I've got a last one for you : i didn't shave myself this morning. Not because i'm lazy, but because of political unrest.

I've got a last one for you : i didn't shave myself this morning. Not because i'm lazy, but because of political unrest.

Is it you Fidel Castro?

Another fine example of the government's intentions towards Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka

I can only think that if the present government is soon somehow no longer in power, it's members and mostly those interfering with the auditor general will pay a dear price for their attempts at muting the ones trying to speak out on corruption. Som nam na

TAT Central region Claims Current Political Tension Creates Little Impact on Tourism in Trat Province

Deputy Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand Central Region 5, Phapimol Monthapong(ภาพิมล มณฑาพงษ์) revealed that current political tension has yet affected tourism in Trat (ตราด) province, however she said that if the tension goes on, it may have repercussions to the overall tourism picture in Thailand.

She revealed that there is a consistent flow of tourists coming to Trat Province. She expects that more travellers will visit the Eastern part of Thailand in the latter 2006.

Mrs. Phapimol said that the hotels and resorts are fully booked for Songkran(สงกรานต์) festivals, especially large hotels and resorts. She indicated that tourists have made advanced bookings for the small sized accommodations.

Deputy Director of TAT Central Region 5 indicated that accommodations are fully reserved during weekends as it is now the school holidays. She said tourists mostly travel as a family or group on their own to Koh Chang(เกาะช้าง).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2006

60,000 Chinese and Singaporean tourists cancel Thailand visits due to political crisis

BANGKOK, March 20 (TNA) - Thailand's tourism has begun to feel the pinch of ongoing political crisis as more than 60,000 Chinese and Singaporean tourists have cancelled trips to the kingdom during the past three weeks, Thailand's tourism agency said Monday.

Juthamas Siriwan, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the ongoing crisis on tourism has significantly impacted this month as many tourists have dropped their plans to visit the country.

She said Thailand had generated at least Bt 88 billion (US$2.2 billion) from higher tourist arrivals during the two pervious months.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has faced a series of mass protests calling for his resignation over the sale of shares in his family-owned telecom company to a Singaporean firm. The political crisis did not end after he dissolved parliament and called for a snap election on April 2.

''I do hope to see expected growth in tourism if the current political crisis does not prolong,'' said TAT governor. She hopes the country would generate Bt427 billion (US$1-.7 billion) from tourism this year--an increase by 18 per cent over last year.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Chatusripitak urged TAT to work harder to prevent a slump in foreign tourism.

Somkid who is also a deputy prime minister on Monday chaired a meeting of officials from government agencies to review growth in the economy, exports, investment and tourism.

The meeting found higher value in the country's exports during the past two months, with a reduced foreign trade deficit, while there has been more new investment, particularly in electronics.

However, he expressed concern over the growing slump in tourism during the past two months due to political instability. (TNA)

60,000 people x 60,000 baht =3,600,000,000

assuming 1,500 usd per person in total spending inside the country ..... that's a hel_l of a loss!

TAT Central region Claims Current Political Tension Creates Little Impact on Tourism in Trat Province

Deputy Director of TAT Central Region 5 indicated that accommodations are fully reserved during weekends as it is now the school holidays. She said tourists mostly travel as a family or group on their own to Koh Chang(เกาะช้าง).

So they are not external tourists..............

Just Thai's on having a break in the school holidays.

I doubt they will spend much money.