Three Northern provinces said ready again for tourists after floods

The Tourism and Sports Ministry said on Friday that the three provinces of Chiang Rai, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok, which had been hit by flooding this month, are now 100% ready to welcome tourists.

During a meeting of the ministry's committee on the flood situation, Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said a survey has confirmed that tourist attractions and entrepreneurs in these provinces are fully ready for visitors to return.

He added that the ministry will continue monitoring the flood situation in other provinces and periodically evaluate their level of readiness to welcome tourists. Officials will also evaluate damage to tourist attractions and businesses so the ministry can plan remedial measures accordingly.

Sermsak said he has tasked the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to draw up a short-term plan to rehabilitate and stimulate the tourism industry in flood-hit provinces and present the plan to a meeting next week.

The minister said his team visited Nan, another province affected by flooding, on Thursday to participate in events held at several public venues to clean up the area after the water level subsided.

Sermsak said that during the visit officials also gathered feedback from tourism entrepreneurs in Nan regarding measures to help them get back on their feet and to revive tourists’ confidence in visiting provinces in the North.

“The ministry is working on a new round of campaigns to promote domestic tourism, offering discounts on accommodations and restaurants in affected provinces,” he said. “We have also urged airlines to increase flights to prevent monopolising and raising prices.

"We must do everything possible to restore the tourism industry and build confidence among Thai and international tourists as quickly as possible," Sermsak concluded.