Businesses return to normal in Bangkok's Ratchaprasong area

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) - Businesses in Ratchaprasong area in the heart of Bangkok have returned to normal and the number of visitors to shopping centers there has risen by 20-30 per cent in the first half of this year, in the wake of past political protests. Chai Srivikorn, president of Ratchaprasong's trade association, confirmed Monday that the purchasing power of Thai and foreign tourists has already returned to normal in Ratchaprasong, thanks to the opening of new hotels and the Thai government’s decision to raise daily minimum wages and monthly salaries of new graduates of bachelor’s degrees. Chai acknowledged that the number of international tourists in Ratchaprasong area has increased to 260,000-270,000 a day, or by 20-30 per cent year-on-year in the first half of this year, and the figure should rise to 350,000 a day next year. Chai said that more facilities, including more surveillance cameras and better lighting systems, will be installed; while elevated walkways will also be extended in Ratchaprasong to nearby Pratunam areas, and that the development, he hopes, will promote Ratchaprasong area as a regional trade and lifestyle center, competing with Singapore and Hong Kong. However, the president of Ratchaprasong's trade association, pointed out that local business operators remain concerned over, probably, risks from renewed political demonstrations in the area, urging that political affairs be contained in the Thai Parliament. (TNA)