by Reinhard Hohler, Chiang Mai

According to the breaking news of www.bangkokpost.com, (today, 20.2.2010) the planned mass anti-government demonstration later this month by the red-shirt people group could have a negative impact on the tourism sector, Prakit Chin-amornpong, Chairman of the Thai Hotels Association, said on Saturday.

Some countries, including Belgium, England, Germany, Canada, Australia and Japan had already advised their citizens to avoid traveling to rally sites for safety reasons, Mr Prakit explained.

Foreign tourists, especially Chinese, might refrain from visiting Thailand as they fear the demonstration would turn to violence, he added.

The chairman said the number of tourists visiting the country in January increased from the same month last year by 17.5 per cent to 1.5 million.

This year would be a golden year for Thailand’s tourism sector, if there is no unrest, because the world’s economy is steadily recovering and more foreign arrivals are expected.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Pronphan announced on Friday that a mass rally will be held after Feb 26, the judgement day on Thaksin assets case, but the exact date has still to be discussed.