Thailand plans $900m tourism rescue package

The ministry was discussing a plan to give $570 million dollars in loans for Thai tourism and tourism related businesses to help revitalize the industry. The ministry would seek cabinet approval for a public relations campaign called “Apologies Thailand” in an attempt to woo disgruntled tourists back to the kingdom.

The government has also set aside a budget of $105 million to help the 350,000 travelers’ left stranded by the eight day siege of Bangkok’s international and domestic airports by antigovernment protesters.

“The cabinet has already approved in principle a healing operation to help stranded passengers return home,” said secretary, Sasithara Pichaichannarong.

Tourism deputy chief Jut porn Reungronasa said that because of the turmoil the country was expecting half as many tourists this year as it got in 2007, when 14.5 million people visited the kingdom.