Tourist sector in Phuket reeling from lack of Chinese tourists

15 Sept 06:30 Key points summarised by AI

Phuket's tourism sector faces severe decline due to the COVID-19 outbreak and China's travel ban, causing a sharp drop in tourist arrivals, particularly from China.
Local businesses like the Phuket Wang Tahfu Chinese restaurant and Afro cabaret show are struggling with plummeting customer numbers, leading to reduced operations, staff salary cuts, and desperate measures to generate revenue.
The crisis extends beyond Chinese tourists, with arrivals from other countries significantly decreasing due to coronavirus fears, resulting in a 70-80% reduction in direct flights to Phuket and a daily loss of 5,000-6,000 tourists.

Six injured after car smashes into On Nut shopping mall

Yesterday 22:44 Key points summarised by AI

A 67-year-old woman drove her car through the glass frontage of a Bangkok shopping mall, injuring six people, including a six-year-old girl.
The driver claimed she accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake after being startled, causing the vehicle to surge forward.
She apologized to the victims, promising insurance coverage and additional financial aid, while police continue to gather statements before filing charges.