Khao Sarn business owners call for anti-Thaksin protest to end

Business owners in Bangkok's famous Khao Sarn Road backpacker tourist haven Wednesday called for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to end its demonstrations to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying the ongoing protests have caused business losses as weary tourists are avoiding the road because protesters are camping out nearby.

Piyabutra Jivaramonaikul, chairman of Khao Sarn Road Business Association, said the number of tourists visiting Khao Sarn Road has slumped by 40 percent this month after protesters have camped out at nearby Misakawan Junction and Makhawan Bridge.

He said Khao Sarn Road, which is usually packed with backpackers, especially during April's Water Festival, would suffer further losses if the protest continues.

Foreign tourists are tired of traffic jams and the strange and stressed atmosphere caused by the protests , Mr. Piyabutra said, and many will either cancel their plans to visit Khao Sarn Road or shorten their visits.
''Normally, we see about 10,000 foreign tourists visiting the road each day, but now we have only 6,000 of them," he said.

"Owners of businesses, hotels, restaurants, shops and even taxi drivers have all been affected. We fear more losses if the protest continues until Songkran [water festival] next month,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Surat Wongcharnsil, chairman of the Banglampu Vendors Club, said business owners in the area have not taken sides, but they want all parties in the political conflict to understand the business losses being caused by their act.

He said guest houses and hotels on the road were normally booked up during the Songkran Water Festival. But this year, only 40 percent of rooms have been taken.

''Thanks to the Internet, tourists could find out about the places they want to visit beforehand. If they learn about the ongoing anti-leadership protest in our country, they will choose to go somewhere else,'' he said.

''If the demonstration continues, it would surely affected our tourism,'' he said.