BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s tourism authorities established a new crisis monitoring centre in response to rising tensions in the Middle East, aiming to track travel disruptions and coordinate emergency support for stranded visitors.
New crisis centre in Bangkok
The newly opened Tourism Crisis Monitoring Centre (TCMC) in Bangkok was set up as a central hub to track developments and pool information related to tourism impacts from the Middle East crisis. From this operations room, officials planned to analyse developments domestically and abroad, assess likely effects, and coordinate assistance for tourists hit by flight cancellations.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the centre would focus on monitoring travel-related consequences and stabilising confidence in the sector. It also aimed to support close cooperation with airports, airlines and security agencies to help travellers who could not continue their journeys.
Situation analysis and response scenarios
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said several countries in the Middle East had closed their airspace, prompting the agency’s overseas offices to report and evaluate the situation continuously. The TCMC now acted as the key tool to consolidate those reports and steer two prepared scenarios for short- and medium-term action.
These scenarios covered communication management, guest care and later market recovery measures. They were designed to help the agency adjust quickly as the situation evolved and to guide responses for both immediate disruptions and the expected rebound.
Flight cancellations and affected markets
Initial assessments indicated that the impact was concentrated on the inbound market from the Middle East, with a total of 59 flight cancellations by international carriers reported so far at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi airports. Affected services included routes operated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, flydubai, El Al, Arkia Israeli and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
At the same time, the TAT pointed out that the disruptions coincided with Ramadan, which was typically a period of lower travel activity from the region. This seasonal pattern was expected to moderate the immediate impact on overall arrival numbers.
Immediate assistance at airports and on the ground
To provide direct support to passengers, the TAT reported close cooperation with airports, airlines and other agencies, especially at Bangkok’s main international gateway, Suvarnabhumi Airport. Additional staff were deployed, help desks were set up, drinking water was distributed and temporary waiting areas were opened for affected travellers.
Airlines kept hotel accommodation on stand-by for most disrupted passengers so that only a small number had to remain in the terminal. The measures were intended to reduce congestion at key facilities and ensure basic comfort while travellers waited for alternative connections.
Domestic support and market balancing
The governor instructed domestic market teams to work with authorities nationwide to assist tourists who might become stranded due to cancellations. This included coordination with provincial offices and local partners to provide on-the-ground help where needed.
In parallel, preparations were under way to stimulate domestic travel demand and other source markets in order to partially offset expected losses from the affected regions. The aim was to restore confidence swiftly once the situation calmed and to maintain momentum in Thailand’s wider tourism recovery.
Role of the Tourism Ministry
Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, referred to rising tensions between Israel and Iran, which particularly affected transit flights over the region. She underlined that the ministry was closely tracking developments and remained in constant contact with relevant agencies.
She said the ministry had brought all key bodies into the planning process to be prepared for possible consequences, even though the Middle East situation had not yet had a direct impact on tourism inside Thailand. The emphasis was on readiness should conditions deteriorate.
Instructions on care and information
Natthriya issued detailed instructions to subordinate agencies, including a directive for tight cooperation with the Tourist Police Bureau and airport operator Airports of Thailand (AOT). The goal was to ensure waiting areas, facilities and rebookings for stranded guests met international standards.
The Department of Tourism, TAT and the Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC) were tasked with organising operational support, deploying staff at airports and major attractions, and monitoring flight movements in real time. This was intended to provide holidaymakers with timely and accurate information and reduce the risk of additional strandings.
Packages for stranded visitors and hotlines
For travellers unable to depart because of the crisis, or those choosing Thailand as a place of refuge, the TAT prepared special stay packages. These offers were meant to make extended or unexpected stays more manageable for affected visitors.
Authorities also ordered the creation of a 24-hour emergency phone line. Assistance was available through the Tourist Police (1155), the TAT hotline (1672) and the TAC office at Suvarnabhumi Airport (02 134 4077), providing multiple contact points for help.
Safety as top priority
Natthriya stressed that visitor safety remained the highest priority and required systematic preparedness based on ongoing risk assessments and tightly coordinated procedures across all agencies. She said the government’s approach focused on practical measures rather than symbolic gestures.
“We are monitoring the situation day by day, carrying out in-depth risk assessments and strengthening support measures in a strict, careful and practical way, so that uncertainty does not undermine guests’ confidence and the country remains a safe place that takes responsible care of them.”
said Natthriya Thaweevong, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.