Tourism falters due the unrest

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Political Tensions Put Thai Economy Under Pressure as Tourism Falters
By Ron Corben
Bangkok
05 September 2008



Thailand's heightened political tensions have sent a shudder through
the economy, hitting the share market and the tourism industry. As Ron
Corben reports from Bangkok, industry groups have called on Prime
Minister Samak Sundaravej to end the state of emergency to avoid
further damage to the economy.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade say the state of
emergency imposed this week sends the wrong message to the
international business community.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gestures during a news conference
on imposing of the state of emergency in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gestures during a news conference on
imposing of the state of emergency in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued the decree after pro- and anti-
governemnt protesters clashed on Tuesday, leaving one person dead and
many others injured. He said Friday he is considering lifting the
decree soon.

Some business leaders have called on Mr. Samak to comply with the
protesters' demand that he resign. But Thursday, Mr Samak said he
would stay on, "for the sake of democracy".

Chulalongkorn University economist, Sompop Manarangsan, says the
outlook is grim, especially given the global economic downturn, which
hurts demand for Thai exports.

"I think it's going to be more serious now because now Thailand is not
only facing the internal problem, but also having to face the
challenge of the global trend of recession," he said.


An anti-government protester stands guard outside Government House in
Bangkok, 05 Sep 2008

The People's Alliance for Democracy began protests earlier this year
criticizing the government over steps to alter the constitution.
Thousands of PAD protestors are now encamped in the compound of the
government's main administration building.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand says $45 billion in share value has
been wiped off the market this year due to the political uncertainty.
Foreign investors have dumped more than $3 billion worth of shares.

The tourism industry is suffering, as several countries have warned
their citizens to avoid visits to Thailand because of fears of more
violence.

Tourism contributes six percent of gross domestic product, with
earnings in 2008 expected at over $17 billion.

Tourism groups say arrivals at Bangkok international airport are down
30 percent in recent days, costing around $11 million a day in lost
revenue.

John Koldowski, a spokesman for the Pacific Asia Travel Association,
says part of the problem is that protests have closed airports and
disrupted flights.

"That [the closures] would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of those
directly affected," he said. "And that would spread around the globe
pretty quickly as connected as we are - so yes that would be a
negative perception."

Anusorn Buranakanonda, the managing director of investment firm, BT
Asset Management, says experienced investors will see the political
uncertainty as a test of Thailand's ability to overcome short-term
problems.

"This is not the first time that Thai society has faced some political
problems but in the past few years," he said. "Society has managed to
overcome the problems - putting the problem behind and moving on -
this crisis I hope will be very much the same."

Thailand's economy expanded by 5.7 percent in the first half of the
year despite slower world growth.

The central bank says the growing political tensions will cut growth
for the second half of the year, but says the damage should be short-
term.

why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

On Sep 6, 11:12*am, wrote:
A trusted source of news
and information since 1942

Political Tensions Put Thai Economy Under Pressure as Tourism Falters
By Ron Corben
Bangkok
05 September 2008

Thailand's heightened political tensions have sent a shudder through
the economy, hitting the share market and the tourism industry. As Ron
Corben reports from Bangkok, industry groups have called on Prime
Minister Samak Sundaravej to end the state of emergency to avoid
further damage to the economy.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade say the state of
emergency imposed this week sends the wrong message to the
international business community.

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gestures during a news conference
on imposing of the state of emergency in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gestures during a news conference on
imposing of the state of emergency in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2008
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued the decree after pro- and anti-
governemnt protesters clashed on Tuesday, leaving one person dead and
many others injured. He said Friday he is considering lifting the
decree soon.

Some business leaders have called on Mr. Samak to comply with the
protesters' demand that he resign. But Thursday, Mr Samak said he
would stay on, "for the sake of democracy".

Chulalongkorn University economist, Sompop Manarangsan, says the
outlook is grim, especially given the global economic downturn, which
hurts demand for Thai exports.

"I think it's going to be more serious now because now Thailand is not
only facing the internal problem, but also having to face the
challenge of the global trend of recession," he said.

An anti-government protester stands guard outside Government House in
Bangkok, 05 Sep 2008

The People's Alliance for Democracy began protests earlier this year
criticizing the government over steps to alter the constitution.
Thousands of PAD protestors are now encamped in the compound of the
government's main administration building.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand says $45 billion in share value has
been wiped off the market this year due to the political uncertainty.
Foreign investors have dumped more than $3 billion worth of shares.

The tourism industry is suffering, as several countries have warned
their citizens to avoid visits to Thailand because of fears of more
violence.

