Bomb attack impacts Thailand's economy
炸彈襲擊影響泰國經濟

The bomb attack in Thailand's capital Bangkok has taken a toll on the country. Thailand defense minister says the perpetrators intended to destroy the economy and tourism.

The Thai baht fell today to its weakest level in more than six years. Thailand's stock market slumped as much as 2.8 percent in opening deals. That's their steepest decline this year, before paring some losses later in the session. The attack left a scar on Bangkok residents and tourists.

"I think this will effect our economy badly. It also badly effects people's minds -- both locals and tourists," said Vichien Roichakkul, a Bangkok resident.

"Being a first time tourist it is, I'm not sure I would have come if this happened before I book my ticket, especially since, but now that I'm here there is no reason for me to not go on living even though it's something that you just have to deal with," said Grant Wieczorek, tourist from US.

Tourism is one of the few bright spots in an economy that continues to underperform more than a year after the military seized power in May 2014. It accounts for about 10 percent of the economy, and the government had expected a record number of visitors this year.

Banking group Morgan Stanley said big-spending Chinese tourists -- whose numbers have soared in recent years -- are particularly likely to be put off by the unrest.

Last year around 4.6 million Chinese nationals visited the kingdom, with the average tourist spending 155 US dollars per day, more than the average European visitor.