THEN, a week after the riots, bureau staff members fanned out to key foreign markets, meeting with tour wholesalers and airline officials in Japan, Korea, Australia, Britain, Germany and France.

Long-running, reliable tour wholesalers in Thailand include the following:

Good ones will check with airlines, hotels and tour wholesalers regularly to find out if space has been released.

Tour Operator - A company, also known as a tour wholesaler, that contracts with transportation companies, hotels and other suppliers to create a tour package.

It serves a variety of customers, including airlines, tour wholesalers, sports teams, convention organizers, government agencies and corporate travel planners, and clients requiring contract and ad hoc cargo movement services.

During the winter, airlines and tour wholesalers are busy planning packages that combine air fare and hotel stays for spring through fall.

Travel agencies often offer packages combining air fare, hotel and possibly other vacation expenses, and tour wholesalers sometimes sell these packages directly to the public.

Among tour wholesalers that sell the excursion is Trade Wings (25 West 43d Street, New York, N.Y. 10036; 212-354-8328).

If your travel agent waffles on a refund for accommodations you have paid for in the storm areas, the question may be whether the tour wholesaler still has the money or has turned it over to the hotel.

We keep the tour wholesalers up to date on the situation, and so far Israel has not been checked off any list.