Bangkok: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has initiated a Tourism Crisis Monitoring Center (TCC) to oversee the flooding situation in the southern provinces and coordinate assistance for tourists affected by the crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of TAT, highlighted that several provinces, including Songkhla, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Satun, and Surat Thani, have been significantly impacted by flooding. Hat Yai District in Songkhla Province is the most affected, with numerous Thai and foreign tourists stranded in hotels. In response, TAT has established the TCC at their headquarters, serving as a central hub for supporting and coordinating tourist assistance. The center is tasked with monitoring the affected areas, updating stakeholders, and communicating travel situations to the public, tour operators, and the tourism industry to minimize the impact and foster travel confidence.
The TAT’s immediate measures include urgent assistance for stranded tourists through coordination with embassies, consulates, and tour operators. Collaborations with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and other agencies aim to relocate tourists to shelters until they can safely return home. The TAT has received names of affected tourists and hotels from consulates and is working with local authorities to expedite assistance.
Furthermore, the TAT plans to manage news dissemination by monitoring releases both online and offline and preparing daily fact sheets to ensure accurate understanding of the situation and its impact. Measures to assist operators within and outside the affected areas are also in development, alongside strategies to rejuvenate tourism post-crisis. Once conditions improve, TAT will evaluate tourism impacts and adjust promotional plans to revitalize the affected regions, leveraging festivals and events to restore the local economies.
Tourists seeking updated travel information and assistance can contact the TAT Call Center at 1672 Travel Buddy or the Tourist Police Hotline at 1155 for urgent matters.