Tourists decreased by 8% at Suvarnabhumi Airport

BANGKOK, 7 April 2010 (NNT) – The private sector indicated that the number of tourists entering Suvarnabhumi International Airport already decreased by 8%, while tourists from countries nearby avoid the political unrest in Bangkok by getting through to Phuket.

A Committee Member of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) stated that the number of tourist traveling through Suvarnabhumi Airport on 4 April 2010 decreased by 8%, while tourists from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan had shifted the route into Phuket instead to avoid political chaos in Bangkok.

Damages on the country’s image and confidence among tourists are factors of concerns by the private sector. TTAA committee member said that the internal unrest resulted in Thai people spending their time abroad during long holidays. He viewed that House dissolution might be the exit in case the government could not cope with the situation, although he did not agree with this option as the Thai economy had just recovered.