Thailand aiding stranded tourists

BANGKOK, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Thailand has chosen six Bangkok hotels as check-ins for tourists left stranded by the takeover the city's commercial airports by protesters, officials said.

Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat and other government ministers said the country is committed to getting tens of thousands of foreign tourists home, and will take them to regional airports and military bases to do so, the Thai News Agency reported Saturday.

People's Alliance for Democracy protesters wanting to topple the Thai government have occupied and closed Bangkok's two commercial airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, in an effort to bring the tourism trade to a standstill.

Weerasak told reporters the stranded tourists are being given $55 in per diem cash from the government as they await transport arrangements.

Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaipravat told the news agency that at least $28 million has been lost because of the PAD protesters' airport moves, saying the number of tourists coming to Thailand next year is expected to drop by 50 percent to between 6 and 7 million foreigners.