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Bangkok, Thailand, September 21, 2006 — Reports received from TAT offices, local and international travel trade associations, travel and tourism-related operators and media over the past two days indicate that the peaceful and bloodless coup d'état staged by Thai military leaders on 19 September 2006, has had minimal impact on Thai tourism.

Described as “the most peaceful military coup in Thai history”, not a single gunshot was fired. There have been no reports of violence, bloodbaths, civil disorder or mass protests as a result of the coup in any part of the country.

All TAT offices remained open throughout 19 September and are operating as normal. TAT domestic offices have been monitoring the situation in their respective areas of responsibility, with some reporting no change to tourism status as tourists wait to see how the situation evolves. There has been no cancellations of media familiarization trips organized by TAT overseas offices in Thailand during the months of September and October 2006, with a total of 57 media persons from 9 countries scheduled to come, including from major television programs like “Getaway” of Australia’s Nine Network.

Read the full news item and regular updates on the official Tourism Authority of Thailand Newsroom web site. See also the Pacific Asia Tourist Association Coup News web page for ongoing updates.