Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Ecotourism with TourismIndochina

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Ecotourism with TourismIndochina

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism.

Generally, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, or "voluntourism", personal growth and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to environmental and social responsibility advocates.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting natural areas—in the remote wilderness or urban environments. According to the definition and principles of ecotourism established by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990, ecotourism is "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." (TIES, 1990).

Tourismindochina is one of the online leading and responsible tour operator in the Indochina. We are fully licensed as International tour operators No:043-05 and recognized as leading luxury holiday and vacation organizer specialized in private and group in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. With local in-depth knowledge tour operators and tour guides who is enjoyable with traveling would be able to create and provide one of the most treasured holiday to suit everybody expectation including the most discerning travelers. Bayon Heritage offers from the most exciting and enjoyable trips ranging from free-easy tours to challenging activities, in-depth exploration of culture, history, tradition, and lifestyle with a different taste of cuisine with an enchanting unspoiled landscapes of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Ecotourism with TourismIndochina:

Ecotourism development is an emerging trend being developed for responsible tourists. Ecotourism is a current diversified form of tourism contributed to national economic growth. A new form of ecotourism development drives local community to a next stage to local livelihood improvement through alternative income, diversified job, capacity building and community empowerment.

Ecotourism development in Cambodian has been progressively developed in the northeastern area, where fabulous of biological species, life style and charming alongside region of the Mekong River, is not yet completely explored. With ecotourism development, community no longer predominantly depend on previous occupation, especially agricultural productivity, but having more opportunity to gain operational skills for ecotourism demands. Tourist involvement in ecotourism activities operated by local community is an act of stepping forwards to poverty alleviation responding to one of main millennium development goals.

With a wide variety of natural creational activities, you can enjoy cycling, trekking, boating, viewing landscape, and involving with local livelihood activities like agricultural activities which will immerse you a real combination of communities’ life experiences and natural tourism in Cambodia, a Kingdom of yet explored. Through accurate ecotourism activities, negative impact will be minimize, environmental and cultural experiences and respect will be built, experiences for both hosts and visitor will be provided, financial benefit will be contributed to conservation, community empowerment will be enhanced , and sensitivity of host environmental, political, social climate will be raised.

Cambodian communities are warm-hearted, friendly, and helpful. Tasting ecotourism and other types of tourism Cambodia is looking to serve, you will feel like you make your self at home as we greet you as resident and evoke you to revisit as family. Will you enjoy tasting ecotourism in The Kingdom of Wonder? Why not! We, Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours, could drive you to taste the environmental friendly and responsible tourism with our hard working colleagues committed to ensure your quality experience via good packages provision. Waiting no more to see a charming and yet explored of the Southeast Asia.

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Tourism Indochina: Ecotourism Cambodia: Luxurious Floating Eco Lodge

Tourism Indochina: Ecotourism Cambodia: Luxurious Floating Eco Lodge

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism.

Generally, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, or "voluntourism", personal growth and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to environmental and social responsibility advocates.

Koh Kong is a province of Cambodia. The name means "Kŏng Island Province". Its capital is Koh Kong. The most south-western province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested and largely inaccessible interior which embraces part of the Cardamom Mountains and a section of Kirirom National Park. Its tourist attractions include casinos and waterfalls, while an Export Processing Zone and new port facilities are being developed for trade. After Cambodia’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge in 1979, Koh Kong was still quite unpopulated. After national government policy encouraged people to live in Koh Kong, there has been a net influx of people. It is estimated that the average annual growth rate in Koh Kong is 16 per cent, which has put pressure on the mangrove resources in the province. Koh Kong's towns have developed rapidly partially in response to market pressures from Thailand and because of in-migration from other parts of Cambodia.

Tourism Indochina: Ecotourism Cambodia: Luxurious Floating Eco Lodge:
(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2009-12-30): The 4 rivers Floating Eco-lodge comprise of 18 isolated accommodated tents with gourmet restaurant, a swimming pool and beauty message accompanying by pure fresh and atmosphere. Probably it is a unique luxurious eco-lodge in Cambodia and unique in the world, 4 Rivers floating eco-lodge provide a luxurious accommodation in harmony with truly natural and environmental friendly. Located in the Tati River, Koh Kong Province, It is a creative boutique resort of tranquility that deserve with high-end facilities.

The Tatai River is about 20 minutes from Koh Kong Province, 3 hours from Sihanouk Ville and 4 hours from Phnom Penh along highway 48. The rate of the tents is from 87USD in low season (May to September) and USD 102 in high season (October to April). While staying there, you can enjoy recreational activities by taking boat down to the river to experience mangrove forest waterway, and discovering village market, custom and natural cures and belief of the people living in Cardamom Mountain.

