Transportation’s performance began with a smooth path at the beginning of 2013 but became more sophisticated during the last quarter. Anti-government protesters had a negative impact as many international flights to Bangkok were cancelled, in particular from Asian tourists. Some areas and roads were blocked which resulted in great difficulty in travelling within Bangkok. In addition to the struggle at the end of the year, other months showed a strong demand in tourism and boosted positive healthy growth of overall transportation in 2013.
PROSPECTS
Air is expected to take a lead generating the largest value sales from domestic and international tourists. Air transportation is the most convenient carrier for domestic and international trips. The intensive competition of low cost players resulted in ticket prices continued to offer reasonable value and can be access by a larger group of middle-income consumers. Over the short-term period, air transportation should be the most dynamic in terms of new routes introducing in particular within AEC destinations. The long-term period is projected to see rail development become more practical not just within Thailand, but by connecting to other neighbouring countries to Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia and toward China and Vietnam.