Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced on Friday that the provinces of Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, and Phitsanulok, which recently experienced severe flooding, have fully recovered and are prepared to welcome tourists once again. Despite the challenges posed by the flooding earlier this month, local authorities and communities have worked tirelessly to restore the affected areas. The ministry is confident that these regions are now safe and ready for travelers to explore.
In a meeting held by the ministry’s flood situation committee, Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich provided an update on the current state of these provinces. According to Minister Sermsak, comprehensive surveys were conducted to assess the impact of the flooding on tourist attractions and local businesses. The results of these surveys have been encouraging, revealing that both natural and cultural sites, as well as hospitality services, have been adequately prepared to accommodate tourists.
The swift response and recovery efforts have been instrumental in ensuring that tourism in these areas can quickly return to normal. The local tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with entrepreneurs and business owners working tirelessly to repair any damage and resume their operations. This collaborative effort between the government, local businesses, and communities has been key in restoring the infrastructure and attractions that make Chiang Rai, Sukhothai, and Phitsanulok popular tourist destinations.
From ancient temples to scenic landscapes, all major attractions have been inspected and confirmed to be ready for visitors. As the provinces open their doors to travelers once again, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports has reassured potential visitors of their safety. The ministry emphasizes that not only are the tourist sites fully operational, but they are also implementing additional measures to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests.
This quick recovery underscores the resilience and dedication of both the local communities and the government to maintaining these provinces as prime tourist destinations in Thailand. The Tourism and Sports Ministry will continue to keep a close watch on the flood situation in other provinces, regularly assessing their readiness to receive tourists. This proactive approach includes evaluating any damage sustained by tourist attractions and businesses, allowing the ministry to develop and implement appropriate recovery strategies. By closely monitoring the situation, the ministry aims to ensure that all regions are prepared to offer safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors.
Tourism and Sports Minister Sermsak Pongpanich has instructed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to create a short-term plan focused on rehabilitating and boosting the tourism industry in areas affected by flooding. This plan, which will be presented at an upcoming meeting next week, will outline specific initiatives to support the recovery of the tourism sector. The aim is to bring back visitors and help local businesses regain their momentum as quickly as possible.
In addition to these measures, the minister and his team have been actively engaging with communities in flood-affected regions. For instance, they visited Nan, a province also impacted by flooding, on Thursday to participate in community-led efforts to clean up public areas after the water receded. These events highlight the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with local residents to restore normalcy and ensure that tourist destinations are safe, clean, and ready to welcome visitors again.
During the visit, officials took the opportunity to gather insights and feedback from tourism business owners in Nan. The focus was on understanding the specific challenges they face in recovering from the flooding and identifying effective measures to support their efforts to bounce back. The discussions aimed to restore tourists’ confidence in traveling to northern provinces, ensuring that these destinations remain attractive and welcoming despite recent adversities.
