New turmoil puts Thailand recovery on hold
BANGKOK – As hundreds of media and travel agents arrived for a “mega familiarisation†in Thailand this week, authorities were attempting to play down the bloodshed that has accompanied the latest protests in the Thai capital.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways International intend to show the world’s media and travel trade that the country has recovered from recent political and economic upheaval, although that task has been made much more difficult by the latest violence in the capital.
Some 800 media and travel agents were left to wonder about the timing of their invitation to Thailand following Tuesday’s turmoil in which two people died and hundreds were injured when police launched tear gas attacks against demonstrators.
Speaking before the running battles between the army and political opponents of the Thai government, Pandit Chanapai, THAI’s executive vice president, commercial , said Thai Airways and TAT were determined to beat the tourism downturn and boost business long term.
This week’s Bangkok protests coincided with the annual MICE and business events show, IT&CMA.
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau president Natwut Amornvivat, admitted, “It will certainly be harder for us to convince MICE organisers to come to our country as we have experienced a string of negative events over the last two years.â€
But he told the media, “The problems are some distance away from the conference venue –the Centara Grand – and as long as delegates are cautious and avoid the immediate area of the problems, there is no danger.â€
Ian Jarrett
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