International tourists still flock to Thailand despite bombings

Three days after the attacks, international tourists still flock to Thailand despite warnings from several embassies in Bangkok.

On August 11 and 12, 11 bomb attacks occurred in 5 provinces of Thailand, killing 4 people and injuring dozens of others, including about 10 foreigners. Unlike previous sporadic attacks, the terrorists targeted famous tourist and resort areas of the country such as Phuket and Hua Hin.

Tourists entering Thailand.

This is clearly a blow to Thailand's tourism industry, a bright spot in the gloomy economy of the Land of Golden Pagodas.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the attackers deliberately targeted the tourism industry, causing panic among tourists and reducing revenue. Police also admitted that the attackers could have caused more damage but they did not want to do so, their purpose was to destroy Thailand's tourism industry.

However, the prompt actions of the Thai police have helped tourists somewhat overcome their fear of being attacked. Security has been tightened at airports and crowded places, security forces have been deployed densely and warnings have been sent to tourists.

Three days after the attack, international tourists still flocked to Thailand despite warnings from several embassies in Bangkok that tourists could become easy prey for terrorists.

An army guard post was set up right on the street of Bangkok.

“Yes, it is a big problem, I came to Thailand on August 12 and have been here for 4 days, so far I have not had any problems,” said Ms. Frandenen, a Danish tourist.

Paul, a tourist from the US, shared: “I don’t feel worried at all, I think not everything is bad and I hope it won’t affect my trip.”

The feelings of Mr. Paul and Ms. Frandenen seem to be the common sentiment of foreign tourists coming to Thailand at this time, a little scared but they still do not cancel their trip. According to the reporter of Voice of Vietnam, at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the number of international visitors entering Thailand is still very large and no different from the time before the attacks.

Tourism is a “golden goose” for Thailand, attracting nearly 30 million international visitors each year, earning over 100 billion USD and contributing about 7% of the country’s GDP. In 2015, Bangkok alone had 18 million international visitors, second only to London, England.

The Erawan Shrine area in Bangkok is still crowded with tourists.

On August 13, the police announced that they had the situation under control and pledged that no further similar attacks would occur. In key areas or crowded areas, even the military was deployed to ensure the safety of tourists.

As the year of the terrorist attack on the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, which killed 20 people, most of them Chinese tourists, approaches, Thailand continues to suffer another fatal blow to its tourism industry. However, it seems that the attraction of tourism in the Land of Golden Pagodas is still very great and the lurking dangers do not prevent foreign tourists from ignoring Thailand./.

According to VOV