Political upheaveal in Thailand affects Tourism
Thailand has appointed a new interim prime minister a day after the resignation of Thaksin Shinawatra, but uncertainty remains over the country’s political future.
Chidchai Vanasatidya, Thaksin’s former deputy, will take up the office while Thaksin is “taking a rest”, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
However, Thaksin could take back the job if necessary, the spokesman added without elaborating.
Hotels on Bangkok’s famous Rachadaphisek Road have been hit hard by the turndown in tourists during the recent political struggles.
Said, Andrew Wood, General Manager of the Chaophya Park Hotel, “A number of properties, particular those with a strong Singaporean links and marketing bases, had seen occupancies drop by 30% in recent weeks due to the political situation.”
Mr. Wood also announced, “Hotels around Siam Square have also suffered badly with mass demonstrations leading to an exodus of guests in the area. They will be particularly relieved that the demonstrations are all but over.”
He added, “The cooling of the political temperature will certainly help tourism and the recovery of business to normal levels.” Our expectation for 2006 was in the region of 85-90% year round occupancy”, Rachadaphisek has become increasingly popular, with the opening of the MRT underground network.
Mr. Wood added, “ Prior to yesterday’s announcement we were re-evaluating and re-visiting budgets, both on room sales and banquets, with a view to revising forecast downwards. After Khun Thaksin Shinawatra’s sudden announcement last night, we are adopting a wait and see attitude, but we are very optimistic of a quick return to normality”.
Mr. Wood went onto say, “We have a lot to do, 2006 is Thailand’s Grand Year, with the PATA conference due to start in a few days; the Royal Barge ceremonies and arrival of monarchs from across the globe; to the Skal World Congress and ITCMA in October in Pattaya, we have a lot of marketing and preparation work to catch up.”
“I am confident that whatever has happened or is about to happen politically, Thailand will be ready to welcome over 14 million visitors to Thailand this year.”
Graham Muldoon
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