Flashflood cause heavy damages to resorts in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district

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Flashflood cause heavy damages to resorts in Mae Hong Son’s Pai district

 

PAI:-- More than half of resorts in Pai district of Mae Hong Son were damaged by flashflood and local authorities fear it could affect tourism of this popular hill destination during the upcoming high season in winter.

 

The impact on tourism was assessed by the director of the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Mr Somsak Sapakosolkul after visiting several villages in Tambon Maehee of Pai district yesterday on order of the minister and permanent secretary to deliver aids to villagers suffered from flashflood on August 13, and to assess damages from the flashflood.

 

From the inspection of the villages in Pai, he said more than half of over a hundred resorts and guest houses were damaged by flashfloods, mostly broken fences, homes, electrical appliances, beddings, etc.

 

He said owners of these resorts, guesthouses, mostly local people, would need lot of money to repair all back to normal to welcome tourists again.

One resort owner said the flashflood this year was far worst than flashflood in 2005, she said.

 

Her investment in her Pai Park resort during the past 10 years had all gone with the flashflood last week, no matter they be electric fans, beddings, blankets, mosquito nets, chairs, gardens, fence,

 

Local authorities said flashfloods which swept through several villages from Maehee to Wiang Nua in Pai left behind debris, muds, and sands at most resorts.

 

Farmlands were also coveted by muds

 

It could take weeks or months to restore everything back to normal before they could reopen to welcome tourists again in the upcoming high season which is a few months ahead.

 

For tourists who have booked homes and rooms at resorts here, some a year in advance, owners might have  to refund them in case they are not yet ready to reopen, local authorities said.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/flashflood-cause-heavy-damages-resorts-mae-hong-sons-pai-district/

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-08-20