TAT Reports Tourists Still Enjoying Their Vacation In Phuket And Khao Lak

[Jai Dee]

TAT reports tourists still enjoying their vacation in Phuket and Khao Lak despite false reports on hotel closures

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has informed foreign media that hotels in Phuket and Khao Lak are still opened as usual after reports claimed that the Thai government ordered for the hotels to close temporarily due to high waves.

Mrs. Suwalai Pinpradab, the Director of TAT’s Southern Office, says the TAT has circulated letters to the TAT’s offices worldwide, clarifying the actual situation in Phuket province and Khao Lak in Phang Nga province. Previously, there were reports claiming that the Thai government prohibited tourists to stroll along the beaches in the two popular tourist destinations due to high waves. Mrs. Suwalai says such reports are false since hotels in Phuket and Khao Yai are still operating normally and tourists are also enjoying their vacation on the coastal areas.

According to the TAT, tourism during this year’s rainy season is expected to be very positive as tourists are continuing to pour into many tourist destinations of Thailand such as Patong Beach. Most foreign tourists in Thailand are from Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, as well as countries from the Middle East.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 May 2007

[NBT TV Phuket]

MiniVDO: Misled report on high water effects in Phuket resulted in tour cancellations while the TAT explains the current facts about pleasant beaches.

Last week some misleading or exaggerated widespread reports on the effects of high water tides and waves which splashed and damaged a few beach front restaurants in one location on Phuket island land, have resulted in the cancellation of a tour group from Taiwan. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand or TAT’s local office in Phuket, its staff have received enquiries from foreign tour agents in Taiwan Singapore & Malaysia as the overseas reports indicated severe damage and a much worse situation. The local TAT director Suwalai Pinpradap explained that the reports seemed to be misleading as the island only experienced a very high tide for two days and it did not cause much damage while the Hydrographic Service confirmed that it was a normal situation. Tourists in Patong and other major beaches were enjoying swimming at sea and sunbathing, while the TAT has sent explanations, facts and pictures of present beaches to its overseas offices and agents to tell travellers.

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=213904

Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & maybe later on Phuket Cable TV Channel 1 , Wednesday 23rd May 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket or contact Andaman [email protected]}

[Jai Dee]

Tourism rate in Phuket increasing rapidly

Tourism in Phuket (ภูเก็ต) has been growing rapidly, with 89 direct flights from foreign countries heading to Phuket this summer.

Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Office Region 4, Mrs. Suwalai Pimpradit (สุวลัย ปิ่นประดับ), says Phuket’s highest number of tourists was reported in 2006, showing 20% increase in the number of tourists from the previous year (2005). The number of tourists had risen from 4.05 million people to 4.7 million people within one year, with revenues generated at 85 billion baht in 2006.

This year'd tourism rate is still continuiing, leading to launch of direct flights from foreign countires flying direct into Phuket.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 May 2007

[keestha]

False reports about beach closures and so on definitely also found their way in the foreign press. Being a Khao Lak resident, I got a few worried phone calls from Europe.