Tough Times in Thailand as Violence Continues
Airlines and hotels reported cancellations after Thai Prime Minister of Thailand imposed a state of emergency this week as 5,000 demonstrators occupied Government House. Clashes between pro- and anti-government rivals left one dead and dozens injured, and prompted countries including Singapore and South Korea to warn their citizens against non-essential travel to the kingdom.
The Singapore and South Korean governments were the first to warn their against Thai travel due to the recent disturbances. Singapore this week advised its citizens to postpone travel to Bangkok if there is no “pressing need” and said they should “avoid areas where there is a risk of disturbance” such as Government House.
South Korea also warned travelers against making trips to Thailand as “the situation is exacerbating,” and Australia said visitors to the Southeast Asian nation should “exercise a high degree of vigilance,” adding that further violence could not be ruled out.
Thailand still trying to recover may struggle to meet its target of attracting 15.7 million tourists this year amid political turmoil that has already eroded confidence and threatened economic growth.
Thailand’s economic growth slowed for the first time in more than a year last quarter and the central bank expects the expansion to ease further in the second half as protests against Samak’s seven-month-old government hurt sentiment and keep investors away.
“We have done ourselves in by worsening the situation with protests and the state of emergency,” said Apichart Sankary, President of the Association of Thai Travel Agents. “The global economy has already delayed travel decisions. If the situation can’t be resolved by the middle of this month, we will lose a lot of tourists.”
The country’s second-busiest airport in Phuket shockingly was forced to close for 43 hours from Aug. 29 to Aug. 31 because of anti- government protests. Demonstrations have occurred at other airports across southern Thailand, including in Krabi and Songkhla provinces, and rail services in the region continue to be suspended. Foreigners arriving at Bangkok’s international Suvarnabhumi Airport have dropped by a third from 80,000 a day.
About 9.3 million tourists visited the country in the first seven months of the year, and hotels had average of about 56.4 percent in July, according to the Bank of Thailand.
The government is attempting to reassure its people as well as visitors that demonstrations in the capital of 8.1 million people are not affecting businesses and other operations. Thailand is deemed normal’ outside the protest areas, yet the media coverage of the violence is weakening business and leisure travelers confidence. Only time will tell.
By Karen Loftus
Karen
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