BANGKOK, July 20 (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank chief said on Monday it would take several years for foreign tourist numbers to return to the 40 million levels with the coronavirus pandemic hitting a lucrative industry that provides a lot of jobs.
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) expects only 8 million foreign visitors this year, down 80% from last year's record 39.8 million.
Bad loans in the country will rise but new steps should prevent them from surging, Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob told a seminar.
(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring Editing by Ed Davies)
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