According to recent polls, the prolonged political turmoil in Thailand will adversely affect economic activity, especially in the tourism sector.
This month alone, MCOT estimates that the country may lose 400,000 foreign visitors this month – or roughly THB 18 billion in revenue.
The number of tourists from China and Russia, Thailand’s two major markets, has dropped by 25 to 30 percent, mainly in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha Am. In addition, 40 countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens, recommending avoidance of the demonstration sites; some nations have elevated their warnings against visiting Bangkok altogether, as of 1 January 2014.
Piyamarn Techapaiboon, President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, commented that tourist traffic during the recent New Year celebrations was not as brisk as usual, and that tourism has become volatile in light of the political troubles.
In a Suan Dusit poll conducted last week, more than half of the people surveyed in Greater Bangkok expressed apprehension about the escalation of the political situation, worrying that the mass anti-government rallies would paralyse the capital and cripple the economy. When specifically asked about their views on the Bangkok Shutdown, 47 percent of the respondents would like all sides to consider public interest before pursuing their respective agendas.
