H1N1 spread not affect national tourism

BANGKOK, 14 July 2009 (NNT) – Tourism and Sports Minister, Chumpol Silpa-archa, assured that the influenza A (H1N1) outbreak had no impact on national tourism, indicating that the economy would be more affected by political issues.

Mr. Chumpol stated that the latest number of foreign tourists traveling into the nation was at 26,000, which was an increase from the same period last year. Therefore, he confirmed that the new virus outbreak situation did not affect national tourism.

However, the minister stated that he did not want political problems to exacerbate the economic crisis after it was worsened by the airport closure and the cancellation of the ASEAN Summits in Pattaya.

Mr. Chumpol also clarified that the Chinese government did not forbid Thai citizens from entering the country for fear of the A (H1N1) infection as rumored, adding that the issue had already been discussed with the World Health Organization (WHO).