30.04.09 Government urged to transform swine flu crisis into opportunity
Source: TNA
BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) – Thailand’s government should take the
opportunity presented by the swine flu crisis not only to contain the
outbreak and spread of the virus itself, but to transform it into an
opportunity to restore confidence in Thailand among domestic and
foreign tourists, according to Fiscal Policy Office spokesman Ekniti
Nitithanprapas.
He said the Mexican swine influenza outbreak had repercussions
around the globe, making many people reduce their travel and tourism
activities.
The flu outbreak crisis is an opportunity for Thailand to prove its
competence to manage the response, and prevent the outbreak of the
disease.
As the government contains the outbreak, Thailand would again come to the attention of tourists and foreigners.
He said Thailand had experienced dealing with the threats posed by
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza (bird
flu), which formerly broke out in Asia.
As the disease is more efficiently contained, he suggested, more tourists will shift to Asia and Thailand.
The FPO had not yet revised its growth estimate of the Thai economy
for 2009, Mr. Ekniti said, noting that the projection still in effect
says it is likely to shrink 2-3 per cent.
The economic growth projection would be revised in June because it
must take into account the country’s political turmoil, the global
economic slowdown and the impact of the outbreak of Mexican swine
influenza, he said. (TNA)
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