Thailand’s tourism industry has called on the military junta to ditch martial law in a further effort to lure foreign tourists back to the country.
Although the military has lifted the nationwide curfew, Sisdivachr Chwarattanaporn, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said international tourists "would like to see martial law lifted before they come".
But the junta says it is keeping martial law in place for reasons of national security.
"We need help, and lifting martial law is the only thing left. If this were done, it would ensure tourists’ confidence and encourage them to return to Thailand," Sisdivachrtold told Bangkok’s The Nation.
According to Thai Hotels Association statistics, hotels in Bangkok are running occupancy rates as low as 30-40% compared with 70% at the same time last year.
