Bangkok, August 27, 2024, The Europe Today: In the wake of severe floods in northern Thailand and a deadly landslide in Phuket, regional tourism operators are calling for a comprehensive, long-term plan to manage floods and storms to prevent further damage to tourism and the economy.
Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourist Association, expressed deep concern over the recent landslide and heavy rains that claimed 13 lives, including at least two Russian tourists, in Phuket. The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the local tourism industry, prompting calls for the government to urgently implement long-term infrastructure planning for the region.
Thaneth emphasized the need to reconsider building regulations, specifically the revocation of plans that would allow taller buildings with shorter setback lengths or higher construction from sea level, to mitigate future risks.
In Chiang Rai, where floods have devastated 10 provincial districts, tourism has been severely impacted. Pariyakorn Phungmalai, Vice-President of the Tourism Council of Chiang Rai, noted that despite a slight decrease in water levels in some areas, the overall tourism industry has suffered. She highlighted that this year’s floods, caused by unprecedented heavy rainfall, are the most severe the province has seen in years.
Pariyakorn pointed to deforestation and slash-and-burn agriculture as key factors that have made Chiang Rai more vulnerable to flooding. She urged the government to undertake comprehensive water management redevelopment for the region to better protect its natural and cultural heritage sites, many of which are located outside the city.
In Nan, local authorities and tourism operators have begun extensive cleanup operations following flash floods last week. Kalyakamon Soongswang, a committee member of the Tourism Council of Nan and Managing Director of Wiang Kaew Hotel, reported that many hotels were forced to cancel or postpone bookings due to transportation disruptions. She called on the government to prioritize a water management project to prevent a recurrence of such severe flooding, which the area has not seen since 2011.
Wiwat Tharawiwat, President of the Tourism Council of Sukhothai, reassured that city hotels and historical parks remain safe from the flood surge. However, he noted that some tourists have canceled their trips, even though the most affected areas are in suburban districts.
In response to the widespread impact of these natural disasters, Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit announced on Monday the establishment of a “war room” to assist tourists and tourism operators affected by the floods in the North and the landslide in Phuket. The initiative aims to provide immediate support and coordinate recovery efforts to minimize further disruptions to the tourism industry.
