Tourism severely hit by UDD
By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 11/04/2009 at 04:28 PM

The tourism sector has expressed concern over actions of the red-shirt movement, warning that tourism revenue this year could plummet at least 30 per cent.

The government's decision to enforce the Emergency Decree in Pattaya and Chon Buri would have a serious effect on the indsutry, Tourism Council of Thailand president Kongkrit Hirunkit said on Saturday.

Leaders from 15 Asian countries came to Thailand to attend the Asean Summit and related summits. Foreign tourists might take the view the government could not guarantee their safety if it could not prevent the protesters breaking into the summit venue.

He said the activities by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters were as bad as the actions of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters.

The PAD yellow-shirt protesters occupied Suvarnabhumi airport late last year and it would take six to nine months for local tourism to recover, he said.

The tourism sector, which generated about 540 billion baht annually, may lose up to 200 billion baht this year because of the red-shirt anti-government movement. More than two million people working in the tourism industry would be affected.

Thai Hotels Association chairman Prakit Chinamourphong said the UDD protest was no different than the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport by the PAD last year.

It would definitely hit the tourism sector significantly, and holding tourism roadshows now would be pointless because people in other countries may already have lost confidence in Thailand .

Mr Prakit condemned the red-shirt movement, saying it was terrible because it damaged the whole country just to benefit one person.

Association of Thai Travel Agents chairman Apichart Sankary criticised the government for failing to maintain order and security during the regional meetings.

The government should not hope to host major international events again, he said

By GRANT PECK, Associated Press Writer Grant Peck, Associated Press Writer – 41 mins ago

BANGKOK – Thailand's humiliated government Sunday arrested the leader of demonstrators who shut down a 16-nation Asian summit. The prime minister vowed further crackdowns as the protesters regrouped in the capital for renewed rallies.

Editorials in Bangkok newspapers Sunday lashed out at both the protesters for destroying Thailand's international reputation and the government for a massive security breakdown.

Tourism Council of Thailand Chairman Kongkrit Hiranyakit predicted that the country would lose at least 200 billion baht ($5.6 billion) as foreign tourists shunned the country.

"Some tourists want out quickly for fear that protesters may go on to block the airport like last year. Incoming tourists are questioning security and canceling bookings," he said.

cali4995 wrote:Watching the evening news last night, with footage of military vehicles, tanks/personnel
carriers in BKK being swarmed over by protestors, the soldiers apparently unwilling to take
a stand, then the Prime Ministers car being hit by rocks and helmets, they just don't seem
to have any control over the situation? I predict phenomenal tourism cancellations coming.

arjay wrote:

We may soon be the only ones on the tourist beaches.

The soldiers fired hundreds of rounds from their M-16 automatic rifles, with Associated Press reporters saying most appeared to have been aimed over the heads of the protesters. The reporters saw protesters throw at least one gasoline bomb which exploded behind the army line and tear gas floated across the eerie dawn scene.

At the nearby Century Park Hotel, foreign tourists were seen rushing into taxis and heading for Bangkok's international airport.

Dr. Chatri Charoenchivakul of the Erawan Emergency Coordination Center said at least 70 people were injured, most of them from tear gas, while two soldiers and two civilians suffered from gunshot wounds.

trubrit wrote:

arjay wrote:

We may soon be the only ones on the tourist beaches.

Wouldn't that be nice.?