Bangkok, Nov 18 (IANS): Most tourists to Thailand have not considered martial law, currently enforced nationwide, as an obstacle to their visits to the southeast Asian country, according to an opinion poll, results of which were revealed Tuesday.
According to Bangkok University's poll recently carried out with 1,044 visiting foreigners, 70 percent of the respondents said they had not viewed martial law, imposed since the May 22 military coup which deposed an elected government, as a deterrent to their decision to travel to Thailand, compared to 30 percent who considered otherwise.
Most made up their mind to travel to this country with the intention to see and admire its culture, arts and traditions, followed by 17 percent who had intended to see its tropical seas and islands and stay at beach resorts, Xinhua reported citing the poll.
Martial law had been earlier speculated to be lifted at world-renowned tourist spots such as Pattaya, Phuket and Samui island which had apparently remained unaffected by political unrest though it would remain effective in all other parts of the country.
Tourism and Sports Minister Korbkarn Watanawarakura earlier said that martial law has not adversely affected tourism anywhere and that no business sectors, especially those dealing in tourism, had called for an end to it as yet.
Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha repeatedly commented that "political undertows" currently persist, albeit in hidden fashion, and patiently wait to instigate a mass uprising against his military-led government, thus necessitating the prolonging of martial law.
Besides, according to the strongman who orchestrated the coup himself, various sections of the society might possibly confront and provoke each other and finally trigger bloodshed and chaos in the country, given their opposing and uncompromising political views.
He said the prolonged conflict in Bangkok's streets and elsewhere in the provinces which, according to him, could possibly have escalated into civil war, had prompted him to seize power and try his best to prevent it.
According to the poll, 86 percent of the respondents considered Thailand a safe destination, compared to 2.4 percent who deemed it otherwise while 11.5 percent were undecided.
The poll found 92 percent of the responding visitors saying they would come back again and they would recommend to their friends and relatives to travel to Thailand.
It also found 22 percent complaining about taxi and tuk-tuk (tricycle taxi) having overcharged fares or having taken detours while 15 percent moaned over traffic jams in the capital.
However, 12 percent of the respondents complained about trouble while communicating in English with Thai people, said the poll.