Floods have swamped Thailand over the last two months that has greatly affected its tourism industry as it forced the temporary closure of Don Muang airport, the capital’s second biggest aviation hub.
The airport will remain closed until at least November 1st as flood water covers the tarmac. The excess waters make it difficult for passengers and employees to access its terminals.
However, the city’s main airport Suvarnabhumi is still operational where air travel into Bangkok is still currently possible.
The Thai government had set up its flood crisis headquarters at the airport, and will now have to relocate its operations to a less flood prone location.
Some 4000 refugees from flood damaged regions have been taking shelter at the airport, and will now have to be moved.
The continuing crisis has led to growing concerns that the floods will have a severe impact on the country’s tourist industry.
Tourism accounts for about 15 per cent of employment in Thailand, and around six per cent of the country’s GDP.
Although central parts of Bangkok are still unaffected, the surrounding areas have been struck by the flood with almost 10 million people have been displaced, and 370 killed in the unusually heavy rains.
Thailand’s main tourist destinations that includes the coastal hotspots of Phuket, Pattaya and Samui are so far unaffected by the calamity, but northern and central provinces of the country have been badly hit.
