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MERS not affecting Thai economy: official

Xinhua, June 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has not yet affected the Thai economy, judging from the number of recent tourist arrivals, a government official said Tuesday.

From last Thursday, when the country's first confirmed MERS case was disclosed, to Sunday, tourist arrivals through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport rose 57.8 percent from the same period last year, Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) director-general Krisda Chinavicharana was quoted by the Nation newspaper as saying.

Moreover, travel companies have reported no cancellation, he added.

Hotels, restaurants, airlines and shopping malls will be the first to feel the impact, if any, of the virus, Krisda, adding the FPO will closely monitor the development.

In a related development, Thailand's first and so far only confirmed MERS patient, a 75-year-old man from Oman, continues to recover, Public Health Minister Rajata Rajatanavin said Tuesday.

The patient will be out of danger if he tests negative over the next several days, according to Rajata. Endi