Southeast Asia's second-largest economy suffers $15M tourism loss due to floods

Tourism Minister Sermsak Pongpanit said the northern regions such as Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, and Phrae have been particularly affected, with severe flooding and mudslides over the past few weeks, The Nation reported.

Some tourist attractions in these flood-hit areas have been forced to close to ensure the safety of visitors.

The severe weather conditions have resulted in a reduction of 57,092 visitors, leading to an estimated decline in tourism spending of around 200 million baht, Pongpanit added.

Since Aug. 16, flash floods and landslides across Thailand have claimed 22 lives and left 19 others injured, according to Reuters. Among the victims were a Russian couple who lost their lives in a mudslide on the southern island of Phuket.

In response to the crisis, Thai authorities have established a "war room" to assist tourists and tourism operators impacted by the floods in the north and the landslide in Phuket.

Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, has welcomed 21.7 million foreign visitors so far this year, with Chinese and Malaysian tourists comprising the largest groups.