InfoAnda - Thai tourism seeking recovery from protest turmoil

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Russia says Iran was deaf to its nuclear proposals | | 28 May 2010
Clinton touts joint US-Russian missile shield | 14 October 2009
Nigeria presidential rally ends in deadly stampede | | 13 February 2011

Karadzic war crimes trial witness details horrors | | 14 April 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Thai tourism seeking recovery from protest turmoil

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Singapore Asia Pacific World Thai tourism seeking recovery from protest turmoil By KINAN SUCHAOVANICH,Associated Press Writer - Monday, May 31 Send IM Story Print Thai people eat and shop at Silom street, which was closed for the traffic to help vendors who are effected by the Red Shirt protest for over a month, in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, May 28, 2010. Thai military and police increased their surveillance Friday of people in the country's north suspected to be allied with protesters who paralyzed Bangkok with demonstrations that led to violence, fearing further outbreaks in the provinces. (AP Photo/ Manish Swarup) BANGKOK – The Red Shirt anti-government protesters have gone home, but Thailand's tourism industry is still seeing red. Armed soldiers, smoky streets and looted stores were the sad finale to two months of street protests seeking to force new elections. Those images have lingered in many minds, especially for tourists, a little over a week since the protests ended. Thailand now has the challenges of repairing its image and its tourism industry. The number of visitors dropped significantly since the protests closed down Bangkok's main shopping and tourist district in early April. Forecasts for this year were revised to 12 million visitors, down from 15 million, according to the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations. The political standoff and the subsequent violent clashes caused losses of about 60 billion to 70 billion baht ($1.9 billion to $2.2 billion) in tourism-related revenues, according to Atthachai Burakamkovit, permanent secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The government is talking with trade organizations to pinpoint the exact amount of the losses. "Different trade associations have their own estimates to serve their own purposes," said Atthachai. Already, the government has earmarked 5 billion baht ($154 million) to help tourism-related businesses affected by the turmoil and rioting. The package is awaiting the Cabinet's approval. "Using government funds to help private companies is always a difficult situation. And I don't think anybody will hold their breath while this occurs," said Bill Heinecke, chairman and CEO of Minor International, which operates 16 hotels in Thailand, including the luxury Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. The Four Seasons, on the front lines of the protests, was forced to close for seven weeks and expects to lose at least 100 million baht ($3 million) as a result. Several other nearby up-market hostelries were also shuttered. "In my 40 years in the hotel industry, I haven't seen anything this bad," said Prakit Chinamornpong, president of the Thai Hotels Association. The number of guest check-ins indicates a dire situation. Prakit said Bangkok's occupancy rate for May dipped to about 10 percent. The hotel association wants the government to help loan repayments, fixing the interest rate at a 3 percent for at least a year, and to help workers. During the turmoil, major travel agencies suspended tours to Bangkok, and that had a ripple effect on other destinations in Thailand. JTB Group, Japan's largest travel agency, only resumed ticket sales to Thailand on May 27, after a month's stoppage. Japanese made up the second-largest group of inbound tourists to Thailand in 2009, with almost 1 million visitors. Prakit said the situation was worse than the 1997 financial crisis, the bird flu epidemic and even the occupation of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport in 2008 by the People's Alliance for Democracy, the Red Shirts' ideological rivals. "It took us five months to recover from PAD's 9-day airport closure. But this time it'll be at least six months _ or even more," said Prakit. As the result of the airport closure, the total number of inbound visitors in 2009 fell to below pre-crisis projections. The 12 million arrival forecast for this year would see Thailand return to pre-2006 figures. Any previous efforts by the government to drum up confidence abroad since has been futile. "It doesn't matter how many times the prime minister went to Japan to boost the country's image earlier this year, we've got to start all over again," said Prakit. Bangkok's Montien Hotel saw its occupancy tumble from a February high of 80 percent to 3 percent as of May, said resident manager Somsak Akaktanond. Last week only 10 of its 475 rooms were occupied, and they were regulars. "There are no new customers. And many have canceled their bookings for the next couple of months," said Somsak. For the short term, hotels are now trying to attract Asian tourists, believing that they are more understanding of the situation. "Memory is very short-lived. We've seen events like the tsunami (which killed about 5,000 people in Thailand in 2004) and other incidents like the Bali bombing ... They pass very quickly," said Heinecke. The Thai tourism industry has managed to recover from the past recent crises. "The fundamentals of Thailand are still extremely strong," said Heinecke. "I don't think Thai people have changed. I don't think Thai food has changed. And I don't think the destination has changed." Some tourists are not fazed. French visitor Melanie Turleque, 33, was in Bangkok when the clashes took place. "Everybody we talked to _ Thai people _ they're saying it's OK as long as you didn't go into the area ... I'm not afraid," she said. She had also been to Samui and Chiang Mai as part of her trip and found the two places to be "peaceful," remote from problems. "Thailand is such a friendly and beautiful place," said Israeli Issac Cohen, 57, who came to take part in a futsal tournament. "I would suggest to all Thailand's people to just smile like before." ___ Associated Press writer Tomoko Hosaka