political

Major tourism associations in Thailand are reporting that the rate of hotel occupancy by foreign visitors at [Chiang Mai] [1] hotels and resorts over the recent Songkran festival fell from the 2008 level of 90-95 per cent to 40-45 per cent this year. The main reasons cited for the disastrous drop in advance bookings were political chaos and the looming threat of violent protests over the Songkran holiday period. Chiang Mai has long been regarded as the main destination during Songkran for both domestic and foreign tourists. Visitors who were already in the city before the holiday began booking travel to other areas because of concerns over violence. Bangkok travel agents handling Chiang Mai bookings for foreign tourists were reported to be requiring a 40 per cent non-refundable deposit, anticipating cancellations in the event of riots in Chiang Mai. The city has already felt the impact of the global economic downturn, the siege of Suvarnabhumi Airport late last year and recent violent protests in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Recently, the group Rak Chiang Mai 51 forced the cancellation of the city’s Gay Pride Parade. These events, combined with exceptionally high pollution levels that have gained international attention, have led to a 25 per cent drop in visitors in recent months. [1]: http://1stopthailand.com/chiangmai/ 2009-04-18T14:08:00+07:00 1226 2009-04-18T14:09:42+07:00 5 true 1226-chiang-mai-hotel-occupancy-drops-to-40-percent-over-songkran- Andrew

The Songkran festival period could be a quieter one this year, as the number of holidaymakers visiting the country during the Thai New Year celebrations is expected to fall by 20-40 per cent as compared with last year, as concerns rise about new political tensions. Concerns have arisen due to the increased anti-government protests staged by the “Red Shirts” faction, including a major rally scheduled in the period leading up to the holiday. Tourism groups are expecting foreign visitor numbers to drop off by as much as 40 per cent from 2008, and domestic tourists by 20-30 per cent. What this would mean is that Songkran may only generate around Bt30 billion in revenues, which is considerably less than the Bt50 billion projected earlier. The downturn during Songkran would put even greater pressure on Thailand as it attempts to reach its target of Bt500 billion in tourism revenue this year. "Political chaos in Thailand is becoming the main factor in both inbound and domestic tourism. Even tourists familiar with Thailand, such as those from Singapore and Hong Kong, are now waiting for the situation to clear up," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, as reported in [The Nation] [1]. The association executive suggested that many tourists were delaying booking their holiday until the mass rally in Bangkok has ended. In [Chiang Mai] [2], tourists have been reported to be urgently consulting travel agents for tours outside the provincial capital, as they fear confrontations stemming from the political turbulence. [1]: http://nationmultimedia.com [2]: http://1stopthailand.com/chiangmai/ 2009-04-15T09:54:00+07:00 1214 2009-04-10T09:55:39+07:00 5 true 1214-political-tensions-lead-to-fewer-tourists Andrew

Ex-Prime Minister gets a divorce Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted Prime Minister of Thailand, received an official divorce from his wife, Pojaman, in Hong Kong. The move was reportedly in an effort to save family assets amidst the growing legal case against the former Prime Minister and his wife. The ex-prime minister was recently denied a return to England, where the family was living in exile after being sentenced to jail in Thailand. Sources close to the family say that the divorce, made official at the Royal Thai Embassy in Hong Kong, was part of a strategy to help the family survive the upcoming trail on further corruption charges in the ex-prime ministers home country. A separation could help the family hold on to some of their assets. Many of the assets have been kept on Pojaman’s name. With the official divorce, it is likely that the family will be able to keep some assets, even if Thaksin accrues further charges of corruption in a trial set for next month. It is still unknown if there is any political motivation behind the divorce. "Thaksin and his wife remain very close, and they have grown even closer since their problems began in Thailand," one source said. 2008-11-16T10:50:00+07:00 981 2008-11-16T10:52:23+07:00 5 true 981-ex-prime-minister-gets-a-divorce Andrew