Bangkok loses millions over airport closures

Calcutta News.Net
Wednesday 7th January, 2009

The anti-Government protests that crippled Bangkok's two major airports toward the end of last year, are estimated to have cost Thailand US$11.5 million.

A central bank report, analyzing the cost to the economy, said the political unrest had not only affected the tourism industry but also other related industries.

It said the losses also affected the service industry and logistics, as well as other industries.

The shutdown of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports between November 25 and December 4 prevented 3.4 million tourists from visiting Thailand.

The study predicted that tourist arrivals in Thailand this year would fall 8.8 per cent year on year to 12.8 million.

Thailand's tourism industry accounts for 5 per cent of GDP and employs some 2 million people or up to 7 per cent of the country's total workforce.

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