The place where it located comes up with the remarkable rainforest eco-region with more than 100 mammal species including numerous endangered animals and about 553 plus specie of birdlife, according to Wildlife Alliance. The fabulous and rich natural beauty that fills with diverse scenery in Cardamom Mountain is interesting to get explored and makes this luxurious floating eco-lodge wonderful to stay. Let start your world with panoramic view that 4 rivers can offers.

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Tourism Indochina: Discovery Mice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Tourism Indochina: Discovery Mice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia


Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism. Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention. Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism. Generally, ecotourism focuses on volunteering, or "voluntourism", personal growth and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. One of the goals of ecotourism is to offer tourists insight into the impact of human beings on the environment, and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities. For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to environmental and social responsibility advocates.

DISCOVERYMICE acts as tourism event producers and planners be it local seminars, national conferences or international conventions in the Asia Pacific region or in other parts of the world, promoting among others responsible tourism, sustainable development, ecotourism, community-based tourism as well as conservation for tourism. Our network among ecotourism associations, universities, ecotourism communities, international environment bodies, cultural centres and Governments as well as 10,000 selected tourism professionals and experts have helped to deliver world-class events bringing together the Asia Pacific ecotourism fraternity.

3rd World Ecotoursm Conference to be held by Dicovery Mice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia:

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2011-09-09):

Ahead of the 3rd 'World Ecotourism Conference', to be held by DiscoveryMice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, UNWTO Secretary-General outlines the value of ecotourism and UNWTO's commitment to sustainable tourism development. This event will be celebrated in Sihanouk Ville Cambodia with discussion panel about ecotourism sustainable development of Minister of Tourism in Cambodia.

The Ministry of Tourism is pleased to collaborate with UNWTO and DISCOVERYMICE to deliver yet another productive platform for global ecotourism leaders to share, learn and network. .

Our proposed sustainable and responsible development of the Phnom Penh-Sihanouk Ville Ecotourism Corridor will provide a wide range of experiences from National Parks to pristine nature reserves, Dr. Thong Kun, Minister of Tourism.

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Tourism Indochina: Tourism and the Global Economic Crisis of 2008

Tourism Indochina: Tourism and the Global Economic Crisis of 2008

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-21):

Historically all economic recessions have the same fundamental cause. An unregulated or under regulated market fuels speculative and unsecured investments which leads to a paper growth share market values which ultimately leads to a slump when the real value of shares and investments are found wanting. Economists refer to this as a correction. In the process, thousands of businesses and millions of individuals who have been sucked into the maelstrom lose their financial shirts.

The amorphous creature which constitutes the “market” throws a toddler style tantrum, panics and the value of currencies, investments and businesses. Historically national, regional and occasionally the global economy is plunged into shock. During the Great Depression from 1929-35 most democratic governments moved slowly to correct the problem. In the United States Presiodent Franklin D Roosevelt overcame intense opposition to implement his plan for massive government intervention into the damaged US economy. In 1987 the same applied and in the Asian Economic Crisis of 1997-8 Asian governments moved gingerely to head off a regional economic crisis.

In this particular financial meltdown governments all over the world, to their credit have acted swiftly, decisively and in concert to put the brakes on the panic which overtook the private sector. George W Bush’s may not go down in history as a great President of the USA but to his credit he has acted decisively if belatedly in dealing with the collapse of the market. Its too early to judge whether the actions of the G7 and the G20 will stem the global economic hemorrhaging which began in Wall Street and spread like a eubola virus around the world but as result of international government intervention, there is good reason to believe that a global depression will be averted even though there is no doubt there will be a recession of indeterminate longevity. As Dr Peter Tarlow sagely observed the tourism industry is an integral component of the global economy and there is no doubt that tourism will be affected by the outbreak of global economic volatility.

Tourism is especially vulnerable to economic uncertainty and volatility for a simple reason. Most travel and tourism involves discretionary expense. During tough economic times people conserve their cash to cover the essentials of life, food, and shelter and family necessities. However, this does not mean that tourism stops. The trend that we have learned from past crises whether we refer to past economic crises or the global tourism scare resulting from the events of 9/11 is that people continue to travel but they will travel differently from the way they do during times of economic buoyancy. Those tourism and hospitality businesses which will survive and indeed thrive in the months ahead are those which can adapt because there are always winners and losers in any outbreak of economic volatility.

