UK travellers look beyond turmoil in Thailand
LONDON – The on-going political unrest in Thailand is provoking UK travellers to consider other Asian countries.
Travel price and comparison website Cheapflights UK says British travellers are switching to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia as Thailand declares fourth state of emergency in two years.
While search figures to Thailand are still up 39 percent on last year, it falls behind the rising popularity of other East Asian nations with similar offerings, according to the company.
Indonesia is leading the way with a 116% rise on last year, followed by Vietnam, up by 94% followed by Malaysia at 79%.
“While Thailand has long been a British favourite, neighbouring East Asian countries have experienced a dramatic rise in search recently and we are starting to see a popularity shift into places like Vietnam,†said Cheapflights UK travel expert Nadine Hallak.
Meanwhile, in Bangkok, protesting Red Shirts have consolidated their supporters around the city’s shopping and tourism hub, the Rajprasong intersection.
The arrival of more protesters at the site has prompted Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery to announce closures of their shopping centres.
Gaysorn Plaza shopping mall, which is located beside the rally site, has been shuttered since the Red Shirts took over the area almost two weeks ago.
Others to shut ip shop around Ratchaprasong intersection include Central World, Erawan and Amarin Plaza.
Traders and hoteliers in the area are facing substantial losses as tourists and business visitors check in to hotels elsewhere in the capital.
Investment bank Morgan Stanley calculates Thailand’s economic growth this year could be cut by 0.2 percentage point due to the impact on tourism, which accounts for six percent of gross domestic product and employs 1.8 million people.
“They are holding the economy as their hostage,†said Ramkhamhaeng University political scientist Boonyakiat Karavekphan.
Ian Jarrett
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