Airports of Thailand executives have called an urgent meeting following reports that Singapore Airlines will cancel 19 flights to Bangkok from mid-January to late February due to the political turmoil in the capital.
Suvarnabhumi airport general manager Rawewan Netrakavesna said airport executives would meet on Sunday to discuss the impact of the anti-government protests, which will be escalated following the People's Democratic Reform Committee's "Bangkok Shutdown", led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, on Jan 13.
Ms Rawewan said airport executives would then meet representatives of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and airline operators tomorrow to assess the situation and prepare necessary measures to deal with unexpected incidents and impacts from the demonstrations.
The airport chief said she could not confirm the report that Singapore Airlines will cancel flights.
"At this point in time, no airlines have informed the airport about any flight cancellations," she said. Singapore's Straits Times newspaper said on Saturday that the national carrier would cancel 19 flights to Bangkok from Jan 14 to Feb 25.
The airline will put affected passengers on other flights or offer refunds if they cancel their trips, airline spokesman Nicholas Ionides was quoted by the paper as saying.
Singapore Airlines normally has five daily flights to Bangkok.
The unrest has also been affecting travellers from Singapore who decided to switch their destinations from Bangkok to other destinations in Thailand, including Phuket, the Straits Times said, citing travel agents.
The Association of Domestic Travel expressed concerns over the political situation.
Association president Yuthachai Sunthornrattanavech said the anti-government protests have affected tourism operators' plans.
"About 100,000 tourists who plan to travel to Thailand in January are bearing the brunt of the protests," he said.
In its assessment of the country's tourism in 2013-14, the Tourism Council of Thailand said the number of visitors from China and Russia _ Thailand's two biggest markets _ has dropped by 25-30%, mainly in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Cha-am, the Thai News Agency reported.
More than 50 countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens, suggesting they not go near demonstration sites.
The Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce have voiced concern over the economic impact of the protests, saying the protests should be limited to specific areas.