CRI听力：Expert: Anti-Government Protest Costs East Asia Opportunity to Stimulate Economy

A Chinese political analyst says that anti-government protests in Thailand have cost East Asia an opportunity to formulate common measures to stimulate the region's economy.

Ye Hailin, from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, made the comments following the postponement of ASEAN-related summits due to massive anti-government Thai protests.

"It's a victory for anti-government protesters as they've forced the Thai government to postpone the scheduled summits. But the situation has made Thailand and even East Asia pay a heavy price.

You know, the ASEAN-related summits are crucial for East Asian countries to stimulate their collective economies."(www.hXen.com)

The analyst added that Thailand will bear the brunt of the latest turmoil.

"First of all, the turmoil shows the incapability of the Thai government to administer their state. This will harm the image and reputation of the Thai government before East Asian countries and the world at large. Moreover, the economy of Thailand will suffer greatly from the turmoil. Actually, the unstable political situation has delivered a heavy blow to the country's tourism industry over the past two years. I think Thailand will face severe challenges in terms of investment and trade in the future."

It's estimated that Thailand will lose 5.6 billion US dollars in tourist revenue this year.

Anti-government protesters stormed into the venue of ASEAN-related summits in the resort of Pattaya on Saturday.

They are supporters of the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The protesters are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down and dissolve the cabinet.