Bangkok, June 18 -- The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict is expected to affect five of Thailand's tourism markets, which might plunge by 50%, while visits from the Middle East to Phuket have already started to decline due to airspace closures, said Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
The conflict in the Middle East has already had a wide impact on air travel in that region, she stated, saying that several airlines that operate flights to Thailand - among them Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air and SalamAir - had adjusted their routes to avoid conflict zones and airspace closures by some countries. So far, Tehran-based Mahan Air is the only carrier that has temporarily cancell...