In the short to medium term there is almost certain to be a trend of travelers spending less on travel. Those tourism and hospitality businesses which can adapt to service travelers on a tighter budget will do well. The demand for the luxury end of the market is likely to decrease while demand for either low cost or perceived good value products and services is likely to grow. Airlines and hotels especially need to rapidly adapt to this trend. In the currency shakeout which has occurred in recent weeks, destinations with “favorable” exchange rates may benefit. Ironically the surge in value of the US dollar and the Euro may stimulate Americans, Europeans and Japanese to resume traveling overseas. The growth of Chinese and Indian outbound travel may slow but will continue because these economies are still growing. There is likely to be a growth in domestic travel or short haul international travel as people choose to stay closer to home. If governments seek to help bail out industries they could help the global tourism industry by reviewing the plethora of crippling departure and other obscure taxes which have inflated the cost of international air travel.

However, gloomy some pundits have depicted the current economic environment most people worldwide will continue earn income from their jobs. Most will want to take a vacation, and weddings, honeymoons and illicit affairs will still continue. People will want to get away from home, make a religious pilgrimage and travel will remain part of the way people do business.

The optimistic growth forecasts of tourism associations such as the WTTC, UNWTO and PASTA will almost certainly require some revision but tourism will survive this challenge as it has overcome a wide range of challenges since this crazy 21st century began. The tourism industry will have a rough ride over the months ahead but those who think and act strategically and have to ability to adapt their business model quickly to the new realities will overcome this challenge.


By David Beirman, eTN

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Peam Krassop: Community Based Eco Tourism in Koh Kong Cambodia

Peam Krassop is a big mangrove wildlife sanctuary in Koh Kong Province. To get yourself into real nature you can take a boat to a vast waterway through mangrove forest to view how exactly extensive of this Sanctuary.

When you reach there your can see a kind of ten thousands hectares of mangrove forest, providing you extremely a unique landscape of natural scenery,. If you are looking for green and a nature lover, this place would not disappoint you and will make you an unforgettable trip experience in Cambodia.

Not only with natural beauty but you can also get in depth the friendly community who will wave you to the warm and hospitalized atmosphere with smile. In particular, they will be pleasure to show you the local food such as oysters and crabs. Not frequently but occasionally, you can see dolphin swimming and make this place more interesting and wonderful to visit.

Therefore, waste no more time to get to know this hidden treasure.

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Chi Phat, Koh Kong: Community Based Ecotourism Site in Cambodia

Put yourself into green nature and get to know the real friendly community of Cambodia. Your financial contribution will additionally and simply raise awareness of how environment and natural resource importance and worth are.

Situated in Koh Kong Province, Chi phat is one of the 6 hidden treasure sites: Less Known Tourist Destination. This site located within the Cardamom Mountains and provides for views of diverse landscapes and wildlife. The visitor can view bat carve wildlife, numerous of waterfall and rivers, ancient site with burial jars, watch birds and nature by motorboat or paddle around in a traditional rowboat. There, mountain biking and trekking can be chosen.

Mainland Southeast Asia’s largest tract of rainforest, mountain biking and trekking tours that lead to the area’s diverse wildlife and ancient burial jar sites, boat trips and sunrise bird-watching make the site special and unique for traveler especially for those who seek for nature and adventure tourism .The more you stay the more activities you can do in this hidden treasure community based ecotourism. No matter how shortly or long you stay; you will feel warm with the welcome and hospitable atmosphere of nice and friendly rural community.

If the travelers visit there, they may spend approximately 4 hours from Phnom Penh and continue to Chi Phat from Andoung Toek around 1 and half an hour to 2 hours by slow boat and 2 hours by fast boat. Fast boat can contain 7 people and cost USD 50 while slow boat can contain up to 20 people and cost USD 35. When you visit there, you will register at community based ecotourism office and enjoy your trip with various activities and accommodation ranging from one to multiple days.

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Tourism Indochina: Indochina Divulgence

Tourism Indochina: Indochina Divulgence

Indochina is a special and elegant destination you can find out the great taste of travel experiences. The mixture of travel experiences of the three countries -Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and the magic of Mekong Delta River -will immerse you to the paradise gate way of Southeast Asia. You can start your journey with Indochina exploration, a three in one destination, which has become more popular in South East Asia. With Indochina exploration, you will explore a wide variety of recreational tourism activities and enjoy:

• ecotourism activities (canoeing, trekking, meeting indigenous people ,discover the Mekong trail and fresh water dolphin )and also responsible tourism
• city tours excursion and nightlife city
• the pristine beach ( Sun, Sea, and Sand )
• regional cuisine and leaning to cook
• interaction with friendly local resident
• line of natural , cultural and historical tourism


Start your traveling from Cambodia-heart of charming Indochina- where you can see famous Kingdom of Wonder with friendly resident-and continuously to Vietnam, where you can see fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese ancient influent architecture. Endlessly, go forwards your travel to Laos PDR, where you will see the best –preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia.


