Tourism bodies dismayed by unrest

The federation asked the protesters to soften their stance, or else their actions would destroy tourism in the long term.

Association of Thai Travel Agents president Apichart Sankary said some meetings by Chinese and Japanese had been cancelled and that the situation would worsen if the protest were prolonged.

"No matter how bad the global economy grows, the magnitude is incomparable to the problems at home. All parties must stop damaging the country," he said.

The Thai Hotels Association (THA) reported some meetings and incentives from abroad had already been cancelled, to avoid any violence.

"If the political situation is prolonged, I think more business travellers will cancel," said THA president Prakit Chinamourphong, adding that violence was the last thing Thailand needed, because that could produce a very low tourism season.

Tourists from Europe and Asia have already cancelled trips to Thailand. Prakit said that after Songkran, some operators might start laying off workers or shutting down their businesses.

While meeting with the eight associations that constitute Fetta, Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa assured all that despite the growing political chaos that crippled Bangkok's traffic yesterday, Suvarnabhumi Airport would not be seized by protesters again.

"If the protesters close the airport or any ports, I will resign," Chumpol told the associations.

Board of Trade deputy secretary-general Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said growing anti-government tension had worsened Thailand's image and dramatically brought down investor confidence.

"We [businessmen] are very concerned with uncontrollable situations, such as the closure of Bangkok's port followed by the airport closure. The government must urgently end the protest and all violations," he said.

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot said there were growing concerns among foreign traders as to whether Thai exporters would be able to maintain their competency.

He said the government would order the 66 Thai trade offices abroad to clarify the situation with trade partners and tell them the government thinks the protest will end soon.