Emergency lifted from Bangkok

The state of emergency in Bangkok has been lifted away by Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat who said that it did nothing but to scare away tourists. However, the political turmoil continues as anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) remaining firm on continuing its protest.

“We should bring back the smile to the country once again, as we are called ‘The Land of Smiles’,” Somchai said. “We have to restore outsiders’ confidence, especially tourists, that we are a peaceful country and have no more conflict.”

It is estimated that Thailand suffered a drop of 30 per cent in tourist arrivals since the political crisis began, with some countries, including Singapore and South Korea, issuing travel advisories.

With the lifting of the emergency, Thai police will again be responsible for security in the capital city, which was being overseen by the army.

Analysts and observers said that the lifting of the emergency could at least trigger a temporary rally for the Thai economy. “A lasting resolution of the political problems is months away at least. The market will step up but any (rally) will be short,” said analyst Kongkiat Opaswongkarn from Asia Plus Securities, one of the country’s leading brokerages.