ID :
116338
Mon, 04/12/2010 - 21:11
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http://m.oananews.org//node/116338
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100 charter flights from China cancelled after violent clashes
BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) – About 100 charter flights from China to Thailand for this week's Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year, have been cancelled as a result of the State of Emergency in Bangkok and nearby provinces and the bloody clashes of Saturday April 10.
Only 10 charter flights remain scheduled during April 10-13, as Chinese travellers are not confident regarding Thailand’s security under the current political circumstances.
According to Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) president Wichit Prakobkosol, some 30 charter flights remained in operation during the timeframe the Thai government invoked the Emergency Decree on April 7. However, the violent clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters on Saturday evening which left 21 people dead and more than 800 injured led to further flight cancellations.
He said the cancellations by the Chinese travellers were because Thailand’s political situation is still unpredictable, and insurance companies have no policies to compensate losses occurring in incidents under a state of emergency.
Mr Wichit said if the stalemate prolonged, it would have an impact on the arrivals of Chinese tourists, which would continue to decrease.
He also urged the government and the protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to negotiate for a solution soon, for the private sector was still expecting to continue its tourism businesses with China owing to the likely number of tourists and Chinese affection for Thailand.
If the situation improved and the warning level of travelling to Thailand was reduced from level 4 to 3 or 2, the president said, Chinese tour agents would again be confident to organise more trips to the country.
“We can still take what is going on because we see the potential in Chinese tourists. If the situation is back to normal, they will come back, and the Chinese authorities also understand and support us,” said Mr Wichit. (TNA)
Only 10 charter flights remain scheduled during April 10-13, as Chinese travellers are not confident regarding Thailand’s security under the current political circumstances.
According to Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) president Wichit Prakobkosol, some 30 charter flights remained in operation during the timeframe the Thai government invoked the Emergency Decree on April 7. However, the violent clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters on Saturday evening which left 21 people dead and more than 800 injured led to further flight cancellations.
He said the cancellations by the Chinese travellers were because Thailand’s political situation is still unpredictable, and insurance companies have no policies to compensate losses occurring in incidents under a state of emergency.
Mr Wichit said if the stalemate prolonged, it would have an impact on the arrivals of Chinese tourists, which would continue to decrease.
He also urged the government and the protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to negotiate for a solution soon, for the private sector was still expecting to continue its tourism businesses with China owing to the likely number of tourists and Chinese affection for Thailand.
If the situation improved and the warning level of travelling to Thailand was reduced from level 4 to 3 or 2, the president said, Chinese tour agents would again be confident to organise more trips to the country.
“We can still take what is going on because we see the potential in Chinese tourists. If the situation is back to normal, they will come back, and the Chinese authorities also understand and support us,” said Mr Wichit. (TNA)