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Ecotourism project looks to lure visitors to isolated Mondulkiri

Local company plans to sink US$6 million into 100-hectare site around Bou Sra waterfall, but rights groups remain sceptical about its impact

A CAMBODIAN infrastructure group, Sar Lar Co, has plans to develop the area around Mondulkiri's Bou Sra waterfall in a bid to bring more tourists to the isolated province.

But while provincial officials are pleased with the influx of cash, others question whether local communities will benefit from the project.

"If the company has good policies to deal with the community, there will not be a problem; but if the company does not discuss the project with local people, they will not be happy," said Sam Sarun, deputy director of the provincial Department of Tourism, adding that whether local communities will gain from the development is the "big question" for them.

Sam Sarin, coordinator for Cambodian rights group Adhoc in Mondulkiri province, warned that residents there had been disappointed in the past when there were no employment opportunities for community members.

But company officials say the development will provide a huge boost for the area, tapping into the ecotourism potential of one of Cambodia's most wild areas.

"We will construct motels, restaurants, souvenir shops, cable cars, cottages," Ngin Sreoun, deputy director general of Sar Lar Co told the Post, adding that the company has received a 99-year lease from the government.

"We aren't cutting down forests for the development; we are preserving the area as an ecological and charming attraction," he said, adding that the project would create about 100 jobs for ethnic minorities in the province.

Sam Sarun welcomed the investment plan as a way to draw attention to the province.

"It will be a modern tourism facility. ... The project development is very big so I hope that it will attract a lot of local and foreign tourists," he said.

Construction began Monday and is expected take up to five years to complete, company officials said.


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Cambodia: Besieged Ratanakiri minorities to reap benefits of growing ecotourism

TOURISM to the remote northeast is booming, say Ratanakkiri provincial tourism authorities, who argue the province's ethnic minority communities are uniquely placed to benefit from the upswing in visitors to the region.

Despite a global economic downturn that has seen international arrivals to the Kingdom decrease, Ratanakkiri welcomed 90,744 visitors in the first nine months of the year, up 12 percent on the same period last year.

Pal Vuth, director of the tourist office in the provincial capital Banlung, said international visitor numbers - numbering 15,236 this year to September - had been boosted by the improved road and air links to the province, including the opening of the international border into Vietnam's Gia Lai province earlier in the year.

"There is now more transportation and more services, [and] an international border crossing so tourists can cross from Vietnam directly into [Ratanakkiri]," he said, adding that visitors were drawn to the national parks and the ethnic minority villages that dot the province.

At the end of October, China announced it was providing Cambodia an US$80 million loan to pave the 118km stretch of road linking Banlung to National Road 7 at Stung Treng's O'Pong Moan, which tourism officials say will further increase tourist traffic.



Ecotourism potential Deputy Provincial Governor Sim You Song said local authorities were focusing on the province's ecotourism potential, promoting its natural beauty as an alternative to more expensive Asian destinations.

"We have promoted the tourism industry by informing people in the cities to visit the northeast region of Cambodia, particularly Ratanakkiri, rather than visit other countries," he said.

Another of the province's exotic attractions - its patchwork of distinct ethnic minority groups - is likely to witness the effects of the increase in tourist numbers, with local communities saying a growth in ecotourism could help preserve the local environment.

In Ratanakkiri, the government grants natural attractions to minority communities as "community commissions", which allow groups to maintain the sites independently.

Pal Vuth said that under the commissions, such as the one controlling Yeak Loam, a volcanic lake 5km from Banlung, the majority of money earned from the tourist sites goes to preserving the natural beauty of the sites.

"Since they live nearby, it is easy for them to manage tourist sites. The benefits belong to the communities," he said.

Trach Noung, a representative of the Tumpuon community-run Yeak Loam Lake Tourism Management Committee, said the community earned around 800,000 riels per month from admissions to the lake, which were poured directly into improving infrastructure at the site.

"To attract more tourists to Yeak Loam Lake, we try to keep everything around the lake in a natural state," he said. Six other sites, including lakes and waterfalls, are controlled in this way by local communities.



