Tourists turn away from Thailand amid political uncertainty

Asian tourists have begun turning away from Thailand, official statistics show, prompting concern that holidaymakers might be avoiding the kingdom because of its continuing political woes.

The number of tourists arriving from East Asia dropped by 7,3% in the first two months of the year, compared with the same period in 2006, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said.

"Sensitive Asian tourists, from Japan, for example, have been scared away from Bangkok due to security concerns," said Pornthip Samerton, MD of travel agent Destination Asia.

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Security fears keep Asian tourists away from Thailand

BANGKOK, APR 10 : Asian tourists made fewer trips to Thailand this year due to security concerns after New Year's Eve bombs killed three people in Bangkok, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

East Asian arrivals fell 7.3 % in the first two months of this year from last, it said, raising concerns some holidaymakers may be avoiding the "Land of Smiles", where tourism accounts for 6% of the economy.

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Asian tourists wary of Thailand after bombs

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Asian tourists made fewer trips to Thailand this year due to security concerns after New Year's Eve bombs killed three people in Bangkok, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

East Asian arrivals fell 7.3 percent in the first two months of this year from last year, it said, raising concerns some holidaymakers may be avoiding the "Land of Smiles", where tourism accounts for 6 percent of the economy.

They accounted for about half of the visitors in the first two months of this year to a country which had a coup in September and faces an insurgency in the Muslim-majority south, in which more than 2,000 people have been killed in three years.

European were the second largest group at 35 percent.

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LaoPo

look forward to hearing why this is a good thing ..........................