The Association of Domestic Travel estimates that the heavy flooding has led to a 10-per-cent fall in tourism, both in terms of numbers and revenue.

Association president Charoen Wangananont said yesterday that the current bout of flooding had already damaged many major tourist attractions in Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Chiang Rai, as well as Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.

He said the body's estimated 10-per-cent drop had been formulated following the cancellation of many tours over the past month, since the heavy rains started.

The official death toll from the flooding across the country stood at 73 as of Tuesday, according to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, with more deaths having been reported in many provinces.

More than 100 temples in the Central region have been damaged.

In Nakhon Sawan, government authorities and civilians are working to drain water from temples, including one where the Fine Arts Department recently finished a Bt5-million restoration due to its historical importance.

In Suphan Buri, several famous temples - including Wat Khae, Wat Pranon, Wat Praloy - have been submerged as the water level in the Tajeen River continues to rise.

In Sing Buri province, which is battling its most severe floods in years, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department found 57 temples under water. As a result, monks cannot go out to collect alms.

In Angthong province, 60 temples are reported to be flooded, including one which is the site of a priceless 400-year old reclining Buddha image.

Chiang Mai is renovating its landscape to welcome tourists arriving for the Royal Flora Ratchapruek horticultural exposition. Many hotels are already full, and high-season weekend bookings stand at 90 per cent.

Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association president Trongvit ItthiPattanakul said rooms were 90 per cent booked for weekends in November and December.

The city offers 25,000 rooms at hotels, guest-houses, home stays and dormitories, as well as at 22 temples. Apichart Sankary, president of Association of Thai Travel Agents, said the flooding was not affecting inward tourism significantly as it is not yet the high season.

But in Ayutthaya, he added, most tourists visiting the province were Japanese and Chinese, and their numbers had already dropped due to last month's coup.

For tourists who had planned visits to the province, tour operators may adjust their programme to head for alternative destinations such as Phuket and Bangkok.

Apichart also said river cruises in Bangkok had been halted due to the increasingly high level of the Chao Phya.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation