Supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra forced the closure of an Asian summit in Pattaya on April 11, before taking to the streets of Bangkok where a state of emergency was declared for almost two weeks. Street battles between protesters and soldiers left two dead and 123 people injured.

Tourist arrivals from northeast Asian countries were particularly affected, with visitors from this area dropping by more than 30 per cent in first half of the year. But the ministry said the industry recovered later in the year, with a five per cent growth in all visitors in September year-on-year. --