Thailand will take steps to improve the safety of foreign tourists , officials said on Thursday, a day after a 14-year-old boy shot dead two people, including a Chinese tourist, inside Bangkok's popular Siam Paragon shopping mall.
Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol stressed that the shooting at the mall in the capital was an “isolated incident.” However, law enforcement agencies will tighten checks on weapons at shopping malls and other tourist spots, she told Bloomberg.
A 34-year-old Chinese woman and a Myanmar national working at the mall were shot dead by the 14-year-old gunman; five others were injured, including a Chinese national.
Tourists run from the shopping mall after yesterday's shooting
The shooting casts a shadow over Thailand’s hopes of boosting foreign tourism under a visa-free program for visitors from China and Kazakhstan. The country aims to attract 30 million international visitors this year, more than double the number in 2022, and expects a full recovery next year with 40 million.
Thailand is counting on international tourists to fuel its economic recovery in 2023 as it grapples with headwinds from falling exports and higher interest rates.
Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput said today that the fallout from the shooting on the tourism industry needs to be monitored, adding that the sector has recovered to 60-70% of pre-Covid levels.
"The shooting has damaged tourist confidence and sentiment. It also raises the risk of a downturn in Thailand's fragile economic recovery. The government will need to do its best to restore confidence," said Burin Adulwattana, chief economist at Bangkok-based Kasikorn Research Center.
Shares of hotels, shopping malls and airlines fell in Bangkok trading, dragging the SET Travel and Leisure Index to a one-year low. Central Plaza Hotel Pcl fell as much as 8.5%, led by hotel declines, while mall operator Central Pattana Pcl fell as much as 2.8%, Asia Aviation Pcl fell as much as 4.5% and Airports of Thailand Pcl dropped as much as 3.6%.
Police inside the shopping mall
The Tourism Authority of Thailand and other agencies will also step up communications strategies to ease tourists' concerns and improve Thailand's image as a safe travel destination, officials said at a briefing on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Srettha spoke to the Chinese ambassador late yesterday and made a statement that the government would take "the highest safety measures" for tourists, AFP reported.
At Siam Paragon today, October 4, security was increased in some areas and bag searches were carried out - but not at all entrances to the vast shopping mall.
Responding to Thanh Nien , Vietnamese travel companies taking tourists on tours to Thailand said that tourist groups still depart normally, tourists are a bit worried but it does not affect the itinerary. Siam Paragon is a place where many foreign tourists and Vietnamese tourists like this destination because it is located right in the center of Bangkok, with many items to shop. In particular, there are many famous restaurants and eateries here...
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