Tourists in Songkhla spooked by violence

 Prapas Inthasas, an official of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the province's tourism industry is definitely hit as train station and the Hat Yai International Airport were closed on the day. He said if the condition continues, it would exacerbate the situation.

 He is concerned that there would be no visitor at the International Tai-Chi Fair on September 6. The fair is expected to draw 2,000 visitors. However, the TAT would not cancel the fair as Malaysia and Singapore have confirmed their participation.

 "We should know for sure this weekend the magnitude of impacts on hotels and tour companies," he said.

 Songkhla Hotel Association president Somchart Pimtanapoonporn said the violence in Bangkok has raised concerns among Malaysian tourists. "We can't tell them exactly that they would be safe in Hat Yai, as the situation shows otherwise," he said.