Tour guides who have been left without jobs amid plunging tourism due to the coronavirus have been employed making face masks in Thailand.

Tens of thousands of people have lost their work after coronavirus decimated tourism, closing bars, restaurants, shopping malls and cancelling most flights to the country.

However, the company, Thai Silk Village in Chiang Mai province,  has started an initiative to employ some of those affected and produce much-needed face masks that may help to protect against the virus.

Footage from this morning (March 22nd) shows locals using sewing machines to produce the colourful silk face masks.

The masks are made from two types of cloth - the colourful Muslin silk on outside while soft cotton is on the inside.

Former tour guide Penkhae Khumsa said she did not want to complain about losing her job and instead wanted to now use her time productively.

She said: "The spreading of coronavirus has caused many tour guides to lose their jobs, including me. 

"I was devastated by this critical situation but whining about it will not make me feel better so I decided to do this, which helps others, too.''

Tour guides who have been left without jobs amid plunging tourism due to the coronavirus have been employed making face masks in Thailand.

Tens of thousands of people have lost their work after covid-19 decimated tourism, closing bars, restaurants, shopping malls and cancelling most flights to the country.

However, the company, Thai Silk Village in Chiang Mai province,  has started an initiative to employ some of those affected and produce much-needed face masks that help to protect against the pandemic.

Footage from this morning (March 22) shows locals using sewing machines to produce the colourful silk face masks.

The masks are made from two types of cloth - the colourful Muslin silk on outside while soft cotton is on the inside.

Former tour guide Penkhae Khumsa said he has did not want to complain about losing his job and instead wanted to now use her time productively.

She said: "The spreading of coronavirus has caused many tour guides to lose their jobs, including me. 

"I was devastated by this critical situation but whining about it will not make me feel better so I decided to do this, which helps others, too.''

The deputy managing director Siapin Wanichmonkol said the company wanted to help the people in need by supplying the protective masks.

She said: "The campaign has received more interest than I had expected. It's a good thing that many people have helped.

"We originally planned to produce 1,000 face masks for the poor and handicapped but will keep going and also make hand santiser, too.''