in Tokyo contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles China's Wen maintains 'sense of crisis' on economy AFP - 18 minutes ago Indian growth higher than expected AFP - 42 minutes ago Honda says 'some progress' in talks with China strikers AFP - 46 minutes ago Japan factory output up 1.3 percent in April AFP - 2 hours 39 minutes ago China, HK property retains allure despite wobbles AFP - Monday, May 31 News Search Top Stories BP rushes new plan to stem Gulf oil leak Celine Dion pregnant with twins: report England football hopefuls wait on Capello call Fed's Bernanke urges G20 to pull together reforms Clashes as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid boat: Hamas TV More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Egypt unearths tomb of pharaonic army chief The point about pain: New study sheds light on acupuncture Aid ships set out to bust Gaza blockade Celine Dion pregnant with twins: report Lindsay Lohan wants a Chanel alcohol tag More Most Viewed » Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN Paris museum burglar grabs 120-million-dollar art haul More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 31 May 2010
Seven police killed in Afghan blast: official
Ten thousand subscribe to El Mundo paid news app.
The point about pain: New study sheds light on acupuncture
NATO general in Afghanistan: Taliban train in Iran
Egypt unearths tomb of pharaonic army chief
Aid convoy sets sail for blockaded Gaza |
No need to restructure Greek debt: minister
UK coalition plans seen surviving Laws' departure |
French Socialists say to pick 2012 candidate mid-2011 |
S.African police rescue 21 Thais from alleged brothel
Own-goals deny Japan historic victory over England
Better than 'Sex,' 3-D 'Shrek' again tops box office
Al-Jazeera anchorwomen 'quit in clothing spat'
Sex less scintillating at box office |
More than 10 dead as Israel storms Gaza aid boat: army
France pushes economic ties at new-look Africa summit
Tropical Storm Agatha kills 96 in Central America |
'At least 10 dead' as Israel storms aid convoy: Israeli TV
Clashes as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid boat: Hamas TV
BA runs 'more flights than planned' despite strike
Celine Dion pregnant with twins: report
Israel boards Gaza-bound ships, 15 dead: reports |
England football hopefuls wait on Capello call
Fed's Bernanke urges G20 to pull together reforms
Colombia's Santos takes solid lead into June runoff |
Defense chiefs say Australia won't replace Dutch
Japan PM at risk as government ratings drop before vote |
Hamas renews offer to end fight if Israel withdraws |
NATO general in Afghanistan: Taliban train in Iran
Ladies in White say Cuba prisoner plight goes on |
China urges region to step back from Korea clash |
Six Turkish soldiers killed in attack: report |
China's Wen jogs through Tokyo park to woo Japanese |
No more comrades on Beijing buses |
Bangladeshi PM 'cleared of corruption cases'
US reassured Netanyahu ahead of NPT deal: Israeli official
S.Korea holds war games near tense border
Global Weather-Celsius
NZ anti-whaling activist on trial in Japan
Israel recoils as US backs nuclear move
Thai PM under fire over deadly crackdown
S.Korean troops stage major drill near tense border
Pakistan court orders Facebook access restored
Study finds iPads cost most in Europe and UK, cheapest in U.S. |
China, Japan agree hotline after naval incidents
Aussies love Kiwis despite rivalry, says survey
Support for Japan PM plummets to new low
North Korea bank on surprise element
Director quits 'Hobbit' film over production delay
Japan factory output up 1.3 percent in April
S.Korea's April industrial output continues growth
HK regulators fine Merrill for concealed losses
Panasonic aims to be Japan No. 1 in solar business
Bangladesh ready for wild World Cup -- despite no team
India's economy grew 8.6 percent in March quarter
A stone's throw from Nile, Egypt's taps are running dry
Honda Motor hoping to resume output after strike
Del Toro quits as director of 'The Hobbit'
Standard Chartered raises 530 million dollars in India sale
Camels: Afghan proxy warriors
Japan factory output up for second straight month
Director quits 'Hobbit' film over production delay
Thai tourism seeking recovery from protest turmoil
Celine Dion pregnant with twins, says husband |
Ray Charles' copyrights a lucrative business |
Carly Simon brews fresh lawsuit against Starbucks |
Director Guillermo del Toro leaves The Hobbit |
US troops in Afghanistan mark Memorial Day
ECB sends mixed messages on bond purchases
German President quits after military action row |
Iran foreign minister optimistic on uranium deal
Pope names inspectors in Irish Church abuse probe |
BP rushes new Gulf oil operation
Pakistani jets attack militants, 42 killed |
France says Africa must be on U.N. Security Council |
Ban presses countries to join war crimes court |
G8 seeks new drive to meet 2015 aid goals for poor |
Iran expands atom work, bomb fear remains: IAEA |
Malaysia's Anwar fights sodomy charges with alibi
Australian police probe hepatitis cluster at abortion clinic
Japan, China launch 'cartoon' diplomacy
Apple says sold 2 million iPads |
Asustek joins tablet PC race; launches app store |
Bomber Drops Flowers In Memorial Day Tribute To Fallen CIA In Afghanistan
Designer Itay Malkin Reproduces "Sex And The City 2" Black Diamond Ring
Drunken Drummer Impales Head After Fall From Balcony
Tactic To Stop Gulf Leak Could Hike Oil Flow During Attempt
Director quits 'Hobbit' film over production delay
Asia stocks mixed as bargain hunters offset Euro woes
Indian growth higher than expected
Coast Guard Seizes 800 Pounds Of Marijuana Off Florida
Allergic Asthma Sufferers May Be More At Risk Of Flu
Researchers Say People Waiting Too Long To Start HIV Treatment
China's Wen maintains 'sense of crisis' over economy
New Jersey Fishermen Enjoy Healthy Shad Haul
Sharp unveils 3D televisions in Japan
Prenatal Exposure To BPA May Up Breast Cancer Risk
Fed's Bernanke calls for G20 to coordinate reforms
"Sex And The City 2" Disappoints At The Weekend Box Office
Honda says 'some progress' in talks with China strikers
China's shift away from cheap labor hard on all
'Bondi Rescue' TV surfer star survives broken neck
Taiwan's AsusTek unveils tablet computer
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01