Thai arrivals back in the black

And igniting hopes of a recovery, arrivals took a favourable turn between July 1 and 19, an increase of 14.46 per cent to 77,555 visitors, compared to the same period last year.

However, ATTA members are still far from “recovered”, notes the association's president Surapol Sritrakul, who said the government had yet to approved the much-needed five billion baht (US$154 million) loan sought to keep tourism-related businesses afloat.

ATTA members received 1.08 million arrivals from January 1 to July 19, a 26 per cent increase year-on-year.

The growth was attributed to a surge in arrivals during the first three months, as Thailand emerged from last year's crises. January's arrivals rose 77.86 per cent year-on-year, while figures for February and March climbed 77.72 and 26.41 per cent respectively.

But as the political riots whipped through Bangkok in April, lasting almost three months, ATTA’s arrivals took a dive subsequently, falling 9.88 per cent in April, 31 per cent in May and 18.26 per cent in June.

(Sources: Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok, TTGAsia)