from the bangkok post

[djaust]

Island resort turns back on US visitors in protest

Americans will be told to go elsewhere


A famous resort on Koh Samui is turning away American tourists in protest against US attacks on Iraq.

Wirat Pongchababnapa, owner of Pavilion Resort Koh Samui on Lamai beach, said the resort would not welcome American tourists.

The protest was also against President George W Bush ``who liked violence and wanted to have enemies''.

``We think the United States is immoral and shows no respect for the UN resolution. He has started a war for no reason.

``I am just a businessman who can do nothing. But I want to be the first person to dare protest against the war. ``If American tourists come to us, we will tell them politely that we cannot welcome them and we will give them a ride to other places,'' Mr Wirat said.

He said it would be horrible to have to see the killing of Iraqi civilians, although he believed the US would defeat Iraq within five days once the fighting started.

Panu Woramitr, head of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's tourism coordinating centre on Koh Samui, said the war was unlikely to affect tourism on the island, as 70% of tourists there were from Europe and it was also low season.

No hotel cancellations had been reported, and occupancy rates were stable at 60-70%.

Operators on Koh Samui were also trying to attract more tourists from Malaysia and Singapore,'' Mr Panu said.

He is in the CIA....what a dummy

[MikeNYC]

HOW Long will it take Wirat to get to the poor House.....
Maybe the French will support his hotel

Oh by the way! The french attacked a McDonalds... Wow .. I guess that will help get your 26 billion in oil contracts back u clowns.....
I like American Cheese better>>>>

[Schmeen]

I suggest Wirat's comments are nothing more than a publicity stunt. He has a 3% occupancy rate from the US. His business (and very successful it is comes from Germany France and Scandinavia)...now isn't that a surprise!!!

Got his name in the papers didn't it??