BANGKOK, THAILAND – Flight schedules were thrown into disarray by unrest in the Middle East, and Thailand said it had provided direct assistance to more than 4,500 foreign tourists over the past two weeks.
Help for thousands in just two weeks
Between 28 February and 10 March, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that a total of 4,525 foreign visitors received support after the situation in the Middle East disrupted their travel plans.
Officials said the priority was to keep people in the country able to act while they adjusted flights, extended accommodation or arranged essential services.
Airports as first point of contact
Tourist Assistance Centers at five major airports – Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Krabi – handled 2,833 cases during this period.
According to authorities, travelers at transit hubs often faced sudden problems when connections were cancelled or when entry and transit rules changed, making a strong presence at terminals crucial.
Hotline 1672 and provincial offices step in
Through the 1672 hotline, the Tourism Authority of Thailand processed 918 requests, according to the ministry.
In parallel, tourism and sports offices in 32 provinces assisted a further 774 tourists, including those who were not stranded at major airports but were already travelling within the country.
Pressure remains high – 519 cases in a single day
On 10 March alone, 519 tourists were supported, a figure that authorities said underlined the continuing demand for assistance.
In response, additional staff were deployed to the airport assistance centers to provide information around the clock and guide travelers to appropriate contact points.
Hotel discounts and verified information
To ease the impact of lengthened stays, the ministry said it was coordinating discounted accommodation with 74 hotels in nine provinces.
At the same time, verified information was being distributed to cut down on rumours and mistaken bookings, which tend to fuel extra uncertainty during crises.
Working with embassies, immigration and airlines
In individual cases, officials worked closely with embassies, immigration authorities and airlines to clarify solutions as quickly as possible.
The ministry described the measures as a coordinated effort between state agencies and private partners to ensure visitors were not left on their own with organisational problems during their stay.