CCTV9英语新闻：泰国的旅游业在动荡中挣扎

 Thailand is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Last year, more than 26 million people visited the country. But months of unrest and a military takeover may finally be taking a toll 1 on the country’s tourism industry.

 
Bangkok’s Khao San Road is a backpacker’s paradise 2; cheap hotels, cheap shopping, cheap food. And for tuktuk drivers like Khanton Ngamboonreung, it’s a thriving source of livelihood 3. But lately, he says business has been slow.
 
"Normally, I make about a hundred dollars a day, now I can’t even make 30," he said.
 
That’s because months of unrest and a military takeover just less than a week ago has kept potential tourists from coming to Thailand. Several countries, including the United States and Australia, have issued travel warnings.
 
For the first four months of the year, tourist arrivals dropped to 8.6 million from 9.1 million in the same period last year, according to the country’s Ministry 4 of Tourism.
 
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, like the Grand Palace, are almost empty at certain times of the day.
 
And past 10 in the evening, this is what most of Bangkok looks like: it’s quiet and empty where there used to be shops, restaurants, bars and clubs open till very late at night. The curfew, which lasts till 5 in the morning, has kept tourists from experiencing Bangkok’s famous nightlife.
 
Still, Thailand’s business leaders believe a more peaceful and stable environment which they say the new military government can provide will bring tourists back.
 
"From a tourist’s point of view, it’s not about who is running the country. It’s about if it’s peaceful, calm and safe, and that’s the key," said Chai Srivikorn from Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association.
 
Many here don’t share the optimism 5, as anti-coup protesters continue to pour out into the streets.
 




点击收听单词发音  






1
toll

  
 


n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)


参考例句：





The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。












2
paradise

  
 


n.伊甸乐园，天堂


参考例句：





My house had a small backyard,the paradise of children.我那幢房子有一个小后院，那是孩子们玩耍的乐园。
On a hot day a dip in the sea is sheer paradise.热天洗个海水澡是十分令人惬意的事。












3
livelihood

  
 


n.生计，谋生之道


参考例句：





Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。












4
ministry

  
 


n.(政府的)部；牧师


参考例句：





They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。












5
optimism

  
 


n.乐观，乐观主义


参考例句：





Don't pour cold water on their optimism.别给他们的乐观态度泼冷水。
Optimism made him alive through the hard days.乐观主义使他在艰难的岁月里活了下来。