Protests Restarted in Thailand

Bangkok has witnessed the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) since 26 March, 2009, that led to the occupation or obstructing of a handful of government compounds, including the Government House area, which houses a number of cabinet offices, and the outside of the Si Sao Thewes home, which is the residence of Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council. On April 9, some of the protesters went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, head office of the Democratic Party, and the Constitutional Court. Some certain areas in Bangkok; such as, Victory Monument and the surrounding vicinity remain closed by the protesters. Police and security officials have exercised utmost restraint at all times in handling these disturbances, and will continue to do so.

All relevant authorities have clearly stated that Thailand will remain under civilian rule. Such events are not unusual from time to time in any democratic system that permits the right to protest under its constitution. There has been no significant disruption to life and business in the capital beyond added traffic congestion in a few areas. Almost the entire key tourist sites in Bangkok and nationwide are completely unaffected. Hotels and other travel-related infrastructure and services, including all airports, train services throughout the country, and roadways are operating as normal.

Tourists and experts in Bangkok should avoid the following areas: Chamai Maruchet Bridge, Government house, and outside the Si Sao Thewes area. Public utilities and communication services operate uninterrupted, contrary to reports of possible disruptions. To ease any concern that foreign visitors may have in traveling to Thailand, the Thai authorities concerned have stepped up measures to ensure their safety and to facilitate their travel, both to and within the country.

A fresh blow for Thai tourism

Thailand’s battle-hardened tourism sector may have finally come unstuck with the violent scenes that ended a major Asian summit at a major beach resort, industry experts warned. It weathered the SARS epidemic in 2003, the 2004 Asian tsunami and a 2006 coup, but the latest turmoil, just months after Bangkok’s two airports were closed by separate protests, has left foreigners fearful.

Supporters of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra breached police lines on Saturday to storm into a meeting of 16 Asian leaders in Pattaya, forcing an embarrass government to airlift them to safety.

The conference was originally due to be held in Bangkok in December but was rearranged at various points, with the northern city of Chiang Mai and the southern tourist isle of Phuket both mooted as possible destinations. Thailand’s tourism industry accounts for five percent of gross domestic product and employs some two million people, or up to seven percent of the country’s total workforce. It was hit badly last December when rival demonstrators seeking to oust Thaksin’s allies from government shuttered Bangkok’s airports for nine days.

The blockade left hundreds of thousands of visitors stranded and prevented 3.4 million tourists from visiting Thailand, costing the country 290 billion baht (8.3 billion dollars), according to a central bank study. Thai people they can go about their normal activities.” But reaction was swift among those countries whose nationals frequently visit Thailand.

Tourism operators were most fearful about fewer numbers from the Asian market during the long-haul low season, in particular from China. “We would expect more visitors from the Asian market (at this time of year), adding that he feared Monday would bring cancellations from China. The market is so important to Thailand that Abhisit dispatched a government minister to Beijing earlier this year to persuade China to remove its travel warning to Thailand.