Many other tourist operators are also having to shut down in the wake of the virus outbreak.
“If we set sail at this rate, we will be running at a loss. It is just not worth it,” said Ms Suthasinee Srimala, an executive in charge of selling All Star tickets. More than two-thirds, or 70 per cent, of 300 tickets are bought each day by Chinese tourists. Around 11 million Chinese visited Thailand last year, making up a sizable proportion of the 40 million tourist in total. Almost a million visitors from China came to Thailand in January alone.
“I will need to talk to the mall management soon to see if they can reduce the rent next month. If not, I might really have to close the shop. Maybe I will just sell surgical masks instead,” added the 32-year-old, who typically earns 10,000 baht a day.