Despite last month’s Bangkok bombing, in which several Chinese nationals were killed and more hurt, mainland visitors continued to flock to Koh Larn.
Passenger ferries from Bali Hai Pier Aug. 24 were crammed with Chinese visitors, as well as a few European travelers.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports said a week after the Aug. 17 bombing that tourist arrivals had fallen 7 percent from this time last year. A Finance Ministry official forecast the country would lose 300,000 tourists due to the tragedy, trimming 0.05 percent from the country’s gross domestic product.
Australian tourist Dean Cosenza said he wasn’t scared or panicked by the Bangkok bombing, as he trusts authorities’ efforts to protect tourists.
Pattaya has since stepped up safety with police and military patrolling Pattaya tourist areas to reassure visitors.
Dean Cosenza, an Australian tourist, said he was in Pattaya while the bomb exploded at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong commercial hub. He said he wasn’t scared or panicked, as he trusts authorities’ efforts to protect tourists.
