Tourism industry to suffer

The imposition of a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and adjacent provinces will undermine Thailand's image and its tourist industry, Thai Chamber of Commerce chairman Isara Wongkusolkij said on Wednesday.

The number of inbound tourists is expected to drop substantially in the short term while new foreign investment in Thailand will be delayed over the long run, Isara said.

The Thai caretaker government on Tuesday invoked an emergency decree in Nonthaburi province, Patumthani province, part of Samut Prakarn province and all districts of the capital, effective from Wednesday.

Thailand is projected to lose 10 billion baht ($304 million) in tourism revenue over the imposition of the decree, chairman of the Thai Tourism Business Association Chidchai Sakornbordee said.

By Sunday, 46 countries and regions had issued travel alerts for Thailand, according to the Foreign Ministry's Information Department.

Xinhua

(China Daily 01/23/2014 page12)