DHAKA: From backpacker districts to high-end hotels, more than a month of opposition protests in the Thai capital are taking their toll on the kingdom’s tourism sector, with hundreds of thousands of travellers staying away.

Dozens of countries have issued travel warnings related to the mass street demonstrations against prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, mostly advising people to exercise caution near the main rally sites.

The political situation reduced the influx of inbound tourists in the month to mid-December by an estimated 300,000 people, eight percent, compared with the number expected, Yutthachai Soonthronrattanavate, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, told media, reports The Straits Times.

‘Entrepreneurs are concerned that the protests might not end before January or February,’ he said.

BDST: 2045 HRS, DEC 15, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor