Protests to cost Thai tourism US$5 billion
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The Nation reported the Chairman of the TourismCouncil of Thailand, Kongkrit Hiranyakit, as saying that the invasion ASEAN Summit inPattaya last weekend could be just as damaging to the country as last year’sairport closures.
“Afterthe Suvarnabhumi Airport closure, tourism businessoperators expected the industry to be affected for 6-9 months. The magnitude ofdamage from the invasion into the ASEAN Summitmeeting venue would also give a similar result,” The Nation quoted Kongkrit assaying.
He noted that the invasionconcerned the safety of leaders of 15 nations, many of which are key source markets.The number of tourists from these countries was expected to account for 8.5million, or 60% of Thailand’s2009 target. The tourists however will question Thailand’s security, following theactions that affected the safety of their leaders.
While the airport shutdown wasexpected to result in loss of THB120 billion this year, the red shirts’ actionare expected to cost the country at least THB100 billion, the report stated. Thailand’stourism revenue target for 2009 was set at THB500 billion.
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