Diplomatic conflicts hit tourism
Published on November 7, 2009Some Thai and Cambodian travellers have cancelled their trips due to the escalation of the crisis between the countries.
Charoen Wangananont, president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, said all Thai groups who had purchased tour packages to Cambodia from local agents had cancelled their trips.
Some 600,000-700,000 Thais visit Cambodia each year, mostly through packages for visits to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.
Charoen said this was the high season and business was buoyant on the newly completed road from Thailand to Seam Reap. It is therefore unfortunate that there is a conflict, he added.
Thai Airways International has also witnessed some ticket cancellations, by 10 passengers in Cambodia and four in Bangkok. THAI operates two daily Bangkok-Phnom Penh flights.
THAI's schedule is being maintained, as are the three daily flights by Bangkok Airways.
Tassapon Bijleveld, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, said the airline was maintaining its two daily flights between the capitals.
The Nation