Back to normal

BANGKOK – Announcements about the further loosening of Thailand’s imposed curfew since the Military Coup on May 22 rhythmed last week every two days on average. And finally, the Military Government repealed the curfew for the entire nation on Saturday night. National Council for Peace and Order spokeswoman, Patamaporn Ratanadilok na Phuket explained that the decision was taken as the situation in the country was back to normal with no protest movements being organized for the time being. 
 

However, the curfew could be re-established if the military at the head of the National Council for Peace and Order(NCPO) feels the necessity, especially in case of demonstrations. Meanwhile the Martial Law is still in place to maintain order, forbidding demonstrations and gathering of more than five persons.” If we cannot maintain the current level of calm, we will have to reconsider re-enforcing the curfew,” NCPO deputy spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree explained to Thai media on Saturday. 
 

The lifting of the curfew will definitely help bring back confidence for travellers and help the tourism industry. After the Military Coup of May 22, most of Thailand’s tourism professionals got worried about the impact of the combined martial law and curfew.

“Another term for “martial law” should be found as it has a very strong negative impact in the mind of many tourists despite the fact that it does not carry the same value than in other countries”, indicated during the Thailand Travel Mart Juttaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor in charge of Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. 
 

A return to normalcy for tourism is now likely. In the past, negative events in Thailand were generally offset in a time frame of three months. Luckily, the military coup and the consequent curfew were established during Thailand’s low season… Hopes remain high among professionals to end up the year on a high note again!