Hotel Damages Estimated At 12 Billion Baht

Hotel damages in tsunami-hit areas estimated at 12 billion baht

BANGKOK: -- A preliminary estimate of damages to hotel in six tsunami-stricken provinces in the South was 12 billion baht, Tourism and Sport Minister Sonthaya Khunploem said today.

Out of the 48,000 rooms in the entire area, Mr. Sonthaya said around 12,000 rooms were damaged at various degrees.

''Some hotels were slightly affected but some were totally destroyed especially those in Khao Lak of Phang-nga and Krabi's Phi Phi Island which were the worst-hit areas,'' said the minister.

''We have preliminarily estimated the damage at 12 billion baht but we are compiling damages on restaurants and other tourism-related services. We should have a clearer figure tomorrow," said Mr. Sonthaya.

He said the ministry would request a special fund to rehabilitate southern tourism during next Tuesday's cabinet meeting in the northern province of Chiang Rai.

In addition to the 12 billion baht to repair and rebuild hotel rooms, he said more budget would be needed for a new marketing plan on tourism. He said he would have an exact figure to be tabled for cabinet next week.

During SARS and bird flu outbreaks, the ministry spent between 800 and 1,000 million baht in its tourism rehabilitation scheme, said the minister.

--TNA 2005-01-05