Tourist Industry Take Hit

[Guest GaySacGuy]

(CNN) -- Thousands of tourists have been left stranded after two blasts at Bangkok's giant Suvarnabhumi Airport wounded four people and triggered its closure, dealing another blow to the country's travel industry.

 

The airport, which was swamped by protesters, is one of the major travel hubs in the region.

 

The blasts come a day after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the airport in an ongoing battle to oust Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who was returning from an economic summit in Peru.

 

The travel industry has already seen a drop off in tourist numbers after protesters shutdown Phuket airport for two days in August and with continued anti-government protests in central Bangkok resulting in violence.

 

The British Foreign Office has warned tourists to take care in the city after two people were killed and more than 400 were injured during recent clashes between protesters and police.

Recent bomb and grenade attacks have resulted in an additional two deaths and 20 injuries.

 

The Foreign Office says "there remains a possibility of further violence," with the political situation in Thailand "very uncertain."

 

The U.S. State Department has also warned people traveling to Thailand to exercise caution, especially in locations where Westerners congregate.

 

"They should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and avoid crowds and demonstrations."

 

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, head of the Tourism Council of Thailand, told The Associated Press that the bombings, at the height of the high season which runs from late October to February, could cut income from tourism to half the expected 240 billion baht ($6.8 billion).

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With gay venues depending on tourism for ...guessing here... 90% of their income, this could be a very bleak "high season". With no opening of airports in sight, it can only get worse. People stuck in Thialand will work to find a way out, but those arriving will just change plans in most cases. There are quite a few people who would have traveled here between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and they are gone!!

[Gaybutton]

I agree. Actually, when they say the tourist industry will lose half its income, I think they're being optimistic. I believe they'll lose a lot more than that, especially if this airport nonsense continues much longer. If that ends up happening, then how would the foreign tourists get to Thailand in the first place?

 

[Guest fountainhall]

And let's not forget that the tourism industry has still not recovered from the downturn resulting from the declaration of the State of Emergency late in the summer. So hotel bookings were not at their usual peak season levels - even before the latest shenanigans.

[PattayaMale]

I am not as pessimistic when it comes to the gay traveler. Families of course may not come in droves.

 

I have all ready seen many of the regulars who visit each year show up. They are having fun, not being bothered here in Pattaya, and complaining about high drink prices as usual since some have a bit less in their pocket.

 

Maybe bars should start to compete on lowering prices and see if they actually sell more and profit more. The doom and gloomers are all ready predicting they will go under anyway. Might as well go out with a bang!!!

[Guest GaySacGuy]

I am not as pessimistic when it comes to the gay traveler. Families of course may not come in droves.

 

You don't have to be pessimistic about the gay traveler...When he can't get here. If you were in the US right now, you really have no reasonable method of travelling to Thailand. Until the airports reopen, travelers won't be arriving!!!

 

Seats on some airlines may open quickly once the airport opens...if it does..as there will be lots of cancellations.

 

It appears that it will take some time after they get the ...protestors, squatters, terrorist, tresspassers..out of the airport, as there is some damage that will have to be repaired, and a full security sweep will have to be done.

 

Can you imagine what would happen if some protestors attempted to take over Los Angles International Airport. They might succeed in shutting the airport terminal down for a few minutes, but they would be removed by whatever means necessary within minutes. The failure to act early when the protesters were first arriving at the airport is going to cost Thailand dearly.