The President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), Mr. Thienprasith Chaipattaranan, has reported that flooding across eight provinces in southern Thailand—Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat—has caused short-term disruptions to tourism. Although floodwaters have primarily affected areas outside major economic zones, such as Hat Yai, hotel bookings, particularly by Malaysian tourists, have been canceled or postponed. The hotel sector anticipates a brief recovery period of approximately one week, contingent on floodwaters receding.
The floods have created uncertainty among tourists, particularly Malaysians who commonly drive into Thailand via border crossings. Despite this, Mr. Thienprasith is optimistic about a swift recovery once conditions normalize, given the convenience of cross-border travel.
Comparing the southern floods with northern Thailand’s floods earlier this year, Mr. Thienprasith noted that the southern damage might be less severe as there is likely less sediment to clean up. However, the timing during the peak tourism season intensifies the economic impact, especially given the missed opportunities to attract international visitors.
To mitigate long-term effects, Mr. Thienprasith urged the government to implement measures to stimulate tourism. He proposed initiatives such as subsidizing travel costs, similar to previous schemes that boosted spending in northern Thailand, and promoting festivals like the upcoming "Thailand Winter Festival 2024." Activities such as Loy Krathong, New Year celebrations, food fairs, and music events could help reinvigorate the tourism sector and distribute economic benefits throughout the country.