He said desecration of the shrine would lead to a decline in tourists, particularly from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, who have been regular worshippers at the shrine and who consider it an important destination in their Thai travels.

"The damage to Phra Prom has shocked all Thai people as well as tourists, particularly those from Asia. In addition to tourists, the Erawan Shrine is a popular venue among Asian artists and celebrities, who visit to pray for good blessings," Prakit said.

However, he said no Asian travellers had cancelled their trips because of the incident so far.

Kitti Thanakitamnuay, director of Kirimaya Khao Yai, said the incident will have an impact on tourism because visitors, particularly those from Asia, regard the Erawan Shrine as one of their major destinations.

"Each year, more than a million visitors make the trip to Bangkok to worship at Brahman Shrines," he said. "The Erawan Shrine is a key attraction for some short tourism packages of between two and three days."

He said many tourists had already cancelled trips to Thailand over the past two to three months because of the country's political problems and conflicts. The damage to the Erawan Shrine will further dampen their wishes to visit the Kingdom.

"Over the past few months, our occupancy rate at Kirimaya Resort in Khao Yai has plunged from 80 per cent to only 40 per cent," Kitti said, adding that a person destroying one of Bangkok's most revered statues reflected the overall problems in Thai society. Many tourists were beginning to consider safety as a factor when travelling to Thailand.

Richard Graves, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, yesterday joined an indemnifying ceremony held in the Brahman shrine area. The hotel, in cooperation with the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation Erawan Hotel, will help restore the shrine as soon as possible.

In addition to the hotel and tourism industry's concerns, the desecration of the Erawan Shrine sent a shock through the shopping centres in the Rajprasong area.

"As Thais, we want to share our regrets for the damage to the Erawan Shrine, which is a significant and respected venue and has been a part of the Rajprasong area for a long time," said Korakot Srivikorn, executive director of Gaysorn shopping centre.

"The damage to the Brahman Shrine will have a sentimental impact on any Thais or foreigners who have respected and visited it," she said.

Surapon Jiamsuwan, vice president of The Erawan Group Plc, issued a statement yesterday which read: "The Erawan Shrine is under the care of the Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation Erawan Hotel. The Erawan Group Plc, which owns the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Amarin Plaza and Erawan Bangkok, which are situated very close to the Erawan Shrine, shares the public's regret regarding this unfortunate incident. Than Tao Mahaprom Foundation Erawan Hotel and the Ministry of Culture are working together to restore the shrine as soon as possible. The Erawan Group Plc will assist these efforts."

Suchat Sritama,

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation