The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been coordinating assistance for tourists affected by the flood situation in southern Thailand, while preparing to hold discussions with relevant agencies to help affected entrepreneurs.

Several southern provinces are now facing a flood crisis and urgent action has been taken to ease the situation. Hat Yai District in Songkhla Province, a major tourist destination, is the worst-hit area because of heavy rainfall.

The Government has established the Center for Water Management in Natural Disaster Situations in response to the current flood situation. Its purpose is to provide assistance to flood-affected victims in an inclusive, timely, and efficient manner. Many areas in Songkhla have also been declared disaster zones.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said that she had instructed all units under the supervision of TAT to closely monitor the situation, provide updates regarding the current flooding, and continue to communicate with tourists in the affected areas.

TAT has also coordinated assistance to facilitate travel with relevant agencies, such as the State Railway of Thailand, airports, and airlines. In the next step, when the situation improves, it will accelerate efforts to restore confidence among tourists and promote tourism in the affected areas.

Later this year and early next year, several activities and events to boost tourism marketing have been planned, such as the Hat Yai Countdown and Chinese New Year Festival. TAT will propose measures to stimulate local tourism and offer financial support for local entrepreneurs.

Despite the flood situation, airports in the South are open and operating as usual, such as those in Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Trang, and Narathiwat.

For travel information or assistance, tourists may contact the TAT Contact Center at 1672. The center is available 24/7 to assist tourists with travel inquiries in both Thai and English.