Thailand’s tourism operators are calling for a long-term strategy to manage storms and floods, in order to safeguard tourism and the economy. (I figure we could have written this first sentence any time over the past 100 years – Ed)
The call comes amid significant flooding across many parts of the country, and a devastating landslide in Phuket, triggered by torrential rainfall, the killed 13 and injured 19.
Last Friday’s landslide in the hillside above Kata claimed the lives of 13 people: 9 Burmese workers, 2 Thai women, and a Russian man and his wife. The president of the Phuket Tourist Association says the incident has shocked those working in the island’s tourism sector.
Thaneth Tantipiriyakij adds that, in the wake of the tragedy, the island’s officials must act to implement long-term infrastructure planning. Thaneth says this must include revoking any previously granted permissions for construction to a greater height from sea level, or taller buildings with a shorter setback length.
Meanwhile in Chiang Rai, Pariyakon Phungmalai from the Tourism Council of Chiang Rai says that while the water is receding in some areas, the flooding across 10 districts is the worst seen in several years. Ms Pariyakon adds that it has had already had a negative impact on tourism in the northern province.
She points the finger at “slash and burn” agriculture and deforestation, saying such practices mean there are no longer enough trees to absorb and slow rainfall and subsequent flooding. As a result, the province is more vulnerable to severe flooding. She says the government must address the issue with a long-term water management plan for the region.
In the northern province of Nan, one of the worst affected in the most recent flooding, Kalyakamon Soongswang from the Tourism Council of Nan says the cleanup operation has begun.
The Bangkok Post reports that many hotels in Nan have reported cancelled or postponed bookings due to flooding disrupting transport in the city. Ms Kalyakamon says the government must introduce a water management plan as a priority or the province risks seeing the worst flooding since 2011.
Meanwhile, the tourism minister, Sermsak Pongpanit, has announced plans for a “war room” to help both tourism operators and tourists affected by the Phuket landslide and the flooding around the country.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
