BANGKOK, September 20, 2006 — The Thailand Chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said the impact of the military coup on Thailand's tourism sector has so far been minimal and that visitors should definitely continue with their plans to visit the country.

At 1530 hours Bangkok time on September 20, the Thailand Chapter issued the following summary:-

• Domestic and international airports, airline services and airport transfers are operating normally in Bangkok and throughout the country. Road traffic in Bangkok is about 50% of normal density.
  
  
• Hotel guests can check-in, check-out and move around normally. Some hotel managers, as a precaution, advised their guests to stay inside the hotel this morning.
  
  
• Shopping malls, restaurants and the majority of commercial outlets in Bangkok are open for business.
  
  
• Some tour operators today cancelled or adjusted tour itineraries that would have gone near Government House and the Rattanakosin sector of Bangkok where there are many government offices. Tour operators expect to resume normal tours tomorrow, September 21.
  
  
• The local meetings sector has been impacted. There have been cancellations of meetings for today, September 20. Government offices, major bank branches and schools are not open in Thailand today.
  
  
• Some hoteliers and conference organisers have expressed concern that the meetings sector may experience some cancellations in the short to medium term.
  
  
• The Thailand Travel Mart, September 26-28, will go ahead in Bangkok as planned, said the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
  
  
• There have been no reports of violence, civil disorder or mass protests. This has been a bloodless coup. Armed forces leaders have appeared on Thai language television appealing for support and continued peace.

Mr Bob James, the Chairman of the PATA Thailand Chapter, said: "As you walk about the downtown areas of Bangkok there is very little to suggest the unusual, except that the traffic is lighter. Visitors here are saying that Thailand is as open and welcoming as usual. Thailand is still a great and safe place to visit. No question."

About the PATA Thailand Chapter
The PATA Thailand Chapter supports travel and tourism to and within Thailand. The Chapter comprises over 120 companies representing hotels, airlines, tour operators, convention venues and tourism-related government bodies.

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