Yesterday the Thai government issued a message of confidence following the carnage seen last week as a result of a temple bombing in the Ratchaprasong area of Bangkok.

The country is coming out of a period of depressed international travel after last year’s civil unrest (see last paragraph for statistics) and this latest terrorist atrocity risks hitting Thailand’s tourist traffic once again.

In the statement, the government says: “The Royal Thai Government wishes to reassure the public that the situation is under complete control of security officials. Additional security personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, have been deployed to patrol every area so as to accord maximum security to the general public.

“In addition, we would like to convey to all foreigners travelling to Thailand that the government shall be doing its utmost to provide a safe and secure environment for the duration of your stay in Thailand.”

BKK TRAFFIC WAS ON THE MEND…

Tourism Authority of Thailand adds: “As normality returned to the areas of the city most popular with tourists – thanks to an increased security and police presence – TAT would like to assure all friends of Thailand that tourist activities are continuing as normal in Bangkok and throughout the country.”

In the six months of fiscal year 2015 (ending March) operator, Airports of Thailand, reports that Bangkok’s main airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK), had traffic of 27.04m up by +6.9% but well below Thailand’s overall passenger traffic increase of +17.9%.

However, in the next quarter (ending June 2015) BKK’s traffic growth had almost caught up with a +22.9% increase to 12.61m. This compares with Thailand’s overall passenger traffic rise in the period of +28.7%.