Bangkok in state of emergency

Despite Thai Prime Minister H.E. Abhisit Vejjajiva declaring a state of emergency, travel to Thailand continues from the Middle East.

An Emirates spokesperson told ATN that Emirates’ flights to Bangkok were currently operating as scheduled.

“We continue to monitor the situation in Bangkok and will inform our passengers should there be any change,” he said.

The Thai government issued warnings to travellers and expatriates on the areas to avoid in Bangkok and said that the state of emergency would be lifted as soon the situation in Pattaya was back to normal.

It is estimated that the current violence, the cancellation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and last year’s airport closures will cut Thai tourism earnings by at least Bt200 billion (US $5.5 billion), according to Tourism Council of Thailand president Kongkit Hiranyakij.
 
Kongkit said the losses from the anti-government storming of the Pattaya hotel conference venue where the summit was being held was no less damaging than when the airports closed in November and December, 2008.

The current turmoil has certainly put a dent in Thailand’s plan for a marketing onslaught throughout 2009 that was aimed at rebuilding the country’s image as a tourist destination of choice.