Thai Tourism Not Affected by MERS, Says Minister

BANGKOK, June 21 (TNA) - Thailand’s tourism business has not been affected by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) deadly virus while the government projection that 28.8 million foreign tourists visit the kingdom this year would meet the target, said Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul on Sunday. Mrs. Kobkarn’s remarks were made while she accompanied Public Health Minister Dr. Rajata Rajatanavin to Suvarnabhumi International Airport to boost confidence to tourists on the government’s efforts to control the disease after the country’s first MERS patient from the Middle East was found. No three-month advance booking cancellation by foreign tourists has been made so far, said Mrs. Kobkarn. In an effort to boost confidence to tourists, authorities at the airport on Sunday inspected where more Thermoscan machines should be installed there. A total of 37 commercial aircraft from the Middle East and South Korea carry passengers to the Suvarnabhumi International Airport daily. Airline staff have begun to distribute health beware cards which are printed in four languages -- Thai, Arabian, South Korean and English -- to the passengers after the plane landed. Passengers will then have to walk pass the Thermoscan machines and measure body temperatures. So far, the airport has installed four Thermoscan machines and plans to install three more this Friday. Meanwhile, tourists from Malaysia and Singapore visiting Thailand are not worried although they have learned that a Middle East man is now taking treatment from MERS at a state-run hospital, said Surapol Kampalanonwat, chairman of Songkhla Tourism Business Association . Tourism business in Songkhla is still active, especially during the weekend, said Mr. Surapol. However, concerned officials are working hard to prevent the disease from spreading in the country. (TNA)