Thailand tourist arrivals fall 10.9% amid political tensions

The number of tourists arriving in Thailand in July fell 10.9 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the Department of Tourism, showing the key industry has not recovered from dents caused by prolonged political tension. -- PHOTO: AFP&n
The number of tourists arriving in Thailand in July fell 10.9 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the Department of Tourism, showing the key industry has not recovered from dents caused by prolonged political tension. -- PHOTO: AFP 

BANGKOK (REUTERS) - The number of tourists arriving in Thailand in July fell 10.9 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the Department of Tourism, showing the key industry has not recovered from dents caused by prolonged political tension.

The lucrative tourist sector, which accounts for about 10 per cent of the Thai economy, suffered its biggest drop in visitors in June - the first full month after the army took power on May 22 in a bid to end tensions and get economic activity going again.

The July total was 1.91 million, compared with 1.56 million in June. Arrivals from China, Thailand's biggest source, tumbled 25.3 per cent.

For January-July, arrivals declined 10.7 per cent from a year earlier.

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