Thai tourist arrivals expected to drop due to Bangkok shutdown
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Foreign tourists, including those from Myanmar, are cancelling their trips to Thailand because of rising political tensions in the Kingdom, according to tourism industry sources.
“Thais who have booked a place here to attend a meeting have cancelled their trips.
Airports in Thailand are not closing yet and we can’t predict whether more tourists are cancelling their trips or not,” said Hla Aye, managing director of the Shan Yoma travel agency.
“Some who have already made bookings have to go because they have paid in advance. They need to be careful, though there is no need to worry.
Tourists from Myanmar are going to Thailand for medical check-ups only at this time, so we can’t predict anything.”
International media have reported that transportation in Bangkok has ground to a halt because protesters have launched what they are calling a “shutdown”. Earlier, the Myanmar embassy in Thailand issued a warning to its citizens not to get involved in the protests.
Although the protesters are blocking roads, it is difficult to predict whether Thai tourist arrivals in Myanmar will slump or not. If Thailand shuts down its airports, tourists can still enter Myanmar from the border, tourism industry sources say.
Thousands of tourists enter the country daily through Tachilek, Htikhi, Myawady and Kawthoung from the Myanmar-Thailand border.
“We have a group of 20 Thais arriving tomorrow on a Bangkok Airways flight. Thais come here with Bangkok Airways or Air Asia,” said Sai Saing Show, a Thai tourist guide.
At present, Myanmar citizens are advised to travel to Bangkok only for medical check-ups. The current rate of Myanmar tourist arrivals in Thailand is lower than for the periods surrounding Songkran holidays, New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day.
