Thailand's tourism seeks ways to minimise flood consequences

August 28, 2024 | 14:58

(0) user say

Thailand’s tourism operators have called for a long-term plan to manage floods and storms to prevent possible damage to tourism and the economy, following the floods in northern provinces and a deadly landslide in Phuket.

Thailand's tourism seeks ways to minimise flood consequences

People wade through flood water in Narathiwat province of Thailand. (Photo: Getty Images/VNA)

Bangkok – Thailand’s tourism operators have called for a long-term plan to manage floods and storms to prevent possible damage to tourism and the economy, following the floods in northern provinces and a deadly landslide in Phuket.

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourism Association, said the landslide and heavy rains had killed 13 people, including at least two Russian tourists, shocking tourism operators in Phuket. He said this tragedy should prompt the government to quickly implement a long-term infrastructure plan for Phuket.

Pariyakon Phungmalai, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Chiang Rai, said although the water level in some areas has started to decrease, the incident had impacted the overall tourism industry in the province.

As Chiang Rai is famous for its nature and cultural heritage, many of its attractions such as farms, temples, parks and homestays are located in various areas scattered outside the city so they will be isolated when serious floods occur.

Pariyakon said the government should tackle this issue by redeveloping the whole water management system for the region.

Kalyakamon Soongswang, who sits on the committee of the Tourism Council of Nan, said many hotels had to cancel or postpone bookings as transportation in the city had been disrupted.

She also urged the government to prioritise initiating a water management project in the coming time.

Thai Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit on August 26 announced the establishment of a war room to assist tourists and tourism operators affected by the floods in the North and the landslide in Phuket.

Floods, landslides kill many in Indonesia, Thailand

At least seven people were killed, two others were injured and some were likely to be missing after flash floods and landslides hit the Indonesian eastern province of Maluku on the morning of August 25, according to the locality’s disaster management and mitigation office.

Death toll in Indonesia’s flash floods rises to 19

Nineteen people were killed, and seven injured in Indonesia’s North Maluku province one August 26 after flash floods and landslides struck the locality a day earlier, authorities said.

22 killed in flash floods, landslides across Thailand

Twenty-two people have been killed and 19 others injured in monsoon-induced flash floods and landslides across Thailand while over 30,900 households in 13 provinces have been affected since August 16, Thai authorities have announced.

By VNA

What the stars mean:

★ Poor ★ ★ Promising ★★★ Good ★★★★ Very good ★★★★★ Exceptional