Mr Tanit said fisheries, rubber and frozen food producers were all immediately affected as they need electricity for processing machinery and to store their goods.
Initial estimates of total damage were about 10 billion baht,
There were no exact details of the cost available at this stage, but in the long run the problem would affect exports in these sectors as their products would not stay fresh without power.
Most freezing plants are located in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Trang, Pattani and Satun, he said.
Charoen Wangananont, secretary general of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said there was a blackout in Phang Nga and Phuket for about two hours last night. Its impact was minimal, but the government must make sure the problem does not occur again because it would erode tourists' confidence, he said.
Management of both Hat Yai and Phuket airports confirmed their airports were not affected by the blackout. Their backup electricity supply took over immediately the power outage occurred.
The emergency systems could provide 24 hours of electricity, but to ensure there was no possible problem in the future they had ordered an increase in capacity.
Somchart Pimtanapoonporn, chairman of the Association of Hat Yai-Songkhla Hoteliers, said tourism businesses such as major hotels in Hat Yai were not affected by the blackout because they all have backup electricity generators.
There was also an unexpected benefit. The power outage forced tourists to return early to their hotels and business boomed with restaurants and bars inside the buildings all crowded, said Mr Somchart.
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