Tourism contributes six percent of gross domestic product, with
earnings in 2008 expected at over $17 billion.

Tourism groups say arrivals at Bangkok international airport are down
30 percent in recent days, costing around $11 million a day in lost
revenue.

John Koldowski, a spokesman for the Pacific Asia Travel Association,
says part of the problem is that protests have closed airports and
disrupted flights.

"That [the closures] would leave a bitter taste in the mouth of those
directly affected," he said. "And that would spread around the globe
pretty quickly as connected as we are - so yes that would be a
negative perception."

Anusorn Buranakanonda, the managing director of investment firm, BT
Asset Management, says experienced investors will see the political
uncertainty as a test of Thailand's ability to overcome short-term
problems.

"This is not the first time that Thai society has faced some political
problems but in the past few years," he said. "Society has managed to
overcome the problems - putting the problem behind and moving on -
this crisis I hope will be very much the same."

Thailand's economy expanded by 5.7 percent in the first half of the
year despite slower world growth.

The central bank says the growing political tensions will cut growth
for the second half of the year, but says the damage should be short-
term.

"???" wrote in message
...

why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

Peace is better than war - at any time.

On Sep 7, 5:15*am, à´ª wrote:
why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

Kind Regards,
Brian Anasta

wrote in message
...
On Sep 7, 5:15 am, à´ª wrote:
why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

----

Not to mention that at least three of those four countries have armed forces
used only for quelling internal dissent, not as expeditionary combat troops.
I suspect being invaded by Laos would be akin to being flicked with a wet
towel.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

the domestic violent and abuse in thailand can go nowhere; the poor
pple are the only pple who suffer the most. if the insiders can't stop
the troubles, i think outsiders have to help like a wake up call. to
you and some is rubbish, but to the peace makers, most the time peace
comes at a price of war.

it is not a disrespectful thing it is just a warning expression.


On Sep 7, 1:11*am, wrote:
On Sep 7, 5:15*am, à´ª wrote:

why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

Kind Regards,
Brian Anasta

On Sep 7, 5:11*pm, wrote:

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

Kind Regards,
Brian Anasta

******* ROTFLMAO.
As rubbish goes you and your mate Kramer are experts in the field.
How goes the "arrangements" for the upcoming nuptials?

But the idiotic poor pple are still staying on the street to protest, willingly
being exploited.

"???" wrote in message
...
the domestic violent and abuse in thailand can go nowhere; the poor
pple are the only pple who suffer the most. if the insiders can't stop
the troubles, i think outsiders have to help like a wake up call. to
you and some is rubbish, but to the peace makers, most the time peace
comes at a price of war.

it is not a disrespectful thing it is just a warning expression.


On Sep 7, 1:11 am, wrote:
On Sep 7, 5:15 am, à´ª wrote:

why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

Kind Regards,
Brian Anasta

grusl wrote:


Not to mention that at least three of those four countries have armed forces
used only for quelling internal dissent, not as expeditionary combat troops.
I suspect being invaded by Laos would be akin to being flicked with a wet
towel.

Cheers,
George W Russell
Bangalore

Dear George,

Hello there and thank you very much for your support on this issue. I
think it is very important that provocative posts such as the one in
question are very much unnecessary and uncalled for and do nothing to
assist in quelling the current unrest in LOS.

I must also admit your quote ("being invaded by Laos would be akin to
being flicked with a wet towel") did give me quite a chuckle too heh.

Kind Regards and speak with you again soon George,
Brian Anasta

why not if they are paid? money talks.


On Sep 7, 5:54Â*pm, "mohor yen" wrote:
But the idiotic poor pple are still staying on the street to protest, willingly
being exploited.

"???" wrote in message

...
the domestic violent and abuse in thailand can go nowhere; the poor
pple are the only pple who suffer the most. if the insiders can't stop
the troubles, i think outsiders have to help like a wake up call. to
you and some is rubbish, but to the peace makers, most the time peace
comes at a price of war.

it is not a disrespectful thing it is just a warning expression.



On Sep 7, 1:11 am, wrote:
On Sep 7, 5:15 am, à´ª wrote:

why burma, malaysia, laos and cambodia don't invade thailand at the
same time?
it is the best time to have war.

This IS an extremely provocative AND disrespectful thing to say on our
forum board. You SHOULD feel ashamed of yourself for even suggesting
this, even though I ASSUME you are only joking.

Please THINK before you post such rubbish next time.

Kind Regards,
Brian Anasta- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -