You have to wonder who is working at their desks in Bangkok these days as huge crowds of protestors block streets and surround government buildings despite Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s decision to dissolve parliament.
An estimated 200,000 demonstrators were back on the streets on Monday, heightening the concerns of the tourism industry.
Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest, announced that the public would appoint a new prime minister and government, as well as a "people’s council" to act as the legislature following what he termed a "people’s revolution".
According to statistics released yesterday by the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the number of foreign tourist arrivals at Bangkok’s two international airports from December 1-8 fell almost 15% to 44,524 from 52,308 in the same period last year.
Many tourism operators are not bothering to launch marketing promotions, fearing they would receive nothing in return.
Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said if the situation becomes worse, it would have an impact on Asian tourists.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in a situation update, said tourist attractions and activities in Bangkok "are open and operating as per normal" but advised tourists to stay away from areas where large numbers of protestors were gathering.
