Bangkok's Loy Krathong a washout
Bangkok hotels are continuing to suffer from the flooding as no bookings are coming in - including for the Loy Krathong Festival today.
Supawan Tanomkieatipume, chairman for marketing at the Thai Hotels Association, said yesterday cancellations are pouring in for rooms, weddings and events as well as Loy Krathong.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has asked people not to float krathongs due to the high tides in the Chao Phraya River and canals.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has said that because of the flooding, it would suspend Loy Krathong festivities in four provinces – Bangkok, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya and Ubon Ratchathani – while going ahead with them in the other provinces as planned.
Supawan said 90 per cent of foreign tourists have already left Bangkok while local people are not in any mood to celebrate.
Only a few tourists remain in Bangkok and they are not focusing on the Loy Krathong Festival.
"Overall business at hotels in Bangkok has dropped by 50 per cent this month compared to the same time last year. Food and beverage has also plunged more than 90 per cent due to no events coming in," she said.
The Thai Hotels Association is planning a series of measures to restore tourism in Bangkok and the Central region.
It will ask the government for financial assistance and tax breaks for operators after the flooding.
