Bangkok’s events scene unscathed by political tension?

With the ongoing political unrest in Thailand, the Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports have missed their targets for the year end in terms of visitors, reported the Bangkok Post.Traditionally a golden period for airport operators, this year saw only 140,000 passengers passing through each day from Oct. 28 through Dec. 12, which is still an increase, but of only 2 %. Growth at Don Muang reached only 1 %, compared to the forecast of 8 %, with about 15,000 daily travelers during the same period, said the article.Also, at least 30 countries have warned their citizens about visiting Thailand.However, industry players claim it is business as usual for events in Bangkok.Stefan Ludwig, project director ASEAN at Imagination based in Bangkok said that the agency had recently delivered an auto show for one of its key clients and was already working on another event happening in March, “which gives us an indication that demand for sales-events, road-shows and promotional campaigns continues as high as usual,” said Ludwig."Imagination delivered the Thailand International Motor Expo 2013 for one of its clients. The show took place from 28 November to 10 December and its attendance was as high as usual, with over a million visitors, and vehicle sales within the expected range," he said.The Tourism Authority of Thailand has also been sending out alerts that the industry is alive and kicking.It announced how its countdown celebrations, the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2014, will be organised as planned in seven major cities – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri (Pattaya), Songkhla (Hat Yai), Phuket, Khon Kaen and Chiang Rai from 25 December, 2013 to 1 January, 2014, as planned.It also said that a convention-cum-incentive of 600 dealers and salespersons from Amway India proceeded normally between 4-6 December, 2013, with no interruptions or disruptions.Have you come across any events that were cancelled? Please contact us at elizabethl@marketing-interactive.com