Thailand is losing approximately 3 billion baht in tourism revenue each month due to ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, said Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong.
The losses stem mainly from the cancellation of more than 5,000 hotel bookings by foreign tourists concerned over safety. The impact is most severe in seven Thai provinces along the Cambodian border.
In Ubon Ratchathani, several hotels temporarily closed until August 4, with all group tours cancelled. However, about 70% of rooms are now occupied by donors and media personnel.
In Si Sa Ket, the Chong Sangam crossing remains restricted. Hotel group bookings have been fully cancelled, and half the rooms are used by donors and media.
Surin province saw 80% of hotel bookings cancelled. Many hotels offer free or discounted rooms to evacuees. The Enduro Race has been postponed, and local tourism services suffer.
In Buri Ram, tourist bookings dropped by 70%, hotels are working with authorities to accommodate displaced persons, and all events at the Chang International Circuit have been postponed.
Meanwhile, provinces like Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, and Trat are also experiencing widespread hotel booking cancellations and tourism slumps, especially on popular islands like Koh Chang and Koh Kood.
