Thai floods wash away 1.67 million dollar in tourism

Recent floods have cost Thailand USD$1.67 million in tourism revenue, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported. The loss, reported on Sunday following an initial assessment report by the Ministry, equates to over 50 million baht, People’s Daily reported.

This preliminary estimate could rise to 200 million baht (USD$ 6.7 million) next week, after the costs of repairs to infrastructure are factored. The provinces of Nakorn Ratchasima, Lopburi, and Ayutthaya remain severely flooded, forcing local tourists to cancel their bookings. The ministry plans to use the budget of 1 billion baht (USD$33.4 million), left over from rehabilitation funds for entrepreneurs affected by 2008's airport closures, to help tourism operators affected by the recent floods.

There are currently 28 provinces in eastern and northeastern Thailand submerged under floodwaters, after monsoonal downpours and flash floods hit on 10 October.

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