Tourist Industry in Thailand Counts the Cost of the Political Crisis
The anti-government protests have actually been going on in Bangkok since the end of May, but many visitors to Thailand were completely unaware because until recently the demonstrations were confined to a small area of Bangkok and had received relatively little coverage outside of Thailand. That’s changed in the last few days because tourists have been directly affected with the closure of certain airports and the suspension of rail services. Foreign news reporters are keener to cover the story now that the situation is having an impact on overseas visitors.
Although it might not seem like it if you have been stranded at Phuket airport or been trying to get on a train between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, the protests are aimed at the government. With Thailand’s economically important tourist industry affected, more pressure is heaped upon the political leaders of the country. Unfortunately, this all means that people’s holidays and vacations are affected and it isn’t just overseas tourists who are suffering. At the moment it is local tourism which is feeling the brunt of the political situation with tourist industry insiders reporting high cancellation rates of package tours by Thai tourists.
Thailand is still safe to visit, but tourists are advised to keep away from the main demonstration area near Government House in Bangkok. The Thai tourist industry hopes that the situation will soon be resolved with the lucrative high season approaching in November. If the situation does drag on it will inevitably mean that some people will cancel hotel bookings, but it will also mean that there will be more bargains to be had as hoteliers seek to fill their vacancies.
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