Unrest hits tourism in North
Written by Writer on Saturday, October 25th, 2008
CHIANG MAI
Unrest hits tourism in North
CHEEWIN SATTHA
CHIANG MAI : This northern province, one of the country’s top tourist destinations, is bearing the brunt of the political conflicts in Bangkok, with China telling its people it is not safe to go to Thailand. The low number of tourists has forced many tour agencies to shut down, while hotels have unusually low bookings, even though the peak tourist season is starting in the province, said Songwit Ittipatanakul, chairman of a tourism business group in Chiang Mai.
”We can’t say we’re not affected [by politics],” said Mr Songwit.
Although the main setting for clashes between the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship has been in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the hometown of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has not escaped the repercussions.
Some Chiang Mai residents support the PAD, but another pro-government group, which calls itself the Rak Chiang Mai 51, has thrown its support behind the Somchai Wongsawat government, which has been accused of acting on behalf of Thaksin.
With these unresolved confrontations ongoing, Mr Songwit expects local tourism to grow by only 5% between this month and March next year.
However, he is hoping for a brighter future after the province held the Chiang Mai and North Tourism Forum 2008 early this month, which invited tour agencies from more than 40 countries to visit Chiang Mai. The event was aimed at stimulating tourism this year, which is expected to generate about two billion baht in revenue, he said.
However, Mr Songwit said tourism operators need to find new selling points for both hotels and tourist spots to attract more visitors.
Chiang Mai zoo director Thanapat Pongpamorn said the zoo’s artificial snow building had been 80% completed and would be open to tourists in February next year.
The building, a new feature of the zoo, has two zones.
One is for visitors who want to experience touching snow for the first time, and the other is for those who want to have a closer look at the two giant pandas in residence there.
Bangkok Post
Saturday October 25, 2008
