Phuket's Transformation: Becoming Thailand's Premium Tourist Hub

[webfact]

Phuket Old Town. File photo

 

In a decisive move to elevate Phuket's status, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced strategic plans to develop the island province into a premier tourist destination. During a recent visit to the southern paradise, key discussions centred around combating ongoing challenges such as traffic congestion, flood management, and infrastructure enhancement.

 

Phuket, attracting almost a quarter of Thailand's international visitors, often serves as their primary entry into the country, bypassing Bangkok altogether. Recognising this, Prime Minister Paetongtarn emphasised the government's commitment to refining Phuket’s allure and encouraging higher tourist expenditure by transforming it into a luxury destination.

 

The prime minister highlighted Phuket's potential not only as a leisure hotspot but also as a venue for major international festivals, enhancing its global appeal. "Phuket is already famous among travellers. The aim is to polish this gem, increasing visitor spending and facilitating grand festivals," she remarked.

 

Tackling the island's notorious traffic woes is fundamental to this vision. Plans include new road constructions from Bang Muang Mai to the airport, expanding Highway No. 4027, and exploring an elevated road project at key highway intersections. Additionally, a study concerning the Sarasin Bridge's expansion is underway, promising smoother connectivity.

Addressing safety and local governance, Paetongtarn called for stringent measures against criminal activities and influential figures overshadowing the island's reputation. The persistent garbage disposal problem must also be managed effectively, with encouragements for community-based recycling initiatives.

 

The private sector sees promise in these governmental steps. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, at the helm of the Phuket Tourist Association, expressed support for the comprehensive development plan. He noted the necessity of government funding to propel infrastructure projects and promote sustainable tourism practices.

 

Thaneth stressed the significance of tourism as a vital component powering Thailand's economy, with Phuket standing out as a crowning jewel in tourism terms. The prime minister's visit has sparked promising dialogue between the public and private sectors, paving the way for proposals that could shape Phuket's future.

 

Highlighting the island's robust tourism economy, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub disclosed that during the festive period from December 28 to January 1, over 230,000 visitors graced Phuket, infusing more than 8 billion Thai Baht into the local economy. This surge resulted in an impressive hotel occupancy rate exceeding 80%, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-01-10

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

Errrrr....! Guess it´s a bit late for that. Phuket is a long gone pearl, that now only offers superficial beauty.

[Denim]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Phuket attracting almost a quarter of Thailand's international visitors, often serves as their primary entry into the country, bypassing Bangkok altogether.

 

Great . Now just remove the bridge connecting it to the mainland and this new Oblast can be quarentined from the rest of the country.

[ikke1959]

Good...... let all the tourists and especially Chinese and Korean tourist go to Phuket... and with the expensive THB and extreme prices Phuket will be very happy and the rest of Thailand too... Better one part of the country than the whole country drowning in tourists

[Hakuna Matata]

Chinese mafia and Russian mafia hub!

 

Stricter visa rules are required!

 

 

[black tabby12345]

Transformation of Phuket？

Pearl of the Andaman Sea certainly turning into Thailand's  capitol of Foreign Riffraffs as most ASEAN forum readers  know.

 

 

[Patong2021]

3 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

Errrrr....! Guess it´s a bit late for that. Phuket is a long gone pearl, that now only offers superficial beauty.

 

Beauty? I suppose that glossy sheen in Patong Bay from the 100 or so jet skis and motorboats gasoline runoff is beautiful to some. Perhaps others like the brown and black shades that appear when there is runoff into the bay. Or maybe its the delightful  aroma of car fumes in the choked  streets of the  tourist towns.

 

Phuket is ruined, destroyed, damaged for the forseable future. It is over developed, crrowded and unpeasant.

[wavodavo]

29 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Beauty? I suppose that glossy sheen in Patong Bay from the 100 or so jet skis and motorboats gasoline runoff is beautiful to some. Perhaps others like the brown and black shades that appear when there is runoff into the bay. Or maybe its the delightful  aroma of car fumes in the choked  streets of the  tourist towns.

 

Phuket is ruined, destroyed, damaged for the forseable future. It is over developed, crrowded and unpeasant.

Yeah nothing like it was 30 years ago.It is now totally ruined !!

[LivingNThailand]

Little Miss Muffet should have driven through the terrible stop & go traffic in Cherng Talay and then headed down to the traffic clogged Chalong Circle and tried to navigate Rawai to see what Phuket traffic is really like,  instead of sitting in a meeting.  They keep building and building in Rawai, but no traffic "plan".
 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The private sector sees promise in these governmental steps. Thaneth Tantipiriyakij, at the helm of the Phuket Tourist Association, expressed support for the comprehensive development plan

Not a comprehensive development plan.  Just a wish list.  A plan has actual realistic goals and objectives with defined and measurable actions. As outlined below.  .

A goal is an achievable outcome that is generally broad and longer term while an objective is shorter term and defines measurable actions to achieve an overall goal. While different, the two terms are often used in unison when working on a project. This is because both are essential to planning and executing a project.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The aim is to polish this gem, increasing visitor spending and facilitating grand festivals," she remarked.

Polish Richard III... nah

[Scottie12]

Phuket is ruining itself,construction lorries everywhere,traffic jams wherever you go and I mean horrendous traffic jams,pollution getting to a dangerous stage,prices through the roof,it's no longer a tropical paradise.

[Pompeygeezer]

In other words.... lets build even more hotels and condos and cover any remaining landscapes with concrete eyesores.