Coronavirus: Thailand, Japan or Singapore, which Asian tourist destination will take the biggest hit?

In almost 30 years of providing travel services for Chinese tourists, Bangkok tour operator Chanapan Kaewklachaiyawut had never seen anything like this week’s mass cancellation of bookings.

“It is sudden and unexpected,” he said, “but it cannot be helped.”

As China’s restrictions on group travel take effect, Chanapan will spend the next few days heading to the likes of Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya – all cities popular with Chinese travellers – in a bid to salvage the situation.

“[I will try to handle] the deposits we placed. We are not sure if they can be refunded. There’s also daily expenditures and employees’ salary [to consider],” he said.