BANGKOK, Thailand – Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said flooding in several parts of Thailand is unlikely to significantly affect the tourism sector, noting that most of Bangkok has returned to normal travel conditions. He said airports, rail services and major transport routes are operating normally, while the most important task is providing foreign tourists with accurate information so they can continue planning trips to Thailand.
Surasak noted that many of the areas affected by flooding are not major tourism centres or popular destinations. In Bangkok, he said, the routes commonly used by tourists have largely returned to normal. The minister has instructed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to provide updates in major tourist destinations and keep travel agencies informed about the actual situation. Surasak said he remains confident that the flooding will not affect tourism plans or the government’s existing tourism revenue target.
Regarding the Chao Phraya River basin and forecasts for increased rainfall from October 5–10, he said the ministry is coordinating closely with the Royal Irrigation Department. He expects rainfall to be less severe than during the previous period and said water drainage has been improving. Surasak said he expects conditions to gradually improve after the next period of rainfall passes. (TNA)
