’t think that the Thai tourism business will grow next year. It’s dying now because of the political problems. In the best case, we might just see flat growth,” he said.
Another tourism expert told the Bangkok Post the attempts by the PAD to close Suvarnabhumi airport reflected the “lawless society” in Thailand.
“Do you know when the country’s image is destroyed, it’s very difficult to revive it in a short period? What does Thai hospitality look like now, when there are clashes and violence inside the country?” he said.
The airport seizure would damage investment and tourism industry, US Ambassador Eric John said.
The Chinese Embassy warned on its website that Chinese citizens planning to visit Thailand should postpone their plans; while France’s foreign affairs ministry suggested that French travellers booked to fly through Bangkok make alternative arrangements.
The New Zealand foreign affairs ministry advised stranded travellers to stay with other tourists, remain close to information counters and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
Similarly, Singapore said citizens without “a pressing need to travel” should postpone their trip.
Britain’s Foreign Office issued an updated travel advisory telling Britons to keep abreast of a “very uncertain” political situation.
Ian Jarrett
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