Thailand still expects 38 million foreign tourists this year despite quake, minister says

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s tourism ministry is maintaining its forecast for foreign tourist arrivals at 38 million this year despite the powerful earthquake, the minister said on Monday.

The impact of the quake is to be limited and short-term, Sorawong Thienthong told reporters, adding more than 1,000 hotel room bookings had been cancelled since the quake centred in Myanmar hit Bangkok on Friday.

(Reporting by Thanadech Staporncharnchai and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Louise Heavens)