BANGKOK, Thailand (4 Dec 2008) — The turmoil that has turned travel to and from Thailand into a nightmare for thousands of holidaymakers is set to inflict lasting damage on the country's tourism industry. The Asia-Pacific area was already suffering a downturn in plane traffic before the latest political unrest in Thailand. Now, with pictures of violence, sit-ins and travellers' despair being beamed around the world, the outlook for future visitor numbers to Thailand is bleak. Last year, Thailand with its warm climate, friendly people and idyllic beach resorts, welcomed 860,000 British visitors. For UK long-haul holiday company Kuoni, Thailand is the second-biggest world destination, with the Maldives in first place. Along with other UK tour operators and airlines offering flights from the UK to Bangkok, Kuoni has suspended all Thailand trips for the time being. A Kuoni spokeswoman said: 'We're just hoping that everything calms down before the the big Christmas rush starts.' The Thailand turmoil could not have come at a worse time. The best period to visit the Asian country is between November and April when the weather is at its driest. Many Britons travel at this time of year to escape the gloom and cold of a UK winter. Many of those travelling from the UK are backpackers, lured by the ease of travel, the welcome from the locals and the cheap cost of living. Now all has changed. It's been estimated that the Thai tourist industry has been losing more than £55 million a day because of the unrest and it is forecast that the number of people visiting the country could halve. Asia-Pacific plane passenger numbers dipped 6.1 per cent in October 2008 - the fourth consecutive decline. 'We're going to face empty rooms and empty-plane syndrome,' said Andrew Wood, general manager of the Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts in Bangkok. He told news company Bloomberg: 'Thailand's international market is being wiped out, and hotel staff everywhere are being allowed to take unpaid holidays.' | 
