Latest news
Business as usual in Bangkok claims PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has issued a statement to the global travel trade with assurances that tourism businesses are operating as normal in Thailand despite the coup d’etat which is currently underway in the country.
PATA president and CEO, Peter de Jong, said that: “so far at least, the situation here is calm and non-violent”.
Several operators and reservation companies have reported cancellations however, including Central Hotels & Resorts, Grand Diamond, Minor International and Wired Destinations.
General manager of Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts, Andrew J Wood, said that the property had seen occupancy fall from 74 per cent to 51 per cent following start of the coup.
Chetsada Techprasertporn, general manager of the Grand Diamond Suites Hotel in Bangkok, was keen to reassure travellers: “All our guests are comfortable and continue to enjoy their shopping and sightseeing,” he said. “Nothing untoward has happened, especially to tourists visiting Thailand.”
Jeffrey Leong, EVP corporate planning for CB Richard Ellis, added: "News coverage, headlines and pictures of tanks and military personnel are not representative of the main parts of Bangkok.
“Other than some government offices and communication networks occupied by a military presence, most other parts of Bangkok are normal." Details: www.pata.org/crisis