Well, LOS wants to be the 'hub' of SE Asia and it may go that way as long as the airports are unoccupied. Tourists will simply change planes in BKK and continue to cheaper, more exotic and more peaceful destinations surrounding the Kingdom. I know a few people who have done it that way lately..........

Well, LOS wants to be the 'hub' of SE Asia and it may go that way as long as the airports are unoccupied. Tourists will simply change planes in BKK and continue to cheaper, more exotic and more peaceful destinations surrounding the Kingdom. I know a few people who have done it that way lately..........

Maybe they could do that with all the 'Russkies', just move them on to other destinations, t'would be the answer.

Maybe the TAT realized that there are other places than Thailand for tourism ... have some friends who decided to go to Caribbean instead of Thailand this year.

And they will be sadly disappointed. The Caribbean is expensive and crowded in high season. Outside of the uber expensive 5* resorts the service levels and ambience are dismal. Europeans will flock to Thailand this winter because economic conditions have improved. Even Ireland is coming out of its fiscal crisis. Thailand is still one of the cheaper destinations to dash off to for a holiday. It's a pittance to grab one of the LCCs out of Australia to Thailand. Traditionally the Chinese don't come in November-January. They are fill ins during shoulder and rainy season. Peak season is dominated by Europeans and Australians and they aren't easily discouraged by some political discord.

The Scandanavians have a choice: A cold dark winter or a respite in a land they know and are comfortable in. Despite all the hype, Malaysia's austere view of scantily clad hotties from Denmark, and of Norwegians and Swedes boisterous drinking hasn't helped attract the EU tourists market as one would have expected. Malaysia has had its own political problems and Singapore just had its first Indian/Bangladeshi guest worker riot in decades. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia don't have the beach resorts and the airfares to get there are still more expensive than a charter from AMS/LGW/FRA//CPH etc.

It's cold in the Meditteranean region and the once popular tourist destinations of North Africa and Egypt have fallen on tough times, due to the various insurrections and direct attacks on tourists. Historically, Thailands tourists are not targeted. Bali is nice for a one off visit, but it's a confined over developed little place where active people quickly become bored.

Thailand is a country where one can experience multiple facets of the culture. From a lazy day of island hopping from Krabi. to hiking in the jungle from Chiang Rai. Issan is a wonderful adventure filled with warm and kind people. The streets of Udon Thani were clean and the drivers more polite than anything I ever saw on Phuket. Even Bangkok, despite the cloud of protests, offers excitement and so many places of interest to see. Yes, there are some political issues, but it's part of the landscape and presents minimal risk to those visitors looking for a quiet beach stay in Hua Hin/Cha Am or the laid back life of Nahkon Si Thammarat.

Sum nam naaa! I love it. Now what can we do to get the rest of the ones that are here to leave? Looks good on ya Thailand.

the biggest threat to tourism in Thailand is thai people themselves... because once you know them

Guess it depends upon where you visit, many people have told me they have been to Thailand, most of them in the south and Bangkok..... I never judge one area, I like to travel around, the only purpose Bangkok has for me? to get out of there and head to the land of Issan..... Just a thought...

kilosierra

I am curious to know what the tourist figures are for Chinese New Year.

The elections will probably take place at the start of the week of CNY.

As I am visiting that week, I am hoping they are put back, so I don't have to experience it.

What will happen afterwards when the current 'leaders' are voted in?

Please not the fuckin airport again!!!!!

the biggest threat to tourism in Thailand is thai people themselves... because once you know them

I have no such problem with the issan people up in the nrtheast, there are some boneheads but nowhere near as many as in bangkok!

Looks like Benito Suthep will be putting a big strain on the pockets of his Hi So Bangkok hotelier friends. Just hope that they realise what he is doing to them. But i guess he will just blame Thaksin or the government and his sheep like followers will believe him.

Looks like Benito Suthep will be putting a big strain on the pockets of his Hi So Bangkok hotelier friends. Just hope that they realise what he is doing to them. But i guess he will just blame Thaksin or the government and his sheep like followers will believe him.

I doubt if revolutionary change for the better should take the backseat to commercial interests, but as your a PTP supporter I guess you would believe that industrialised corruption should take precedence over public welfare.