BANGKOK – The Thai Cabinet has agreed to extend the government’s tourism stimulus measures for another year.
The visa fee waiver, airport landing and parking reductions and insurance coverage for visitors will now end in March 2011.
Tourism accounts for around six per cent of the country’s gross domestic product. 

Last year Thailand welcomed 14 million tourists, down eight per cent, while tourism revenue also showed a three percent dip. 


The Cabinet has also endorsed a budget for the restoration of the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, of which Bt20 million will go to the Tourism Authority of Thailand to improve tourism content. 


An allocation from the central budget will be used by the Prime Minister’s Office to restore the country’s image, which faces further challenges this weekend when a massive political demonstration in support of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra threatens to paralyse the Thai capital.
Troops and police have taken up positions around the city with orders to control the demonstrators using peaceful means only.
