Thai PM postpones trip to Australia due to planned mass rally

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has postponed an official trip to Australia due to the mass rally planned for Friday. He says must take care of the situation at home.

The rally has also affected the country's tourism sector, which is the pillar industry of the country.

Although the anti-government protesters insist their demonstration will be nonviolent, many tourists have already cancelled their hotel bookings this weekend. Some have postponed their travels to Thailand altogether. It has been said this will cause a loss of about 300 million US dollars.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva holds a meeting at the Government House in Bangkok March 9, 2010.  REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom