Tourism hit by political crisis

Thailand's tourist sector has taken another beating from the siege of Bangkok's airports by anti-government protesters, with losses mounting at tour operators and airlines as both locals and tourists cancel trips.

The closure of the $4 billion Suvarnabhumi international airport since late Tuesday has forced the cancellation of hundreds of fights and stranded thousands of tourists. The domestic Don Muang airport was also closed yesterday.

"I'm very upset. There are no bookings. There are no tourists. The whole industry has been paralyzed because a group of people shut the doorway into Thailand," said Maiyarat Pirayakoset, president of the Association of Domestic Travel.