BANGKOK, Nov 18 — Some 70 per cent of foreign tourists queried said imposing martial law did not affect their decision to visit Thailand, while 86 per cent thought the country was safe for tourists, according to the poll.
The Research Institute of Bangkok University (Bangkok Poll) surveyed 1,044 foreign tourists for their opinions on visiting Thailand now under martial law.
It found that 72.9 per cent arrived in Thailand for leisure, 21.6 per cent for business and 5.5 per cent for meetings with friends, relatives and lovers.
It also found that 20.7 per cent of surveyed tourists wanted to experience Thai culture, tradition and arts, 17.6 per cent would like to see Thailand’s sea and beaches and 16.1 per cent would tour local shopping places such as the Chatuchak weekend market.
Asked if martial law in Thailand influenced their decision to visit the country, 70.1 per cent said it did not and 29.9 per cent said it did.
Of the respondents, 86.1 per cent said Thailand was safe for tourists and only 2.4 per cent did not think so.
Regarding what Thailand should urgently improve, 22.3 per cent said taxi services that overcharged, did not use fare meters and took long detours, 15.7 per cent pointed to traffic congestion and 12.7 per cent thought of the poor English communication of Thai people.
