Thailand: Key destinations not impacted by floods
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Major events going ahead as scheduled include:
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Over the past several weeks, seasonal rains that are heavier than usual have resulted in widespread flooding in Thailand impacting international tourism flow into the country. However, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has asserted that while the flooding is having some impact on tourism, most key tourist destinations and attractions throughout Thailand have not been affected by the floods and almost all remain open.
"The floods are mainly affecting the provinces in central Thailand and a few provinces in the north and northeast. Provinces in the south of Thailand have not been affected by the floods. Ayutthaya has been the only tourist destination widely affected by the floods, while other provinces where tourists generally go have been slightly impacted," TAT said in a statement.
Major tourist destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Pattaya, Ko Chang, Rayong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ko Samui, and all provinces in southern Thailand are experiencing normal weather conditions, it said.
All airports in Thailand, including Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, have not been affected by the floods and are operating as per usual. Suvarnabhumi Airport has considerable flood protection measures in place and officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Tourist destinations in the north, such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, are best accessed by air as some roads and railways in the central provinces are closed due to the floods. Provinces in southern and eastern Thailand remain fully accessible by road and train.
Train services from Bangkok to northern destinations are suspended due to the tracks being flooded. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is offering full refunds on tickets for travellers who want to cancel their trips to destinations where train service is suspended. Train services to other parts of Thailand are available as per normal. The National Disaster Warning Centre has issued a warning for some provinces in the south of the possibility of flash flooding due to heavy rains. This includes Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla.
AABC T&T Bureau
