Mentors Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 The tourism industry has lost more than a billion baht in bookings because of cancellations ahead of this weekend's anti-government rally, Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA)chairman Aphichart Sangka-aree said on Tuesday. “I have asked hoteliers and was told that many Chinese and Japanese attracted by the government’s MICE incentive programme had cancelled their hotel reservation for this weekend, and many of them deferred plans to visit Thailand during this week and next,†Mr Aphichart said. This had cost the tourism sector more than one billion baht. MICE is an acronym for "meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions". He called on the red-shirts to rally peacefully and refrain from laying siege to any state offices as it would derail the recovering economy. The chairman of the Domestic Tour Business Association, Maiyarat Peerayarnkoseth, said members would this afternoon meet Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House for a briefing on the political situation and the use of the Internal Security Act in Bangkok and nearby provinces during the red-shirt rallies. Business operators were worried that the use of the security law would cost them dearly in lost clients. He pointed out that at least 31 countries have advised their citizens to avoid traveling to areas where the demonstrations take place. More countries were likely to issue similar warnings, he added. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/170884/planned-rally-causes-b1bn-in-damage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Hi, These travel agencies - and TOT - aren't very smart, are they? They could turn this into a MASSIVE spectator sport, gladiator style, sell tickets, TV licensing fees, etc. Make it 'last man standing' and you solve the red vs yellow issue as well. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 9, 2010 Report Share Posted March 9, 2010 Survivor! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckwoww Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Great idea KS! It could be marketed like Songkran with tear gas and live ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Rats! No rumble. << The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the so-called Yellow Shirts, on Tuesday issued a statement, stating its clear stance to refrain from any activities during the planned weekend mass rally of its Red Shirt rivals, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD coordinator, said in the PAD's statement the group will not make any move during the Red Shirt rally, but will monitor the situation and be ready for a later move. ... The PAD coordinator criticised the UDD's planned rally on March 14 as intentionally meant to pressure people and society rather than the government with their announcement to paralysing the capital, blocking traffic at Bangkok’s four gateways and targetting key government offices. He warned the UDD's strategies may eventually backfire as the people who disagree with their action and the 'silent majority' might rise against the UDD and that may lead to confrontation among Thais. >> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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