Consumers Take It Lying Down: Thailand Airport Closed by Protestors

As you've no doubt heard the political unrest in Thailand has led to the closure of Suvarnabhumi (Golden Land) International Airport by Thai people angry at the government in their country and demanding the prime minister's resignation.

I can't help but think that, whilst this protest may be effective in achieving their goal of getting an already beleagured PM to step down, it's not going to help their country in the longer run.

Thailand's economy is more dependent on tourism than any other Asian economy (around 6% of GDP). Tourism consumers have been very forgiving of the countries political unrest over recent years, but that will probably change now.

Holding your visitors to ransom is not a good plan.

If I was stuck in that airport I would start a peaceful protest; making sure that all the journalists reporting from it had people holding placards in their photos and film: "Don't visit Thailand".

The people trying to get home have paid for a product they aren't getting, and have also invested a little as consumers of the country they visited. They deserve to be treated far better.

Philip Graves [Consumer Behaviour Expert]