Jaruporn Sanguanpong, general manager of Nang Yuan Dive Resort on Koh Nang Yuan in Surat Thani province, said the island's tourism had been hit hard, along with other tourist attractions in southern Thailand.

His resort's occupancy rate has fallen to about 60 per cent from its normal level of close to 100 per cent. However, he expects tourists to return once the storm passes.

Other tourist operators on islands in the Gulf of Thailand and in western areas said they were receiving many complaints about inconvenience but few cancellations.

Komkrit Chantaravisoot, managing director of Santhiya Resort and Spa on Koh Pha-ngan, said international tourists were still arriving despite the heavy rain.

"A little problem here is that speedboats have stopped services between the island and the mainland, so we must provide normal boats instead," Komkrit said. The resort has an occupancy rate of 40-50 per cent.

Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor for the domestic market Charubun Pananon expects local tourists would postpone trips to southern Thailand, to avoid the storm. Some waterfalls are temporarily closed because of flooding, while at least one resort has also closed.

Charubun said the TAT was preparing several campaigns to lure tourists to the Andaman Coast during the low season, including a "Beautiful Thailand" campaign and Thailand Travel Mart Plus. Separately, it is also promoting visits to fruit orchards along the Eastern Seaboard.

Thai Hotels Association vice president Prakit Chinamourpong said the heavy rain was not causing much damage to tourism.

"Foreign tourists are keeping their bookings. The association has not yet received any reports of cancellations from its members," he said.

Wallop Bhukkanasut, executive vice president of Thai Airways International's Commercial Department, said the airline was offering special fares on all domestic routes from today to the end of next month, in order to boost local travel during the low season.

It is offering one-way economy fares of Bt1,500 on the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, Bt1,065 for Bangkok to Khon Kaen and Bt1,675 for Bangkok to Krabi and Bangkok to Phuket.

The Meteorological Department has issued heavy rain and flash-flood warnings for northern and western parts of the country. Heavy rain is expected in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Ranong, Phang Nga and Phuket provinces.

Strong winds are expected in the Andaman Sea, and ships have been advised to proceed with caution.

Suchat Sritama

The Nation