Bangkok (VNA)🔜 – Thailand’s tourism operators have called for a long-term plan to manage floods and storms to prevent possible damage to tourism and the economy, following the floods in northern provinces and a deadly landslide in Phuket.

Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, President of the Phuket Tourism Association, said the landslide and heavy rains had killed 13 people, including at least two Russian tourists, shocking tourism operators in Phuket. He said this tragedy should prompt the government to quickly implement a long-term infrastructure plan for Phuket. Pariyakon Phungmalai, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Chiang Rai, said although the water level in some areas has started to decrease, the incident had impacted the overall tourism industry in the province. As Chiang Rai is famous for its nature and cultural heritage, many of its attractions such as farms, temples, parks and homestays are located in various areas scattered outside the city so they will be isolated when serious floods occur. Pariyakon said the government should tackle this issue by redeveloping the whole water management system for the region. Kalyakamon Soongswang, who sits on the committee of the Tourism Council of Nan, said many hotels had to cancel or postpone bookings as transportation in the city had been disrupted. She also urged the government to prioritise initiating a water management project in the coming time. Thai Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit on August 26 announced the establishment of a war room to assist tourists and tourism operators affected by the floods in the North and the landslide in Phuket./.