Cultural preservation Some community representatives also hope ecotourism will encourage the preservation of traditional customs.

Van Sokim, 25, a Krung indigenous representative from Tangkropu village in Ratanakkiri's O'Chum district, said his community welcomed tourists for the financial benefits, but said it could also help preserve indigenous traditions.

"Krung indigenous people do not care about their culture, they do not wear their traditional dress," he said. "If there were tourists visiting the community, people would preserve their culture in order to attract tourists."

Ek Yothin, provincial program director of the Indigenous Community Support Organisation, agreed that tourism offered many benefits to minority communities.

"The positive effect is that communities can benefit from selling the visitors arts and crafts," he said.

However, a fresh influx of outsiders could accelerate other developments that are eroding traditional cultural practices, he said.

"Some people come as tourists to assess the land of the villagers, to see what the possibility is for a rubber plantation. They do not come to help the community," he added.

Dam Chanthy, the Jarai director of the Banlung Highland Association, said tourism would be hurt by the threat of land-grabbing by rich businessmen, cases of which have multiplied across the province since 2004.

The Jarai village of Kong Yu, in O'Yadao district, is currently fighting a high-profile case against Keat Kolney, sister of Finance Minister Keat Chhon, over 450 hectares of communal land she claims to have purchased in 2004.

"If there is land-grabbing among ethnic minorities, it will strongly affect the number of tourists," Dam Chanthy said. "Most tourists want to see places where ethnic minority people live and farm, but if those lands are grabbed, where will they live and farm?"

Pal Vuth said that tourism, properly managed, could help preserve indigenous culture.

"The tourism authorities never talk about tribal peoples' tradition," he said. "The government takes care of Angkor Wat but ... [it] does not motivate tribal people to maintain their traditions."

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Thai political violence threatens tourism, economy

Thailand's worst street violence in 16 years has already started to hurt the lucrative tourist industry and will do nothing to help an economy feeling the effects of the global credit crisis, tourism officials and analysts said.

Two people died and over 400 were injured on Tuesday when police clashed with demonstrator’s intent on toppling the government. That ended a period of comparative calm after a short state of emergency in response to previous unrest in September.

"Bookings have recovered since the lifting of the emergency rule. But there have already been some cancellations from Asian travellers since the incident yesterday," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

"The impact is unavoidable, but the extent of the damage depends on how the situation ends ...Will it be a happy or a painful ending? Of course, another coup will be bad," he added.

Thailand had a military coup in September 2006. An elected government that took office at the start of this year has been contested in the streets since May.

Apichart said there were no additions to the list of countries that issued travel warnings because of emergency rule.

However, Thai Airways International THAI.BK said on Wednesday that it would cut flights to Asian countries from next week because of a fall in passenger numbers due to the political unrest and the global financial crisis.

Thais have also been less willing to leave home because of the trouble.

"Yesterday's events were real sad," said Maiyarat Pirayakoset, president of the Association of Domestic Travel.

"Domestic travel has recovered to 60 percent of normal since the emergency was lifted. But new bookings after the clashes are a worry, especially because we are in the money-making high season."

Thailand is banking on 600 billion baht ($17.4 billion) in revenue from 15.5 million tourist arrivals this year. The sector directly employs 1.8 million people and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product.



DOING ALL RIGHT Business seemed to be holding up in Bangkok's Khao San Road, a popular destination over the years for low-budget tourists and not very far from parliament, where Tuesday's clashes occurred.

"It's not as crowded as before. But we're doing all right, we still have new bookings despite some cancellations," said guest house owner Thongchai Nonthaleeluk.

Home to some of Asia's best beaches, Thailand has remained a top tourist draw despite the SARS epidemic, the Indian Ocean tsunami, bird flu and the 2006 coup.

But the long-running protests have hurt, and the appointment of new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat last month has done little to help, despite his initial talk of reconciliation.

"People had hoped things would get better after we had a new premier. But the clash is taking us to the same old political situation," said Aat Pisanwanich, head of international trade studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. "Nobody knows what will happen and that's hurting confidence and the economy," he said.

Consumer confidence in August was already at its lowest this year.

In September the Chamber of Commerce said the political turmoil, if prolonged for another month, could cost the economy as much as 62 billion baht and might drag growth below 5 percent this year after 4.8 percent in 2007.

Foreign investors have sold a net $3.8 billion of Thai shares this year, and the value of foreign investment applications slid 44 percent in the first eight months compared with a year earlier to 179 billion baht, according to the Board of Investment.


Source:Bangkok Post

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