Thai economic ministers approve USD514m in funding for tourism businesses

Thai economic ministers approved plans to provide USD514 million to tourism businesses affected by Bangkok's recent political protests (The Nation, 08-Jun-2010). The amount is to be proposed for Cabinet approval on 08-Jun-2010. The ministers also approved plans to provide Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) with USD11 million in funding to restore domestic tourism in the next three to four months. TAT had requested USD49 million. Federation of Thai Tourism Association welcomed the funding but stated it does not believe the industry will recover in less than three months. It added it hopes the government will provide more funding later.