Dear Friends; The situation is almost as if nothing has happened. Everyone is working,
getting on with their lives, even the stock market had only a slight
correction today and the baht is holding steady.
As Luzi Matzig, MD of Asian Trails was quoted recently, it was “a coup as
smooth as silk” to paraphrase THAI International Airlines slogan. Even the
military apologized for any inconvenience when they went on National TV
yesterday. Something unheard of on previous occasions.
Airlines-all are operating normally and Bangkok Airways even started to use
the new airport “Suvarnabhumi” ahead of the official opening which took
place on Sept 28.
TTM - The Thailand Travel Mart is also still on - taking place next week
with over 300 buyers still confirmed to attend.
Banks, schools... in fact everything is all open and operating as if nothing
happened.
In order to prove sincerely that they do not want to hold onto power any
longer than is necessary, the military re-affirmed that they will hand over
power in 2 weeks time.
Yesterday I suggested it may take two weeks to get back to normal. Now I
think it IS back to normal. My hotel occupancy has steadied and we will be
running between 65-85% occupancy over the next 3 days and over 90% for the
following week, which is a few percentage points above budgeted levels.
So I think this may well be my last update as I honestly do believe it was
the quietest coup ever. In order to support the normalization of the Tourism
Industry, please do feel free to pass this message on.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew J Wood General Manager Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok
& Skๅl Int’l Councillor-Thailand
