Tourist Attitudes toward Traveling in Thailand after the Political Demonstrations and Protests

Rawewan Maliwan,Bahaudin G Mujtaba

doi:10.5539/jms.v2n1p16

Abstract

The objective of this research was to explore tourists’ practices in Thailand duringthe demonstrations in terms of security, information and tourists’ perceptionsabout the political problems. The study was limited to the Bangkok area, which is surrounded by many important institutions including the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi, which was shut down by the protesters. Using a random sampling process, the respondents were 200 male and female tourists of various nationalitieswhowere presentduring the demonstrations. Responses were gathered in tourist areas such as Bangkok, Sukhumvit, Kaosan Road, Suwannaphumi Airport, and Silom Road. The findings showed that the demonstrations have short-term negative effects on tourism but no long-term impact; most respondents stated they were willing to come back to Thailand. However, they did suggest Thailand could improve in terms of providing information to people, tourism security and regaining political stability to bring backthe imageof apeaceful country. Significant relationships were found between the demonstrations and tourists’ feelings. Implications and recommendations are provided for tourism businesses in Bangkok as well as for the entire tourism industry in Thailand.

Highlights

While Thailand is experiencing the downturn of the economy in the same manner as other countries around the world, coupled with severe flooding problems in the latter parts of 2011, surprisingly they have been able to maintain an unemployment rate of less than one percent and they have elected their first female Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, member of the Pheu Thai Party
The findings showed that the demonstrations have short-term negative effects on tourism but no long-term impact; most respondents stated they were willing to come back to Thailand
This study aims to explore tourists’ attitudes toward Thailand after the Demonstration based on age and gender

Summary

Introduction

While Thailand is experiencing the downturn of the economy in the same manner as other countries around the world, coupled with severe flooding problems in the latter parts of 2011, surprisingly they have been able to maintain an unemployment rate of less than one percent and they have elected their first female Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, member of the Pheu Thai Party. While these are exciting times for Thais as the first female prime minister has been elected, government officials have to work toward a climate of stability and the acquisition or attraction of new visitors to their country while retaining high tourist satisfaction levels in order to have a sustainable economy. Aside from being one of the main educational centers in the country, ChiangMai province is fast becoming a tourist spot because of the beauty of the natural resources and the rich/cultural heritage such as the presence of ancestral buildings

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