Chinese Tourist Numbers Fall in Phuket After Boat Accident
Xu Wei
DATE:  Jul 13 2018
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
Chinese Tourist Numbers Fall in Phuket After Boat Accident Chinese Tourist Numbers Fall in Phuket After Boat Accident

(Yicai Global) July 13 -- The number of Chinese tourists visiting the popular Thailand beach holiday destination of Phuket has fallen in the aftermath of a boat accident earlier this month, which resulted in 46 casualties.

Chinese tourist numbers are falling following the disaster, Global Times reported Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong as saying, with visitors from the country canceling 10 percent of rooms booked for July 13 and later.

Chinese tourists make great contributions to Thai tourism sector, Plodthong said, adding that most of the 10 million Chinese visitors to the country each year include Phuket in their plans.

Two tourist boats overturned in a heavy story on July 5 and sank close to Phuket. Some 42 Chinese citizens died in the accident, China's Embassy in Thailand confirmed, while 15 are still missing.

Authorities are carrying out DNA testing on 46 bodies recovered in an effort to identify them, he added.

Editor: William Clegg

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Keywords:   THAILAND,Phuket,TOURISM