eTN Lead Story

Thailand: Civil war with a smile?

By Luc Citrinot and Thomas Steinmetz

BANGKOK, Thailand (eTN) - Thailand seems to face increasing difficulties to control its political development. Again, street protests marred with violence forced the Thai government to cancel an ASEAN summit in Pattaya. The event is then likely to further derail Thailand’s tourism recovery, which was seriously battered last year by political instability.

The political situation in Thailand is slightly different than last December when the yellow shirts took to Bangkok streets and finally blocked completely both Bangkok airports during a week. This time, the current Abhisit Vejjajiva looks more stable as it has the backing of large parts of Thailand’s political and economic elite as well as of the Royal army. It strikes a difference with the previous government of Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of deposed ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. What ever the solutions found to the new crisis, the declared state of emergency for six hours in Pattaya- infamous for its entertainment industry- is another serious blow to Thai tourism. It shows that no place is immune from political turmoil, even in a city living principally from tourism.

The lifting of the measure In Pattaya after six hours was followed on Sunday with ASEAN summit’s cancellation will definitely have an impact on ASEAN arrivals, which account for 60 percent of all visitors to the kingdom. Asian travelers remain indeed more sensitive to political instability and their safety than Europeans, more mature in their travel behavior and less likely to be impressed by political demonstrations.

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