Anti-government protesters want to totally block Bangkok from January 13

The number of foreign and local tourists who spent time in Cambodia’s coastal destinations increased in 2013, according to provincial officials in Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong provinces.

“Visitors come here for the beach and seafood,” said Seng Kha, director of tourism in Preah Sihanouk.

The total number of tourists travelling to the area in 2013 reached more than one million, according to Kha.

Foreign visits swelled to 302,325, a 42 per cent rise compared with the same period in 2012.

Domestic tourist figures rose 12 per cent to 731,604.

BANGKOK - Thailand Caretaker Minister of Transport Chadchart Sittipunt is concerned about a possible blockade of all roads leading to Bangkok as evocated by current anti-government protesters. The movement is ignited by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs coming from the rank of the opposition and also a dubious personality whose name is already tainted in many corruption scandals.

The man who placed himself at the forefront of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) plans a mass rally to shut down the whole of Bangkok to force current Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign and postpone an election now planned for February 2. Mr Thaugsuban’s New Year “gift” to Bangkok inhabitants –and consequently tourists- is a total blockade from January 13, 2014. In a speech on January 1st at Democracy Monument in Bangkok historical city centre, the anti-government protest leader announced that Bangkok shut down could last between “5 and 20 days”.

Caretaker Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt disagreed of Mr. Thaugsuban act of taking Bangkok residents as hostages. In a message on his facebook account, the caretaking Minister will coordinate with various ministries and State Agencies ways to counter the siege of the capital.

It is still too early to assess if the planned blockade of Bangkok will really happen or not. Especially as Thai military commandment start to indicate that they do not rule out a possible military coup after observing over the last two months “benevolent neutrality” over the situation. Whatever future developments, there is at least a consequent that Bangkok will have to bear: likely massive trip cancellations by many foreign travellers to the capital city as no one wants to see its holidays spoilt by protesters. Many travellers probably still remember the seizure of Bangkok airports by protesters back to 2010. Mr Thaugsuban already advised people to stay in Provinces if they do not want to suffer in Bangkok. An advice which shows how deep he seems disconnected of the real world.

Chinese tourists ranked number one, followed by Russians and Vietnamese.

Bun Beang, the director of tourism in Koh Kong, said foreign tourism has increasing noticeably.

Thai tourists frequent the beaches and resorts, while locals head to eco-tourism destinations like Ta Tai, Chi Phat and Trapang Rong.

According to Bun Beang, foreign visitors in Koh Kong province reached 47,446, a 514 per cent rise of foreign visitors in comparison to the number in 2012.

The total number of local visitors shot up to 96,080, a 16 per cent rise from a year earlier.

Kampot and Kep also saw a rise in tourism.

Mok Sekano, deputy chief of tourism in Kampot, said the casino on Bokor mountain is becoming a main attraction for the province.

“Vietnamese visitors rank number one,” he said.

Famous for its crab market, Kep province is a 25-kilometre drive from Kampot.

Som Chenda, a provincial tourism official, said Kep is riding the coastal tourism wave.

“More hotels and restaurants are being built. It’s a reflection that more tourists are coming to this province.”

Sourced: TravelDailyNews