Cartoon Capers
Your free weekly newspaper since 2008
issue 2 61 13 December 2013
Area 555 Property Local Information He Who Laughs Last...
waiting Victor game
guesthouse open 24/7
Naresdamri Rd. opposite Brasserie de Paris
will political fallout hurt hua hin’s tourism?
hua hin, THAILAND Once again as the tourist high season is about to get into full swing, Thailand’s political chaos is threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on good tourist trade through the months of December to April hotels, guesthouses, bars, restaurants and a whole host of other areas of business are wondering if the anti-government protests and the election to be held on Sunday 2nd February 2014 will damage their earnings. This week the Thai Ministry of Finance made an inexact but telling statement that “the effects of the political demonstrations over the past month on the economy are now clearly visible. A large chunk of foreign tourist arrivals has disappeared because of the tourists’ concern over rallies turning violent.” This, however, contradicts what the tourism authority, TAT, had said previously, when they played down the effects the unrest was having. The evidence in Hua Hin is difficult to assess, although anecdotal evidence from business owners seems to suggest that tourist numbers in the town are down at present, although Hua Hin normally does not see a big pickup in numbers until after Christmas, and this may still be the case this year now that the protests are winding down. What can be said is that anyone who comes to Hua Hin will be completely unaffected by the political crisis; as long as outside governments don’t continue to over react with travel advisories which invalidate travel insurance, one of the biggest reasons tourist might cancel their trip here. The upside for tourists is that they are now getting better exchange rates as the baht suffers substantial falls, which are likely to continue.
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GET RACING FROM ONLY 400 BAHT! OPEN EVERYDAY 10.30AM - 7PM, LATE NIGHT BY APPOINTMENT Call 032 547 199 (Office) or 081 817 3000 (Mobile) Soi 2, Phetchkasem Road opposite Hua Hin Airport
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