Today's Top Stories >> Wednesday November 26, 2008 10:51
Blow to tourism
By Post Reporters
The tourism sector, already reeling from the global economic downturn, suffered a fresh blow as People's Alliance for Democracy anti-government protesters forced Suvarnabhumi airport to suspend outbound flights.
LATEST: As of Wednesday morning, Suvarnabhumi airport is effectively closed to all passengers. Thai Airways International already has cancelled 24 flights due to leave on Wednesday.
Thousands of travellers faced the prospect of missed flights Tuesday night as protesters blocked the main motorway from the capital to the airport and later stormed the terminal to disrupt operations.
Olarn Chaipravat, the deputy prime minister overseeing economic policy, acknowledged that the PAD protests would undermine the country's image abroad and hurt investor confidence.
"They [PAD] have the right to protest, but they must consider the rights of others. And they should also consider the damage caused to the entire country," he said.
Airline and tourism executives warned that the political tensions would deal another heavy blow to the ailing industry and the country's international image.
PAD rallies in late-August that forced the shutdowns of Krabi, Phuket and Hat Yai airports had already put the country's "Land of Smiles" image in jeopardy.
Arrivals in September plummeted 16.5 per cent from last year, with hotel occupancy rates nosediving to just 46.3 per cent compared with 57.5 per cent in August.
The latest tensions could force many operators into bankruptcy, coming just weeks before the peak of the tourist season over the year-end holidays.
Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), said the PAD protest Tuesday would have a massive impact on the industry.
"Don't think that the Thai tourism business will grow next year. It's dying now because of the political problems. In the best case, we might just see flat growth," Mr Apichart said.
Another tourism expert said the attempts by the PAD to close Suvarnabhumi airport reflected the "lawless society" in Thailand.
"Do you know when the country's image is destroyed, it's very difficult to revive it in a short period? What does Thai hospitality look like now, when there are clashes and violence inside the country?" he said.
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat said authorities were coordinating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to update overseas tourism offices about the latest developments.
The ministry was also working with the Thai Travel Agents Association and airport operator Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) to assist tourists and advise on alternative travel routes to Suvarnabhumi airport.
Business leaders said multinational companies would likely impose travel restrictions to minimise risk.
Protests and disruption by Thailand's People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) entered their third day with an invasion and forced shutdown of Bangkok's main international airport. The yellow-shirted demonstrators are reportedly in full control of Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving between 3,000 and 4,000 travellers stranded and incoming flights diverted. The PAD have vowed to remain in the airport disrupting flights until the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, stands down.

Originally blocking the six-lane motorway approach to the airport, the protesters broke through police lines late on Tuesday night, invaded the terminal buildings, and forced the cancellation of all air traffic. Their aim appears to have been to prevent the Prime Minister returning to the country from the APEC summit in Peru.

Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat expressed concern that the action would have adverse economic effects on Thailand. Confidence of those investing in the country is likely to be dented, and the damage to the tourism industry could worsen the country's situation in the current global economic crisis.

The airport invasion has been accompanied by reports of further bomb blasts aimed at the anti-government PAD protesters. One explosion happened at the airport terminal itself, injuring three. A second explosion was reported at the site of the Don Mueang airport where the PAD are blockading temporary government offices. An additional two attacks, believed to be grenades, have been reported but with no casualties. The PAD have not cooperated with police in investigating these attacks, instead claiming their own bomb squad will deal with the matter.

The protesters have refused a government offer to end the stand-off. "We will stay until the government steps down. This government is not legitimate," said Sunthorn Kaewlai, a retired university lecturer. The PAD has given out leaflets to stranded passengers at the airport, apologising for the disruption, but at the same time saying that "the alliance believes the measure is crucial to bring an end to the traitorous killer government."

Details of which airport the beleaguered PM Somchai will fly into have not been revealed, however ''The Nation'' reports his flight will be diverted to U-tapao military airport, approximately 150km southeast of the capital, Bangkok.