BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's health minister lashed out at "Western" tourists on Friday (Feb 7) for not wearing face masks and suggested that they be expelled from the country for putting others at risk during the coronavirus outbreak.

The outburst came as the kingdom faced steep losses over a drop in visitors from China, where the virus has killed more than 600 people and prompted sweeping travel restrictions.

Tourism accounts for 18 per cent of the country's gross domestic product and Chinese holidaymakers make up a quarter of total arrivals.